Tag: hires

Videos: Ford hires wisecracking, handsy puppet to promote 2012 Focus

Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Ford, Humor

Doug the puppet as Ford Focus spokesperson

Doug is announced as spokesperson of the 2012 Ford Focus – Click above to watch video after the jump

Ford is very excited about its all-new 2012 Focus. The model will be the focus of a major advertising campaign moving forward, and the automaker has apparently decided to hire a spokesperson to travel the country and talk all-things Focus. Well, we say ‘spokesperson,’ but Ford is going in a very weird direction here because they’ve enlisted the help of a puppet… named Doug.

If you think that sounds ridiculous, you’re not alone. We first heard the concept and nearly spit coffee straight into the screens of our laptops. Then Ford shared the first videos and we again nearly spit out our coffee… because the first clips are hilarious thanks to Doug’s waggish and flirty behavior.

It’s not easy to make a puppet funny, but Ford has gone out and hired some serious talent. The director of the first clip, which you can see after the jump, is none other than Paul Feig. He was a writer on Freaks and Geeks and has directed episodes of The Office, Parks and Recreation, Weeds, 30 Rock and Arrested Development. Paul is not alone on this project, however, as the collective resume of the writing team is filled with titles like The Simpsons, Borat, Reno 911 and Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

The first clip features Ford ‘officials’ announcing Doug as its new spokesperson. John Ross Bowie, writer for the campaign and otherwise known as Barry Kripke on Big Bang Theory, plays the role of Doug’s handler. Ford found Doug after he was seen in a series of clips that went viral. Doug foiled a robber, saved someone having a heart attack on a bus and helped a woman choking in a restaurant. Click past the jump to watch the three Focus videos, along with a brace of other Doug videos.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Videos: Ford hires wisecracking, handsy puppet to promote 2012 Focus

Videos: Ford hires wisecracking, handsy puppet to promote 2012 Focus originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab hires Saabs United blogger Steven Wade as social media guru

Filed under: Etc., Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Saab

Saabs United

Steven Wade has been cranking out blog posts about all things Saab for the last six years at the helm of Saabs United, a blog he helped create. Eventually, the strains of a family, full-time job and keeping Saabs United afloat meant that selling the site was necessary. Meanwhile, ‘Swade,’ as he is known, decided to quit his day job to focus on his love for all things Saab.

With the day job out of the way, the newly unemployed Wade has now been picked up by Saab to handle social media duties as the company tries to connect more with its customer base. Needless to say, this is a huge step for Wade, who will be helping Saab connect with its loyal base of customers and fans on an intimate level.

We can’t think of a better man for the job, given Swade’s immense talent, knowledge of Saabs, of love for the brand. Good luck and Godspeed. The automaker’s official statement is yours for the reading after the jump. Thanks for the tip, Johan!

[Source: Saab via Saabs United]

Continue reading Saab hires Saabs United blogger Steven Wade as social media guru

Saab hires Saabs United blogger Steven Wade as social media guru originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Crossover, Lincoln, Celebrities, Luxury

Mad Men’s John Slattery, Lincoln’s new pitchman. Follow the jump to watch the new TV spot.

Lincoln wants everyone in TV land to know about its freshened model lineup. To grab their attention, they’ve gone with a heavy hitter from a pretty popular ad agency to shill the 2011 MKX: Roger Sterling, from Sterling Cooper Draper Price. OK, fine… not Roger Sterling, but John Slattery, the actor who portrays him on AMC’s Mad Men.

Slattery will plug the new “Smarter than Luxury” campaign, which launches during coverage of the Ryder Cup golf tournament. The focus of the ads is to highlight the technology and craftsmanship that are put into each new Lincoln vehicle. The TV spots will be backed up by a full print campaign as well, highlighting the 2011 Lincoln MKX and the MKZ hybrid.

Mad Men is a huge hit, so it’s a no-brainer for Lincoln to tap into that popularity. Mercedes-Benz has already signed Jon Hamm (a.k.a. Mad Men’s Don Draper) as the new voice-man for its commercials. Hop the jump to see Slattery pitch the latest from Lincoln.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials

Video: Lincoln hires a Mad Man for new commercials originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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