Eight days and out!

Not too long ago the line workers in automobile factories used the phrase, “30 and Out!” meaning after thirty years one could retire with full pension and benefits. GM’s new executive paradigm beats the old by 29 years and 358 days without pension or benefits.

Mike Richards departed the once venerated company’s Buick division after just 8 days on the job. Eight days! Probably hadn’t found the way to his office in the Ren Cen or the men’s room in that short a time.

Another familiar name with strong GM ties that will be absent is Tony Hopp, CEO of Campbell-Ewald Company, Chevrolet’s looooooong time advertising agency and keeper of the diminishing brand flame. Hopp is being replaced by Bill Ludwig who moves from CCO – chief creative officer – to CEO. Talk about timing.

With so many empty and important organization chart rectangles to be filled – starting with the CEO title – and the recruiting of advertising agencies to try to resuscitate comatose brand marketing, head hunters and agency search firms must be salivating with joy.

Jeep’s new print ads, a short review

A conceptual ad that is beyond the comprehension of the reviewer.

The copy payoff line states, “I live. I ride. I am. JEEP”

My Review: Huh?

Chief Creative Officers at big agencies make BIG bucks.

According to a 117-page survey conducted by the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the trade group for ad agencies, CCO’s at large U.S. agencies billed $964 per hour to clients last year while senior account and media execs averaged $533 and $478 per hour.

The information was gathered between May and August 2009 for hourly rates billed in 2008 for 130 positions in 14 agency service departments, including some of the biggest and best-known advertising agencies of all sizes. Agency people may fudge on resumes, but agencies never inflate costs. At least they didn’t.

Compensation data has never had wide distribution for obvious reasons, but the current economic conditions combined with less profligate spending, over the top budgets, new media and cost cutting resulted in the release of the information.

What company’s pay the agency and how it is compensated has become a major topic in agency searches. Simultaneously, agency bean counters are looking at their bottom lines for obvious reasons. It is a compensation conundrum, isn’t it?

Much like the retail business with its “location, location, location” standard, the rate charged clients from agencies in the East is higher than the Midwest. The 4A report details four different regions with both average and mid-range labor billing rates detailed. There is more variance in the titles with C, EVP and SVP than there is at the veep level or below.

Christmas car ads

The usual variety of red ribbon bedecked cars, trucks and SUVs as Christmas or holiday gift giving continues unabated from year to year. But from my perspective, there isn’t a decent one in the lot from any brand this year. How many people are buying cars as gifts this or any year for that matter? Does anyone really care?

No surprise – ad spending drops in double digits

In a recent release, The Nielsen Company said U.S. advertising spending dropped 11.5% from January through September of this year compared to the same period in 2009 to $83.4 billion.

Only three ad-supported mediums have shown growth this year: cable TV, Hispanic cable TV and (surprise!) FSIs, free standing newspaper inserts – think coupons. Not surprisingly, automotive factory/dealer advertising lost 30.9% to $5.4 billion, and local auto ad volume dropped 26.9% to $2.4 billion. Here are all the numbers:

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Luxury brands annual advertising competition winners

Yes, Dorothy there is still a yellow brick road. Around the world, there are pockets of wealth no matter how bad things may seem to be and there’s a competition for the best advertising of luxury products. The World Luxury Award is the biggest global advertising award recognizing the very best of creativity in luxury advertising and communication.

Results of the 2009 competition honoring the companies, agencies and individuals responsible for the creation of excellent advertising and multimedia for Luxury Goods like Cars & Yachts, Fashion & Style, Perfume & Cosmetics, Beverages & Food, Bank, Insurance & Credit Card, Hotels & Holidays etc. were just announced.

In the Cars and Yachts category Mercedes-Benz was won with a visually exciting and interesting fashionista commercial and campaign.

To view all the category winners – some are exceptional click here.

It’s just weeks for Super Bowl advertising

Reports say Hyundai is the sole automaker with five commercials costing somewhere between $2.4 and $3.0 million per 30-second commercial when CBS broadcasts the event February 7, 2010. Toyota and Audi, who were advertisers this year, have yet to make their buy.

No news from the Detroit 3 about in-game spots, but GM is out as the sponsor of the Pete Rozelle Trophy, which has long been its showcase for GM  along with the MVP award, a new Cadillac Escalade going to the key player. Stay tuned.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Preview Party

Note what passes for garages...

The new 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, the smallest Rolls to date, was revealed to an A-list of prospects from entertainment, sports, business and trust funds and select auto journalists at the top of Mulholland Drive on the estate of a RR owner and car collector prior to media days and the official opening of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

“Despite the economic malaise, the Ghost has been selling,” noted Ian Robertson, BMW board member for marketing and sales and the former president and CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited. Continuing, he said, “The first 100 are coming off the new production line at the Goodwood factory and will be delivered to European customers this year.”

It was an evening of cars and car discussions as guests looked at the new Ghost and wandered among the collection of cars housed in glass and marble showcases. One cannot call them garages. The following day, Rolls-Royce was the host of a champagne reception at the LA Convention Center.