Saturday, March 21, 2015

The Big Idea

WHAT SETS US APART?
I asked myself what do driver's really want? What do they really care about? What gives them peace of mind?

"Finding a relevant insight into how people think, what they need or desire, and how they act, termed a consumer insight, is paramount for idea generations."
Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg.68 par. 4

According to The Association for Safe International Road Travel, nearly 1.3 million people died in road crashes each year. On average, a near 3,287 deaths per day. In addition, 20-50 million people are injured or disabled. More than half of all road traffic deaths occur among young adults. 

I believe safety has become the first priority when adults above the age of 25 are looking for a new car. Driver's carry important cargo: children, loved ones, family, friends, pets. 

I also believe driver's today look for convenience.  Everyone is looking for the easy road and way out.  Living such productive full lives with a million other things on your mind, the last thing you want to worry about is your car.

Lexus is the full package. It provides a luxury that sets you apart from other driver's on the road that makes you feel good. It is rated the No. 1 car in reliability and safety. It offers convenience and style all in one. These are the most important points i want to focus on throughout my campaign.
"An effective ad is driven by the underlying concept. An advertising idea— or concept—is the creative reasoning behind a solution." - Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg.68 par. 3


Demographic: EVERYONE!

Yes i know that a brand new Lexus can be considered a higher-end vehicle with a bigger price tag. I want to focus our new Lexus Models on ages 25 and up.

As for those ages 24 and under, a Lexus is still within budget. Most teen drivers and early twenties drivers buy used cars anyways because it falls within their price range. I am 26 and bought my first Lexus at the age of 25 for only $20,000. You can find older models with the same safety features and benefits as a newer model for a great price. Another plus is that most of these pre-owned cars still have great warranty's in tact and are certified.

"A Certified Pre-Owned Lexus offers all the  benefits new Lexus owners enjoy. From our 2 year warranty/100k miles total vehicle mile warranty, to financing and leasing offers that are similar to new-vehicle offers, you'll find our program- and the vehicles themselves- reflect the exceptional quality you expect from Lexus. Discover the benefits of Lexus CPO, only at your Lexus dealer." - Lexus official site.

With that being said, this is a great option for parents to by their younger teen drivers to keep them safe on the roads. It is also a great choice for our younger generations to be able to afford a beautiful luxury car that also keeps them safe and in style.

I think price is the one thing that scares consumers, but that is only because they see the newer models on TV commercials and think, yes i want reliability and safety, but i just can't afford it. Well thats not true. I'm going to highlight the face that Lexus does not only produce new expensive cars but our older cars are priced for those who want the same benefits.

The one campaign i was extremely impressed by was Subaru. There commercials reflect not only their new cars but their older cars as well. Stating you can drive a Subaru forever, that you can pass these cars down from generation to generation. I plan to use somewhat the same idea but incorporate that safety is the key to keeping drivers more alert and aware when purchasing a car.

"Do you ever walk into a business establishment and think, Boy, if I owned this place, I would handle thinks differently! 
That type of commentary points to the advantage of seeing a product, service, or group “from the user's point of view,” and that can lead to an insight into the advantages a brand (or a group) has over other brands (or groups)." Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg.70 par. 4

I want to get everyone involved and educated on what Lexus stands for. I want Lexus to be known as the safest luxury vehicle that is also affordable without losing it's value!

In the past, Lexus has branded themselves as luxury styled and with that comes a very narrow demographic. Their commercials consisted of young 25 year old models driving in the nighttime city streets without a car in the world. This really exerts the rest of society. Not everyone wants that feel. Why would a 34 old mother of two think, 'Hey, thats what i want to be doing!' Her first thought is actually her children. Is is safe as well as stylish? YES IT IS. Then Lexus tried another approach by throwing children into their ads. A gorgeous model couple and their two kids walking out of their mansion to find a beautiful luxury car in their driveway. This was the wrong way to go about getting the safety issue out there as well. This gives the viewers the idea that you have to literally be rich in order to afford a safe car like this and sends them looking across the street at their nearest Ford dealership.



This YouTuber quotes "Where rich people give each other cars for Christmas." Thats not a good look. This is exactly why I want to focus on the norm in society. 




My campaign will focus on the normal people in society. The mother, the senior citizen, the children. I don't want commercials to portray a certain demographic of young pretty people with money because society consists of so many other groups. Thats the one thing Ford does right and thats the big things i will change for Lexus in my campaign.
Another thing I am going to change is the website. When you visit the Lexus website and click on features, it gives in bold sub-headliners links to why the vehicle is important and beneficial. A list of these sub-headliners consist of:
CRAFTED ELEGANCE
GET MORE, USE LESS
THE ULTRA LUXURY PACKAGE
AGGRESSIVELY STYLISH
EXCEPTION COMFORT
ASSERTIVE HANDLING
HANDS-FREE TECHNOLOGY
DRIVER'S SUPPORT
"In advertising, when you draw upon common experiences—funny, sad, bittersweet—people usually relate to them. The response from people should be something like: “Yep, that's how it is!” An ad can make an experience a communal event, making us feel that we've all participated. Their reality is our reality, and we feel a kinship with the brand or cause being advertised."Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg.82 par. 4

WHY is safety and reliability not one of it's biggest features? If you scroll down to other links it gives you in full a description of it's safety features. I just feel they should really be highlighted.



SAFETY:
- ADVANCED Airbag System
       -front passenger's twin-chamber airbags (SRS)
       -Front and rear seat-,punted side airbags (SRS)
       -Driver's and front passenger's knee airbags (SRS)
       -Front and rear side curtain airbags (SRS)
-Lane Departure Alert - using camera's to monitor visible lane markings and is designed to warn you if you are drifting so that you steer back into the lane.
-Traction Control - senses the onset of wheel spin, the selectively apples the brakes and automatically transfers power to the driving wheel with better grip.
-Backup Camera - placed above the license plate to give a better view of rear objects unlike regular backup cameras. It also beeps when you the driver is getting to close to an object.
-Intuitive Parking Assist - sensors integrated into the front, rear and corners of the bumpers for extra precaution.
-High-Intensity Discharge Headlamps
-Automatic Projector Beam Headlamps
-Vehicle Stability
-Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
-Electronic Brakeforce System
-Smart Stop Technology
-Whiplash Injury Lessening
-Child Restraint Seat
-Rigid Body Structure with Crumple Zones
-Seat Belts - Three-point seat belts for all seating positions, pre-tensioners with force limiters for front and outboard rear seats. Emergency locking retractor and locking retractor.
-Rain-sensing Intermittent Windshield Wipers
-Water Repellant Glass
-Vehicle Theft-Deterrent
-Lexus Enform Safety Connect

NOW THATS MORE LIKE IT ON SAFETY!!! Blows your fully-loaded Ford Fusion out of the water for the same price. How impressive and it comes on STANDARD models!

Competitive Analyses

                    The Competitor - The 2015 Ford Fusion

Ford offers a variety of makes and models. It is also one of the leading American-made care companies.  What sets Ford apart from other companies definitely stands out.

Ford has a certain appeal that can almost relate to anyone.  From the struggling college student, to the stay at home mother all the way to elder lady across the street and the hard working father.  Ford has something to offer to everyone. They use this to their best ability.  Since they have so many different makes and models, and because they are affordable to almost anyone, Ford has been a leading manufacturer.

Ford gives off that all-American feel and is known as "the most loyal auto brand." Made in Detroit, Michigan, most American's find it necessary to buy an American-made car. Doing otherwise makes them less patriotic, as if they are supporting a foreign countries push to take over the automotive industry. This gives Ford the extra advantage. Also, because the cars are made on home soil, they have the ability to knock the prices down since there is no overseas shipping involved. Almost everywhere in American you can purchase a Ford within 2000 miles on ground.


"effective advertising could persuade you that a particular brand is better or more appealing than the competition." -Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg. 3 par. 4
Easier said than done.  Ford says a million things to make them sound like the number type of vehicle to purchase. It is the safest car, the most reliable care, the best bang for your buck. It's definitely easier said than done though. Nowadays, every car no matter what brand, has to go through extensive testing to make sure the car is "safe." 

Breaking it down to a certain make and model, I chose the 2015 Ford Fusion to compare.

MECHANICAL:
-Engine: 2.5L iVCT
-Transmission: 6 Speed Automatic with SelectShift
-Transmission with Driver Selectable Mode
-Front-Wheel Drive
-3.07 Axle Ratio
-500CCA Maintenance-Free Battery with Run Down Protection
-Gas-Pressurized SHock Absorbers
-Front and Rear Anti-Roll Bars
-Electric Power-Assist Speed Sensing Steering
-16.5 Gal. Fuel Tank
-Single Stainless Steel Exhaust with Chrome Tailpipe
-Strut Front Suspension with Coil Springs
-Multi-Link Rear Suspension with Coil Springs
-4-Wheel Disc Breaks with 4-Wheel ABS, Brake Assists, Hill Hold Control and Electric Parking Brake
-Brake Actuated Limited Slip Differential

EXTERIOR:
-Wheels: 17" Paint Aluminum
-Tires: P235/50R17
-Clear Coat Paint
-Power Heated Side Mirrors
-Chrome Grill
-Speed Sensitive Variable Intermittent Wipers
-Trunk Rear Cargo Access
-Fully Automatic Projector Beam Halogen Daytime Running Headlamps w/delay-off
-Light Tinted Glass
-LED Brake Lights

ENTERTAINMENT:
-3 LCD Monitors in the front
-Radio AM/FM MP3 Single-CD with 6 Speakers
-SYNC Communications and ENtertainment System
-911 Assist
-SIRIUS Satellite Radio

The Interior of the 2015 Ford Fusion offers a 5 person seating arrangement. Manual air control. Your standard vehicle has full cloth seating and headliner along with door trim inserts. Metal-looking shift knobs and handles.


SAFETY:
-ABS Traction Control
-Side Impact Beams
-Low Tire Pressure Warning
-Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Airbags
-Curtain 1st and 2nd Airbags
-Rear Child Safety Locks
-Rear Camera - Standard
-Audio Volume Control
-Early Low Fuel Warning

IS THAT IT?!?!


"Once competition is introduced in the form of another brand, then a brand or group has to “own” benefits, differentiate, or make grander claims than the others."-Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg. 108 par. 5
benefits, differentiate, or make grander claims than the others.Ford states:The Ford Fusion is a mid-sized sedan and must therefore compete in an incredibly competitive segment, going up against HEAVYWEIGHTS such as TOYATA."

STARTING PRICE - $22,000
Ford also states: "On the other end of the price spectrum, the Fusion can be outfitted with a variety of luxury equipment, providing a sensible alternative to the entry-level cars sold by several luxury marques."

My opinion, if you are going to spend the money to get a fully-loaded Ford Fusion, why not just by an actual luxury car that gives you these options on a standard entry price? Plus it is 10x's safer!

Ford Fusion (standard) -$22,000 (fully-loaded) - $32,000 - $36,630
Lexus ES 350 (standard) - $34,000 - (fully-loaded)$40,065

*Prices found on official Ford and Lexus website.


Lets talk reliability. Lexus was rated #1 in reliability, and Ford was near the bottom. "If reliability is the No. 1 trait your next car must have, you may then opt to visit your nearest Lexus dealership before considering anything from the Ford dealership across the street as far as Consumer Reports is concerned." (http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/10/lexus-no-1-in-reliability-ford-near-bottom/
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/10/lexus-no-1-in-reliability-ford-near-bottom/)

The Ford Fusion was rated No. 26

"Fully understanding the strategy and the competition before conceptual design is critical. It is also helpful to state the strategy in one or two sentences and keep it in front of you while you develop a concept. "-Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley pg. 73 par. 2

MY PLAN: I plan to note in my campaign that the standard Lexus ES350 not only offers everything that comes on a fully-loaded Ford Fusion, but more! 

Slogan - "Where style and safety meet the road."

Lexus ES 350


"Where style and safety meet the road."

"What's creative about “Got milk?” Well, Jeff Goodby could have written “Do you have any milk?” or “Got any milk?” Both of these say “Got milk?” but neither says it memorably. The casualness of the line adds to the credibility."-Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley  pg. 102 par. 1
I believe "Where style and safety meet the road" is very memorable.

My quote for my Lexus ES350 says it all in just a few short words. It lets the consumer know that this is one of the safest cars on the market. Also, it is one of the most stylish cars as well. It is classy and elegant without substituting safety. Together they combine, hitting the road and leaving the driver with an unforgettable experience.


When creating my slogan, I knew i had to explain the car using minimal words. With that thought in mind, i used the two most important aspects of the vehicle.


"Strive for ideas that are integrated at the core and work gracefully together between platforms." -Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley  pg. 192 par. 2


"The tagline is the catchphrase that conveys the brand or group's benefit or spirit and expresses an umbrella theme or strategy for a campaign or a series of campaigns." -Landa, R. (2010). Advertising by Design: Generating and Designing Creative Ideas Across Media. Wiley  pg. 102 par. 3


Saturday, February 28, 2015

Week Seven EOC - The Pitch



The all-new 2015 Lexus ES 350. "Crafted without compromise or restraint, the ES 350 combines the exquisite luxury of class-leading* legroom, convenient technologies and an aggressive exterior design with the exhilaration of dynamic handling." -Lexus
I chose this car because i drive a 2009 Lexus ES350 in hopes that this year i can finally trade my car in for a newer version. This car has style and beauty, it is luxurious meets connivence. Not only is it fast but smooth. It is reliable and the safest car you can possibly buy.

I want to compare the Lexus ES350 to the Ford Fusion. Compare the difference in safety, price, and reliability. Look at each campaign and figure out why they have either succeed or failed in the past.

Growing up I was raised by you average American dad.  The guy that only drove Ford and pounded it in my head that American-made cars are the only reliable choice.  I was born in Detroit, Michigan, recognized as the historic heart of American-made automotive industry.  That also put a ton of pressure on me to drive what i was told to drive.  After going through 4 Ford Taurus, 1 Ford Fusion, and 1 Mercury Milan I finally decided to switch over to a Lexus ES 50 against my father's wishes. I 100% feel that i made the best decision possible.

In my project I want to compare American to Foreign made as well as how Lexus continues to to build and produce a car that I have completely fallen in love with. I will compare older Ford cars from 2009 to it's 2015 version as well as with the Lexus. Considering I already owned a brand new 2009 Ford Fusion, this will be easy to compare to my recent 2009 Lexus ES350.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Week Six EOC - Allan Sherman

Allan Sherman - Chim Chim Cheree







Ban-Lon
– is s a trademarked, mufti-strand, continuous-
filament synthetic yarn
Blue Magic Whitener - laundry detergent


Melmac – type of plastic dinnerware commonly used from the 1950’s to the 1970’s. It could be molded into many different shapes and was extremely durable.
Fluoristan – a chemical stannous fluoride that cleans and whitens teeth. http://youtu.be/PeXA9_0SBw4 (commercial)
Jolly and Green – Johnny Jolly, jolly green giant http://youtu.be/rBHYbCncz1w (commercial)

Acrylan – natural fibers from sheep or wool http://youtu.be/lYmulpA_RMc (commercial)


Week Five EOC - The Big Idea



This ad that aired this past Super Bowl 2015 was honestly one of the best ads I have ever seen.  In the short commercial, it shows the it zooming in on The University of Phoenix Stadium, with sports announcers in the background getting the viewer back to the game. All of a sudden the TV screen starts cutting out and there is a blackout.

When I was watching this ad, I was working a Super Bowl party at the Marquee Nightclub.  There were over 700 people crammed in there with a ton of TV's.  When the commercial aired and the TV's went out, literally everyone in the nightclub screamed and panicked for that short 5 seconds. Everyone thought it was another real power shortage like last years game.  The reaction was priceless. After those scary 5 seconds, a saving message in white appeared. "What would you do if your TV went out?" Well it's a good thing that the new Chevy Colorado has Wi-Fi to stream the game!

WHO - The genius of the commercial is that it caught EVERYONE's attention. It being a Chevy Colorado truck commercial, they are targeting all truck lovers and those who really want a truck. Even the commercial states, "you know you want a truck." This puts in everyone's head that they really want a truck.
WHAT - The commercial advertised for the 2015 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, the Chevy Colorado.  It's a mid-size 4 wheel drive truck with all the amenities of a luxury truck at a very reasonable price. When they caught everyone's attention with the commercial, they were also letting you know that everyone could also afford it.
WHERE- It takes place at the 201 Super Bowl game. The truck is eventually shown driving down the city streets.
WHEN- 2015. The Trendy Truck of the Year.
WHY- They used a scare method to catch everyone's attention, followed by a quiet 5 page message on why to buy the truck, and it ends with pumping loud rock music to get your blood running again after the message. It had a high-low-high rhythm and held the views attention very well.
HOW- They used last years incident to scare the viewers into thinking there was another blackout at the game again. Last year the blackout lasted for 34 minutes. Football lover's literally sat staring at a blank screen for what seemed like forever! This obviously stayed in everyone's head and the fact that it could happen again and pretending it did really got a great reaction out of the viewer and left a memorable imprint in their minds.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Week Four EOC - Women in Contemporary Ads



Today it’s really not about if she can cook, if she can clean, if she will be a regular housewife that stays home taking care of the kids and keeping up with the house.  That’s not what men really look for anymore.  Sex has just become such a huge part of todays lifestyle.  Everywhere you look, sex sells. Forty, fifty years ago, a women in an ad was selling her lifestyle.  People were told what to buy and they bought it. It was the norm. Today though, women are considered an equal for the most part. In this ad, a very attractive women with crazy curly blonde hair in a bra is selling a bra to women.  The ad reads, I cant cook, who cares? It is telling women that who cares if you can't master a domestic life, as long as you look hot. You can look like this if you buy this wonder-bra and get away with anything.



This ad screams contemporary new-age.  If you were to post an ad like this back in the 50's, 99% of society would probably be offended by this ad. Today, it's just another ad. Although the women is still drinking an NON-alcoholic beer, its still sending a confusing message. Most women take their pregnancy very seriously, and this just shows how much times have changed. The image shows a very pregnant girl wearing barely anything, short shirts and a crop top who is enjoying a non-alcoholic beer. Kind of twisted. Still though, it would not cause that big of a controversy as it would a long time ago.



This is one of my favorite ads. A little different from others but it sends a very strong message about women today. On the left there is a Miss Oregon in the beauty pageant, and on the right is the same girl dressed in soccer gear.  In today's world women can do anything and everything men can do. It's not shocking to see women playing the boy role and whats considered their activities.  Women have accomplished so much in the past 40 years. It took years ad years to gain the respect we have today. This ad is empowering and reminds women that you can do anything, that the sky is the limit.