Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Volvo Mobile Example

Mobile 365 + Mindshare Rev Up Volvo's S40 Campaign
In this revolutionary, Europe-wide marketing campaign, mobile video was used to enhance an innovative strategy for the launch of the all-new Volvo S40. The successful implementation and positive results are a clear indicator that mobile video is well on the way to becoming an indispensable marketing tool. The campaign was conducted in France, Spain, the UK, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
"Mobile 365 is a one-stop-shop for advertising and media agencies, such as ourselves, who work with clients requiring local and international mobile campaigns," said Nicola Keay of Mindshare. "The Dalarö strategy was a great way to facilitate exposure of the teaser and documentary to more people across more countries and achieve the ultimate objective of driving traffic onto the Volvo site and exposure to the S40 vehicle."
The aim of the mobile marketing campaign was to build hype around "The Mystery of Dalarö" to raise awareness of the S40 amongst its target market of young, urban professionals. The call to action was the viewing of a video teaser meant to drive traffic to the Volvo Web site while exposing the new product to the target audience in order to increase sales.
Mobile 365 worked with integrated media agency Mindshare to create a mobile campaign that complemented the launch of the S40. "The Mystery of Dalarö," refers to a village so fascinated by the S40 that 35 of its inhabitants purchase the car on the same day.
To appeal to the specific target market, Volvo wanted to integrate its "Mystery of Dalarö" teaser trailer into content for a video mobile channel. This was achieved in two ways: by running the teaser on users' mobile phones, and by driving traffic to Volvo's Web site via an email link where the full "documentary" could be viewed and more details about the new car could be accessed.
Launch ads in traditional media featured a message inviting consumers to text "MYSTERY" to a short code in the UK. Mobile 365's advanced device recognition was able to seamlessly detect the sender's handset type to determine whether the mobile phone was equipped to receive video clips.
If so, the sender received a text message with a link enabling them to download the appropriate video tool to play the teaser trailer directly on their phone. The option was also given to view the full documentary on Dalarö by sending in an email address.
Mobile 365 was able to offer this mobile video solution through its long-standing relationship with video specialist Oplayo. Oplayo's Vidlet, comprising the player and the video clip, can be delivered directly to a user's phone.
When Mobile 365's device recognition technology encountered a phone that was not video-enabled, a text message requesting the user's email address was automatically sent. Upon receipt of the email address, the Volvo URL link was transmitted back to the sender.
Mobile 365 was able to validate incoming email addresses using a trusted partner's technology. This technology automatically validates incoming responses containing email addresses to confirm that they are the correct format before sending the email directly to the recipient. Once a consumer submits their details and the address is verified, an email is automatically sent with the Volvo advertisement as an attachment or URL link. This enabled the maximum number of users to view the Dalarö campaign, regardless of their handset type.
Outcome
49% of targeted participants downloaded "The Mystery of Dalarö" video campaign
33% of people downloaded the teaser onto their mobile phone
18% (unable to view the spot on their phone) gave their email address to receive the URL link
Mobile 365's unrivalled worldwide reach included more than 150 direct connections essential in the delivery of time-critical interactive campaigns guaranteed that Volvo was able to run the multi-regional campaign seamlessly across Europe, ensuring maximum impact despite different country specific short codes, tariffs, and network operators.
Three new Microsites -

Peugeot 107 in France

Chevrolet in Brazil

AlfaRomeo in France

Monday, June 27, 2005

New RangeRover Site - very good!

More on Adrants

Monday, June 20, 2005

Car Ads Work Best On Car Sites - Dynamic Logic

Automotive ad campaigns on business, news and sports websites have far less effect on purchase intent than those on car sites, according to new research by Dynamic Logic, AdWeek reports. The study also found that all types of sites provided lift in brand awareness, with auto sites only slightly outperforming business, news and sports sites. But, in driving purchase intent, ads on auto sites were twice as effective as those on business sites and news venues, and eight times more effective than on sports sites.
Accordingly, Dynamic Logic recommends ads on auto sites focus on persuasion rather than awareness. Most car buyers use the internet for research prior to buying, according to a Keynote survey issued in March. Inventory is tight at auto-specific sites, and some publishers have expanded into the market; in May, Forbes.com launched ForbesAutos.com, devoted to luxury cars, and CNET launched Car Tech, where consumers can compare vehicles based on technology features.

AdWeek Article

Monday, June 13, 2005

Mitsubishi Game on Yahoo

Via Adjab

Last month, we heard that Mitsubishi's ad campaign had kicked off for its 2006 Eclipse model, along with the "Driven to Thrill" tagline. On Friday, AdAge reports that Mitsubishi will have an online game, "Thrill Ride Challenge," which will be found on Yahoo!'s home page as of June 15 for two months.
Audi US Campaign Integrates Viral

Via Adjab

Everyone I read has nothing but hosannas for Audi's viral Art of the Heist campaign. Not only is everyone raving about how the car maker successfully integrated online, televisions and print aspects into the viral but, in a shocking turn of events, it appears the campaign was in fact viral. Audi didn't issue a press release saying they were running a viral campaign at the outset but instead slyly started it with flyers posted around New York and then built online and TV components as awareness snowballed. Too many of these so-called viral promotions are so easily tagged as corporately sponsored that the term has become almost meaningless. It's refressing to see someone do it right for a change.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Ford Launch Online Virtual Test Drive

Ford Motor Company is giving Web users a virtual test drive of its new high-end sports car, the Ford GT, via a downloadable racing game.

The new multi-level game, dubbed the Supercar Challenge, is aimed at reaching both potential Ford buyers and youngsters who might aspire to buy a Ford in the future. Wild Tangent built the game and JWT Detroit is handling the overall communications plan.

Players participate in time trials, head-to-head competitions and circuit races across nine tracks. Besides the GT, users also get to virtually drive the Ford Focus ST and the Mustang. Success in lower levels of the game allow people to successively move up to more powerful vehicles.

"We recognize that we need to reach and engage the next generation of automotive consumers, and downloadable games have proven to be a successful way to achieve this," said Marty Collins, general marketing manager of the Ford Division, in a statement.

Ford hopes to build a community around the game play. It's posting a global leaderboard that records the best times achieved in each of the virtual vehicles on each of the tracks. Users can also send scores to friends and keep track of how they're doing against one another.

Supercar Challenge is being distributed via the company's Web site, fordvehicles.com, and a one-level teaser demo version is available at gaming sites Shockwave.com and IGN.com.

Earlier this week, Ford reported May sales were down 11 percent compared to a year ago. The company has been in a prolonged sales slump, with the new Mustang -- which was up 47 percent over the year-ago period -- the only bright spot in the Ford brand lineup.

Friday, June 03, 2005

New online Peugeot Activity for the UK

Car manufacturer Peugeot has chosen digital agency E3 to develop an online campaign to support its latest diesel engine push.

Peugeot is launching a marketing campaign in July to raise awareness of its HDi diesel models.

E3’s online campaign will include an HDi microsite that will support the overall marketing communications and above-the-line elements of the campaign.

The campaign will also run in the print press and will emphasise Peugeot’s commitment to diesel and the technology and innovation behind it.

The campaign will focus on the driveability, style, performance and refinement of diesel, and will highlight the company’s technical credentials.

The campaign is the first project awarded to the Bristol-based agency after being appointed to the PSA Peugeot Citroën roster earlier this year.

Matt Ramsay, E3 director, said: “The strategy is about moving the decision to buy a diesel engine towards an emotional choice, rather than just a rational one."