Bring back Phil! Bring Back Phil! Bring Back Phil! Please!

Needed mad man?

It’s been nine years since Philip Guarascio retired as vice president of corporate advertising and marketing of General Motors and, in my opinion, that void has never been filled.

Phil was and is an advertising pro with Hall of Fame credentials, innovative programs and significant accomplishments earned during his tenure at the helm of GM’s advertising. Following his retirement, he’s only added to his resume of accomplishments.

Guarascio did more to shake-up the automotive agency-client relationship than any other individual when he arrived in Detroit from Benton and Bowles in 1985 by slashing commission rates, instituted negotiating media rates, then unheard of, and, most importantly making the GM advertising function more scientific and accountable. Then he retired and professionalism seemed to go out the door with him.

Glory-hungry Motors needs a professional marketer-mad man – like Phil or an equal, if there is one — to create a clearly focused and driven marketing environment that fosters creative excellence in all communications, no matter the medium.

I do recall another executive of a certain age, Phil’s now 67 or 68, about ten years ago who was recalled to develop better products for GM. Doesn’t advertising deserve equal treatment? Now is the time to at least pursue the return of Phil – he has the knowledge, experience and ability to get it right the first time. He’s probably very happy away from Detroit, but given the right incentives, who knows?

AmEx Deal for the Detroit Auto Show

My monthly bill contained a folder detailing several experiences only available to card holders including a special on the NAIAS. For only $300 per person or 37,500 Membership Reward points, American Express will provide, “VIP access to the 2010 Auto Show, including an EcoDrive Experience at the wheel of the latest “green” vehicles.

Join Chef Wolfgang Puck for a gourmet buffet and get a sneak peek at some of the hottest luxury automobiles from leading carmakers. Enjoy reserved seating at the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards, plus registration at the MGM Grand Detroit (and rooms for an additional fee) with transportation to scheduled events.”

The package does not include the black tie gala.

Hyundai goes big time in New York with Times Square board

What's your excuse?

Times Square in New York, the crossroads of the world now includes Hyundai’s new electronic billboard with not just one, but three electronic displays. The front display has two LED screens showing an updated stream of Hyundai video content, flanked on each side by two vinyl banners.

The first Hyundai ads to be placed in Times Square feature Genesis Coupe in videos that feature the car flying around the world-famous Road Atlanta racetrack, drifting through corners and accelerating down straight-aways. A question is posed: “What’s your excuse?” Viewers are prompted with “But officer. . .,” then given a series of fill-in-the-blank responses including “I always drive fast when I hear opera!” “I was trying to activate the flux capacitor” and “I get muscle spasms in the leg.”

With it’s location at 2 Times Square it’s certain to be seen, especially during the famous New Years celebration.

A trio of commercials that play quite well

• Danica Patrick describes the wreck in her first Indy Series race. It is frank, moving and very engaging. Click here
• These are race and exotic cars from Forza – it’s an open door inviting one to play their new game … and everyone is a potential winner. Click here
• Everyone knows dogs chase cars, but dogs also love to ride in cars. This isn’t a car commercial, just a commercial featuring dogs in cars that’s lots of fun. Click here

Cadillac changes its logo … again.

Cadillac is out to do better for itself, and that covers everything — cars, advertising, perception, — and a new logo is part of it, albeit a tiny modification from the old one.

Click to Enlarge

The last redesign introduced the Modernista’s “Art & Science” campaign in 1999, shedding Ye Olde Worlde elements for a muted polish, to suggest “high technology and elegance.” A campaign that did not exactly work wonders, in retrospect.

The new logo adds color with gloss and texture – can you pick the new one?

After Cadillac selects its new ad agency from the group just announced,  BBH, NY; DDB, Chicago, IL; Gotham, NY; The Martin Agency, Richmond, VA; McKinney, Durham, NC and Publicis, NY, I wonder if they will live with the new version or develop still another logo.

Click to Enlarge

And for those who may have forgotten the previous Caddy logo without the ducks that became one of the worse ad campaigns in automotive history here’s a graphic look backwards to compliment the newest version.

More car logo changes

The new Chrysler logo is a significant departure from the old PentaStar corporate logos.

Bye, bye PentaStar?

It is also a significant graphic feature on the company’s Auburn Hills, MI headquarters. Wonder if the PentaStar stays?

McDonald replaces Wilhite to run HFM U.S.’s Automotive Group next year

Alain Lemarch and, the president & CEO, Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. announced that Dillon McDonald has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Jumpstart Automotive Group, replacing current CEO and automotive industry veteran Steve Wilhite, who will remain as an advisor and on the Board of Directors.

A release notes, “As CEO of Jumpstart, McDonald will be responsible for creating the leading integrated marketing solutions company for the automotive industry. Jumpstart has amassed the largest reach and the best brands in the industry through partnerships with premier in-market automotive publishing partners Consumer Guide Automotive, Vehix, JD Power Autos, Shopping.com, CarSoup.com, HybridCars, CarGurus, TrueCar, US News Rankings and Reviews, and the wholly owned brands of Road & Track and Car and Driver.”

Lamborghini’s new molto costoso mobile phone from Tag Heuer

A great watch brand, Tag Heuer known for the iconic Steve McQueen watch and Tiger Woods endorsement ads —  has created – the Meridiist Automobilli Lamborghini phone, a new limited edition cell phone to celebrate the year Automobili Lamborghini was founded, 1963. Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it?

The phone tribute to this seminal event references the super sports car: It case is  black titanium carbide coated 316L stainless steel, the design the same as on the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640’s V12 engine block. The back of the device is engraved with its limited edition number while the keyboard is customized  with Automobili Lamborghini’s trademark Taurus bull on the steel central button. A variety of luxurious leathers in several colors can be selected to enhance the style of the phone.

The price? A mere $6,300.