A grand slam for Federer, but what about Lexus?
Lexus Continues Sponsorship of US Open Men’s Singles: Will Federer Win?
Every sport has its championship event, in tennis that event is the US Open, the biggest spectator event in the world and the fourth and final Grand Slam event. For five years Lexus has been the sponsor of: Men’s Singles matches.
And Lexus’ sponsorship has been a good luck talisman event for the reigning champion, Roger Federer who has won the tournament five years in a row. This year Federer is going for a mini-slam as he has won the French Open and Wimbledon this year, surpassing the record of Pete Sampras.
If the Swiss native wins the 2009 Open he will set a new record. The Lexus “L” logo will be emblazoned on the center court net, as Deborah Senior, corporate communications manger of Lexus will present Federer (or whomever wins) with the winner’s check of $1.5 million dollars on CBS-TV, Sunday, September 13th. In addition to the monetary prize and the championshipw trophy, the men’s singles champion will also receive the keys to a new hardtop convertible Lexus IS C.
The company’s contract expires this year, but a spokesperson said negotiations are underway to renew this high level sponsorship. It’s interesting to note that when men’s matches are not played at Arthur Ashe Stadium but in the outlying courts, the “L” logo does not appear, which may explain why I’ve seen Mercedes-Benz commercials when matches from these sites are broadcast.
In past years Lexus has run television commercials around the men’s events with such famous players as John McEnroe or former Lexus endorser, Andy Roddick appearing for the iconic luxury brand.
Lexus has taken the art of event marketing to new heights for visitors and customers to the Billy Jean King Tennis Center on Long Island. Lexus owners pulling into venue parking lots are directed to a special parking area reserved for Lexus owners. Most have been invited to visit the Lexus skybox to watch the action at the Arthur Ashe Stadium and enjoy beverages and food. I’ve been to the box and can vouch for the amenities and sight lines – spectacular.
The thousands of tennis fans who attend the fortnight event are aware of Lexus with special posters, banners and a unique display of a huge tennis ball where visitors can have their picture made and emailed to them.
To enhance the experience when not watching tennis, Lexus will entertain guests throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. In the Lexus Performance Pavilion, where they can have their picture taken with a tennis ball-themed IS 350 covered in tennis ball felt. They can then download their personal photo online and forward to friends.
On the weekends, visitors will have the chance to get autographs from several tennis legends like Ivan Lendl, Billie Jean King, Tracy Austin and Martina Navratilova. Lexus has three vehicles on display: the new hardtop convertible IS C, HS 250h hybrid and RX 450h hybrid on display.
Sunday, September 13 has been designated Lexus Day. This is the date when the men’s singles and women’s doubles champions are crowned. A special souvenir will be gift — a free Lexus US Open commemorative hat.– will be given to all seated in Arthur Ashe Stadium
As the Official Vehicle of the 2009 US Open, Lexus will provide Lexus vehicles as VIP transportation for players, coaches and special guests which is a great perk given New York’s traffic jams on the expressways.
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Public Service Announcement: STOP KIDS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
Schools across the country are scheduled to open after Labor Day, if not already open but unfortunately, there are no white Sam Brownie belted traffic safety people inside cars car to stop kids from texting while driving.
Recent studies show texting is as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, talking on a cell phone and other eyes-off-the-road distractions. The government and many states are behind initiatives to end. The best, most terrifying don’t do it message can be seen in this video produced in Great Britain. Warning: it’s not for the feint of heart: Click to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYTXjD_YOPk
There is a New GM Commercial I Like — Cadillac
A few years ago, Leo Burnett the last iteration of MJ&A was dethroned as the Cadillac advertising agency and replaced by Modernista (former Arnold execs) of Boston. I attended the special preview in an urban loft in the burbs of Detroit and was underwhelmed. That reaction has continued through the years until now.
The newest Cadillac ad involves the view from the very start with a restaging of the “launch” of a speeding rocket, except that it is a Cadillac that goes through several states changing models as it moves across the desert floor. Predictable? Yes. Clichéd? Yes, to that, too, but the commercial is exceptionally well produced and the 30-second on-air version flies by. Pun intended. Click to http://creativity-online.com/work/cadillac-reignition/17188 Wonder if BL likes this one?
Worst Ad of this Century, any Century
The worst ad ever?
This is not a knock on Brazil. It is a lovely country, Rio is one of the best vacations spots in the world, San Paulo is an architectural wonder, the music is sensational, the food incredible, the Caiparinha almost better than a Martini and some of the most beautiful women on earth, but DDB Brazil created an ad a couple years ago that should have been destroyed and all those involved in its creation should be institutionalized in a favela for life.
In the print version, shown here, the ad is terrible – hundreds of airplanes headed to the island of Manhattan pre-September 11. The video is repugnant, revolting and reprehensible, a terrible reminder of that horrible day. Click to
http://creativity-online.com/work/wwf-tsunami-(tvc)/17193
The ad you will notice has the World Wildlife Federation logo in the top right hand corner, but it is not the advertiser. Apologies have been issued by DDB-Brazil, DDB in the U.S., WWF in Brazil and the US.
The lesson is simple. Brazil should stick to designing bikinis for Impanema Beach, and let the advertising be done by others.
Sneak Preview: Mini Coupe Concept Intro at Frankfurt
Get a sneak peak of the introduction of the new Mini Coupe Concept which will be introduced at the 63rd
Frankfurt International Auto Show on September 15. The video includes footage of the vehicle and its interior, as well as commentary from MINI’s Head of Design, Gert Hildebrand.
http://rcpt.yousendit.com/734401835/f3bf7099e999bfa141f71fed75937c54
Fiat-Chrysler (or is it Chrysler-Fiat) is Ad Agency Shopping
It seems people in the advertising industry community n Detroit is going to take another serious hit as BBDO will not get a go-pass-go card following the ad agency review instituted this week.
A former BBDOer I asked, replied via email, under the condition the response remain anonymous wrote, “The few people I still know at BBDO but everyone over there seem to be keeping their lips sealed. Except for the suck-ups (and apparently clueless) who are all boasting about how they’re going to keep the account and how they’re turning out great (GAG!) work.”
The problem is not many people in the ad business in America know what Fiat’s advertising looks like around the world. To help those agencies involved in the selection scrum here is a sampling of recent Fiat commercials. Just click away.
Dad’s Car – new twist on an old story
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4bQbxpcEjk
Big time star does a car commercial = big $$$$$
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYuICvf-HMA&NR=1
Transformer – long before Chevy, but following Citroen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEZrnqO-h08&NR=1
The F1 driver Michael Schumacher finds his ride
Cow knows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmdTAVUyXpI
A new discover by Columbus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpIvxIID5M0
The Apps Have It!
Coming next week: A comprehensive list of the automotive iPhone apps available from manufacturers and other sources for owners of the unique smart phone.