tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70659946692663858512024-02-20T09:03:33.056-08:00Adventures in Automotive Advertising - The Ad Blog of Engelhardt & Partners AdvertisingEPADV.COM's place for blogging about trends in automotive advertising, cool ad campaigns and how the world of automotive marketing is constantly changing...for the better. <p>
<b>Contributing Authors:</b><p>
Dayna Engelhardt, President & CEO<p>
Christopher Pinto, Creative Director<p>
Eric Schwarzer, Senior Copy Writer<p></p></p></p></p></p>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-88306547720263202602011-03-16T07:28:00.000-07:002011-03-16T09:22:24.223-07:00Chrysler PT Cruiser: Saying Goodbye to the Retro Icon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3M2jzFGpI8-9_-IOxv29THsn60sCLw3jdHfn4a2mKewdAYtzeorQFqksdzRPPaTAWtrJiCvOCVXVlXCbAfqCV0xQw73hNha8gZbn7fZ8Eqjc7KE7y8jqg9mcj8yCJNl3OSQ9tBu2nsU/s1600/Black-Chrysler-PT-CruiserGT.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3M2jzFGpI8-9_-IOxv29THsn60sCLw3jdHfn4a2mKewdAYtzeorQFqksdzRPPaTAWtrJiCvOCVXVlXCbAfqCV0xQw73hNha8gZbn7fZ8Eqjc7KE7y8jqg9mcj8yCJNl3OSQ9tBu2nsU/s320/Black-Chrysler-PT-CruiserGT.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584703523823946354" border="0" /></a>In today's market, ten years is a solid run for any model vehicle. With only a minor facelift on exterior design and interior trim, the Chrysler PT Cruiser ends its reign as the number one retro-styled vehicle in America this year.<br /><br />Introduced for the 2000 model-year, the PT Cruiser was Chrysler's answer to the popularity of the retro-styled Ford Mustang. Taking design cues from Art Deco-inspired Plymouths and Chrysler Air Flows of the 1930s, the PT stood apart from the generic, bubble-ish cars of the late 90s with accentuated fenders, a waterfall grill, and a rounded "Touring Sedan" profile common in the pre-war era. The raked-back look, Frenched-in head and tail lights, old-school chrome door handles and five-spoke alloy wheels gave the car a custom, hot rod style that became an immediate hit with retro design lovers. This also led very quickly to a large aftermarket of custom and performance parts, making the PT Cruiser one of the most easily and extensively customizable vehicles on the market. Chrysler <a href="http://epadv.com/">marketed</a> this vehicle to both the retro crowd and everyday people, calling it "the small car alternative".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEIMdvyGpIgaPrt5qgOnhiIfWUJU0v29UBV5BpLp8QZyInx_LJi9J8l_XfkWf4-A_Q7KyhJ66wC1y57X2Xrn52EBCWe1yMjibKd0ShPCeYZP9cgn0TLRHI6n6hNBlaCLhO4qc9xHUW7M/s1600/PT-Cruiser-customs-all.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 768px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEIMdvyGpIgaPrt5qgOnhiIfWUJU0v29UBV5BpLp8QZyInx_LJi9J8l_XfkWf4-A_Q7KyhJ66wC1y57X2Xrn52EBCWe1yMjibKd0ShPCeYZP9cgn0TLRHI6n6hNBlaCLhO4qc9xHUW7M/s400/PT-Cruiser-customs-all.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584703826078777474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The first PTs had a four cylinder, 2.4 liter engine that topped out at about 150 horsepower. That was the major complaint for many buyers who dreaded the zero-to-sixty time of nearly ten seconds in a car that looked like a hot rod. The fact that the vehicle got less than twenty miles per gallon city didn't help. Even though the public loved the styling, that wimpy engine was responsible for the first couple of years of soccer moms and rental companies buying the car...until 2003, when the GT Turbo version was released.<br /><br />The 2003 PT Cruiser GT Turbo (sometimes referred to as the GT Cruiser or PT Bruiser) boosted the horsepower to 215, giving the retro-rod the fast kick it needed. Combined with the "Four on the Floor" manual transmission, the little car could now rocket from zero to sixty in around 6 1/2 seconds from the factory. An AutoStick automatic transmission was also available, allowing the driver to choose between manual (clutchless) mode or auto. A lowered, stiffer suspension, wide performance tires and traction control added to the GT's handling and hot rod looks.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBY0oaguBA92DAikUlc80FYYUmWZzsq6IpeBXxlshvmWfNM10LlKLWUkEoxCxQcbaQpzQp14mF4cf1tXBb3ndtLoEP4HY_1kgzng4_vkqXZOZyLt0ZkumyXtVeVsTtlN6hq5m4eAuTtc/s1600/PT+crusier+ragtop.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBY0oaguBA92DAikUlc80FYYUmWZzsq6IpeBXxlshvmWfNM10LlKLWUkEoxCxQcbaQpzQp14mF4cf1tXBb3ndtLoEP4HY_1kgzng4_vkqXZOZyLt0ZkumyXtVeVsTtlN6hq5m4eAuTtc/s320/PT+crusier+ragtop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584702836863976226" border="0" /></a>2005 saw the next, and probably most important step in the PT's evolution. Designed by Daimler-Benz, the PT Cruiser convertible debuted to a much appreciative public. The car was reinforced to accommodate the convertible top, and a stylish yet functional roll bar was incorporated to add stability and rollover protection. The top-of-the-line model was the GT Turbo High-Output, a car capable of reaching horsepower in the 215 to 225 range stock. A sporty leather interior with chrome accents, factory navigation, chrome grill and special GT Turbo High-Output badging distinguished it from the flock. Unfortunately the car carried a hefty price tag - over $30k for a decked-out GT-HO version - which prohibited sales, making the GT ragtop a rare bird.<br /></div><br />2006 saw the first and only design change for the Cruiser. A slightly modified front end and back bumper, along with a newly designed dash and center console was all that was done to update the PT's appearance. The engine was modified to give a little better performance. The Turbo could now churn out 230 horses, but the gas mileage remained woefully low at a time when gas prices were climbing to $4.00 per gallon, and competitive small cars were getting upwards of 35 mpg. By 2007, the novelty was wearing off, and Chrysler found themselves selling a lot of Cruisers as fleet vehicles for rental car agencies. The recession and Chrysler's merge with Fiat doomed the PT Cruiser from evolving any further, and in 2008 it was announced that production of the then-dated car would cease by 2010, to be replaced with a Fiat-based, more economical vehicle.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ01PXVmplCeXCrQHGWzlEfaQ3v7hge1R9inXmUUymexU1wgAkUaT1YLJyb8ZD_b2-xu_PyNwXIS5doTX256hMa9ePcXxke8Apf_FDulIum7nLgBN1nN5Y2NfjUyxdH4bVjA11Kj7wg8/s1600/2009_chrysler_pt_cruiser_couture_edition_12_cd_gallery.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ01PXVmplCeXCrQHGWzlEfaQ3v7hge1R9inXmUUymexU1wgAkUaT1YLJyb8ZD_b2-xu_PyNwXIS5doTX256hMa9ePcXxke8Apf_FDulIum7nLgBN1nN5Y2NfjUyxdH4bVjA11Kj7wg8/s320/2009_chrysler_pt_cruiser_couture_edition_12_cd_gallery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584702843165748242" border="0" /></a>Today, a handful of 2010 Sedans are still available from Chrysler as "classic" PT Cruisers, but when they're gone, they're gone. Remaining vehicles are basically base models, without an option for the turbo or the convertible. An optional "Couture Edition" features a two-tone paint job, red leather seats and a much higher price tag. The Couture production is limited to 500, meaning a few die-hard PT lovers will buy them and store them as future classic investments. But without that Turbo, there's little hope for much interest by the future collector market. If anything, the 2005 PT Cruiser Convertible stands out as the first PT ragtop, and the only year with the original styling. The '05 GT-HO Turbo version should be the one to watch.<br /><br />So we say goodbye to ten years of the much-loved retro rod, just as retro-styled vehicles like the Chevy Camaro and HHR are gaining popularity, along with the Dodge Challenger and continuation of the Ford Mustang. Today, even vehicles like the Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300 and Infiniti G37 are utilizing a considerable amount of classic retro styling. Designers are incorporating some of the greatest styling elements of the 1920s, '30s, '40s and '50s into today's vehicle...And so though the little PT Cruiser may be gone, it's certain its influence will be around for a very long time.<br /><br />Christopher Pinto, Creative Director<br /><a href="http://epadv.com/about.html#top">Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-83420753252487426532011-02-14T14:49:00.000-08:002011-02-14T15:03:02.980-08:00Fiat returns to the USA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12Mrmf-wz-yEMtmLekPyLcs79f2h0WUAZ1xEkYiGsJAFaJ8V9Z2rD8MQWaqwji17smIIJ7q4Wlkp68QrHRg6e8fFbVKmatRPUnE2GgtHsRHFQEQc7Q5h12v5vJH5o7XpPblqW52QUbcc/s1600/fiat_500_450.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12Mrmf-wz-yEMtmLekPyLcs79f2h0WUAZ1xEkYiGsJAFaJ8V9Z2rD8MQWaqwji17smIIJ7q4Wlkp68QrHRg6e8fFbVKmatRPUnE2GgtHsRHFQEQc7Q5h12v5vJH5o7XpPblqW52QUbcc/s320/fiat_500_450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573682993786268946" border="0" /></a><br />There hasn't been a Fiat showroom in the USA for over 25 years, but that will soon change. Fiat's merger with Chrysler last year has laid the groundwork for the Italian auto maker to sell Fiats side-by-side with its American Mopar counterparts.<br /><br />The first Fiat vehicle to be sold in the US will be an Americanized version of the popular European compact, the Fiat 500. Starting at around $15,000, this little car will be going up against vehicles like BMW's Mini and Ford's Focus.<br /><br />Fiat is currently taking <a href="http://www.fiatusa.com/en/photo_gallery.html">pre-orders</a> for a special edition of the 500, but no target date is given. It will be offered in Pop, Sport and Lounge models. What's a Lounge model? No idea.<br /><br />Something interesting to ponder is that Fiat is introducing this very small car as the 500, next to the Chrysler 200 and 300. Traditionally, in America, the larger the number, the larger the car (That's why an F-350 is larger than an F-150 truck). This will probably confuse a few people at first, especially those who aren't familiar with the 500's popularity in Europe. But I believe a year from now the Fiat 500 will be as common a name as the Mini is today.<br /><br />-Christopher Pinto,<br />Creative Director, Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising<br />http://epadv.comEngelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-16982185312025146432011-02-02T10:15:00.001-08:002011-02-02T10:29:49.522-08:00Auto Industry sales up 17.3%!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOLD3_3rm1MlTj2DiUP8vNRg-_yNIBWSXHCMW4qxf8ZCE5LHk2jJAIsB8smFdTd1R7ibRrQOb6TJRjglpp1LixJ35SZzXykkZSG3rvLxLeMBTNGuMzuQMDMzBM5KD-zert-8gnanh9ZM/s1600/Chevy-Cruze-2011-image.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOLD3_3rm1MlTj2DiUP8vNRg-_yNIBWSXHCMW4qxf8ZCE5LHk2jJAIsB8smFdTd1R7ibRrQOb6TJRjglpp1LixJ35SZzXykkZSG3rvLxLeMBTNGuMzuQMDMzBM5KD-zert-8gnanh9ZM/s320/Chevy-Cruze-2011-image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569161023798042354" border="0" /></a><br />According to an article in the <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110202/BUSINESS01/102020335/0/ENT01/Auto-industry-sees-17-3-increase?odyssey=nav%7Chead">Detroit Free Press,</a> US auto sales are up 17.3% overall for January. This is, of course excellent news for anyone in or tied to the automotive industry.<br /><br />The article goes on to say that new cars sales could hit 12.5 to 13.5 million units this year, and that most of the sales are coming from individual buyers as opposed to lower-profit fleet sales.<br /><br />Read the full article <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110202/BUSINESS01/102020335/0/ENT01/Auto-industry-sees-17-3-increase?odyssey=nav%7Chead">here</a> at Detroit Free Press.<br /><br />Engelhardt & Partners Advertising<br /><a href="http://epadv.com/">epadv.com</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-78048295571695275432011-01-14T11:10:00.000-08:002011-01-14T11:38:05.078-08:00A few of the worst advertising slogans I’ve ever heardI’ve always had an eye (and ear) for great advertising. Even as a kid, I’d critique the toy commercials that played during Saturday morning cartoons (to the point I’d change the channel when those annoying ads for My Little Pony would come on). So just for fun, I put together a list a few of the worst advertising slogans I’ve ever heard, IMHO. Some you’ll recognize, some were regional, hopefully all will make you smile. Here goes…<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Folgers: “The Best Part of Waking Up is Folgers in Your Cup.” </span>A gentle jingle, coupled with homey, artistic footage of sleepy people smiling as they enjoy the aroma and taste of Folgers freshly-brewed coffee. A very nice commercial…until you think about the statement. Seriously, if the best part of waking up (and consequently living your life another day) is a cup of coffee, you’ve got major problems. Skip the coffee and see a therapist.<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/s86UWl3nGGA?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/s86UWl3nGGA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">H. I. Rib & Company: “Put a Little South in Your Mouth.” </span>This was a regional restaurant in the Atlantic City, NJ area that specialized in…you guessed it…southern cooking. But really, they didn’t. Their main menu items were ribs, chicken, burgers, steaks and New Jersey seafood. The only real thing they had that was ‘southern’ was the cornbread that came with the platters. And the slogan…well, I can’t tell you how many muffled giggles by embarrassed women, along with hoots and hollers from randy men were released whenever that slogan was heard on the radio. Catch my drift? Oh, one more thing… The restaurant featured an “H.I.” Burger. Just a ½ pounder with cheese and bacon…but “H.I.” was the owner’s initials…causing us to wonder if we were cannibalizing him.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Winn-Dixie, “The Beef People.”</span> I’m always afraid the employees are going to be half-man, half-cow monsters.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">eSurance, “The Saver.”</span> Ok, I get it…eSurance started out with the slick, animated retro-style commercials with that sexy young “Erin”, the eSurance girl as their spokesperson. The point was to show you could save time, money and trees by buying your insurance entirely online (with the great slogan, “Quote, Buy, Print”). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjhO4VL4EoS3YLOA3ypkfE3VgRw8Mq9E14eJFI_3NjJUHbGJQkAuYnZpoJs2ZBfayqm9ozW_vcQCyNnN8t01Fy6m9-39yfF8in1zFHggrPNuFN5lN9H37J7GVtPVYepFJLvC-bCt9cn4/s1600/esurance-the-saver.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjhO4VL4EoS3YLOA3ypkfE3VgRw8Mq9E14eJFI_3NjJUHbGJQkAuYnZpoJs2ZBfayqm9ozW_vcQCyNnN8t01Fy6m9-39yfF8in1zFHggrPNuFN5lN9H37J7GVtPVYepFJLvC-bCt9cn4/s320/esurance-the-saver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562127994835912354" border="0" /></a>This got them a lot of attention, but no doubt alienated a large percentage of older or less web-savvy (or just plain dull) consumers. After years of success with the “hip” internet-buying crowd, they realized they needed to also appeal to people who don’t know a web page from a grain silo. So, enter “The Saver,” a pudgy, pasty guy with clothes that don’t fit quite right, and the vernacular of a 14-year old. The whole point of the commercial is to show you don’t have to get eSurance online, that you can in fact call them directly and talk to an actual human, if you really want to. But that message is lost among the muck of this goofy guy and the clever writing, pushing how much he can save you more than the fact you can actually talk to someone like him the old-fashioned way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ford: “Quality is Job 1.”</span> Really? You have to say that? It doesn’t sound like you’ve always had a great quality product. It makes it sound like your cars have been crap for years, and you just woke up when Honda started kicking you butt. They dropped it years ago, thankfully.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSbg-NeuidDsQV_2a0EwNWJgI3PI6_0KYEEOnHYuTDxY8WRQqwnwaC5_-YxDDeZYGSEZmqb86HZMHMCyiozIeCnoG5mNXEPtTrQRaThTZcKyHTgv_8YtBWJ7wVpGl2_X88oXQabdnYwU/s1600/MoreDoctorsSMOKECAMELS.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSbg-NeuidDsQV_2a0EwNWJgI3PI6_0KYEEOnHYuTDxY8WRQqwnwaC5_-YxDDeZYGSEZmqb86HZMHMCyiozIeCnoG5mNXEPtTrQRaThTZcKyHTgv_8YtBWJ7wVpGl2_X88oXQabdnYwU/s320/MoreDoctorsSMOKECAMELS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562124098624226210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Camels: “More Doctors Smoke Camels Cigarette Than Any Other Brand.”</span> This is an oldie, dating back as far as the 1940s. As soon as people started hearing rumors that smoking could be bad for your health, the cigarette companies started spending millions to convince us it is not. This campaign ran for years in both broadcast and print, and assured us (without saying it) that smoking Camels was just nifty, since doctors loved them to death (no pun intended. Ok, it was intended). The commercials also appealed to the younger and less sophisticated crowd that thought they’d look more like rich doctors if they smoked Camels instead of those nasty Chesterfields. Whatever. Even without the health issues, why the hell do I care what doctors smoke???<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">AT&T: “More Bars in More Places.”</span> I’ll have a Jack and Coke.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Office Depot, “What You Need, What You Need To Know.”</span> Office Depot had one of the BEST advertising slogans ever…a line that was already known for years, as it was the title of a hit song, “Taking Care of Business.” How in the world could they think they could ever come up with a line that was not only instantly recognizable, but summed up their entire existence in one sentence? Well, after a regime change in 2000, the newbies thought they could…and failed miserably. Laughs flew as the negative connotations referring to “You’re on a need to know basis, and you don’t need to know that” jokes were passed around even among OD employees. The public didn’t respond well to the “new” Office Depot either…as they promised to help customers with simple things like choosing toner, and couldn’t deliver. Profits dropped, store closings and layoffs followed, and a few years later they picked up the old “Taking Care of Business” again, with success.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Honda: “Bigger Than a Breadbox.”</span> Back in the 1970s when Honda was known for motorcycles and the only Americans who bought their cars were aging hippies and college kids, Honda tried to introduce their tiny, tin-can cars as being sort of “cute”. Back then Hondas were not known for their safety, comfort or quality, and certainly not for their reliability. They were known for good gas mileage at a time when “gas crisis” was a household term. But once the gas started flowing again, sales dropped as people went back to buying Ford LTDs and Buick LeSabres. Hence, “Bigger than a Breadbox.”<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Press of Atlantic City, “Gotta Get It.”</span> No, I don’t. There’s something about a newspaper using the non-word “gotta” in their slogan that somehow makes them seem less than reputable. The public agreed, and the slogan was dropped.<br /><br />-Christopher Pinto, Creative Director<br />Engelhardt & Partners Advertising <a href="http://www.epadv.com/">EPADV.com</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-88452564278664989942011-01-12T09:35:00.001-08:002011-01-12T09:36:25.088-08:00INNOVATION IN ACTION!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf1skc9XqfqLg20-9uABBy03Smdm0LxYoobyMGGJYqNp4_b2qRoHbvH-j7GmMcwaLyajQzr8TN0bt6m_R39qhFQDzC0a4U1NKM_UYpDavw5PohIg1doHbbIJF1ixDTT-cHXtKbvo5hfc/s1600/BLUELINK.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpf1skc9XqfqLg20-9uABBy03Smdm0LxYoobyMGGJYqNp4_b2qRoHbvH-j7GmMcwaLyajQzr8TN0bt6m_R39qhFQDzC0a4U1NKM_UYpDavw5PohIg1doHbbIJF1ixDTT-cHXtKbvo5hfc/s200/BLUELINK.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561354439469114498" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">When it comes to gadgets, everyone wonders, what will be the next big thing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Every year in Las Vegas, the International Consumer Electronic Show (CES) challenges manufacturers and electronic geniuses to find the answer. From home appliances to new cell phones to gaming and software, CES brings the future to the present for one week and shows the world what electronics are capable of. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">Lucky for us, car technology is one of the biggest innovative categories of the year. This year proved to be a record breaker, with over 150 automotive electronic gadget and manufacturing companies making their presence known to salivating car lovers from all over the world. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">One major player in this year’s showcase was Hyundai.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Hyundai is getting closer and closer to releasing the first worthy opponent to GM's On Star. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align:justify;mso-pagination:none; mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Called Blue Link, the tele-matics service will offer Hyundai owners innovative features including remote control, automated vehicle diagnostic, recall advisory, stolen vehicle recovery, vehicle immobilization, gas station locator, gas prices, up to the minute traffic and weather and even restaurant ratings, all with voice or manual activation. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Hyundai Blue Link will be available soon on all models produced by Hyundai. The first cars to get the system will be the Sonata and the Veloster 3-door coupe, which will be launched later this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial">Be the first to see innovation in action!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-4382038667599994152010-11-08T15:00:00.000-08:002010-11-09T15:20:43.108-08:00Is Ford Bringing Back The Edsel?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazdRpHlbPCZUAjmh8ivnH2M-rSldWz4P5r6qciaoo37ATn1wT_pBAEFepcspwP8CY6ICL2oNi4o9SMgWI3IypNjjg7gb6D839zfCze8bf2q_41U7QYqlSGrMrF7v6soRfp_63b2QY__w/s1600/edsel.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhazdRpHlbPCZUAjmh8ivnH2M-rSldWz4P5r6qciaoo37ATn1wT_pBAEFepcspwP8CY6ICL2oNi4o9SMgWI3IypNjjg7gb6D839zfCze8bf2q_41U7QYqlSGrMrF7v6soRfp_63b2QY__w/s320/edsel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537690968198280770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Is it possible after 50+ years, Ford will be bringing back the Edsel? Although ridiculed as a funny-looking, poorly-built car, the Edsel was actually well ahead of the competition in styling, engineering and technology. What it lacked was marketing foresight, coming out several years too soon - a mid-sized, junior executive level vehicle (without fins) debuting at a time when everyone wanted more sheet metal, more chrome...and more fins.<br /><br />But the Edsel, had it been named something that sounded less...eh...dorky, and the timing been right, may have been a sure hit. It incorporated powerful engines with an electronic push-button transmission (the buttons were built into the center of the steering wheel, a la Speed Racer). It's styling was bold and completely new. And rode like a dream.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So why not bring it back? After all, today's cars are all about technology. A push-button transmission is only a designer's mouse-click away. And the styling? Well, it seems the '58 Edsel front end would fit perfectly on to a 2011 Taurus. Orders, anyone?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qVR00QkGAdY00eVas7KawCubTIb1zXqIwcIV5Yg-Mk1iLSExfWNVQbihDuo_YVbBuw3UbtXLphLOFyOygd-SragaO1mAdwotXdrt-ah7LbfhbvQMnbBj1sB79Wh09kZB6CraOPK4MHs/s1600/taurus-Edsel-2010-image.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qVR00QkGAdY00eVas7KawCubTIb1zXqIwcIV5Yg-Mk1iLSExfWNVQbihDuo_YVbBuw3UbtXLphLOFyOygd-SragaO1mAdwotXdrt-ah7LbfhbvQMnbBj1sB79Wh09kZB6CraOPK4MHs/s320/taurus-Edsel-2010-image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537693303254176258" border="0" /></a></div>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-88893548058469544872010-09-28T10:13:00.000-07:002010-09-28T10:33:03.866-07:00Gearing up for Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCBY-jXEFUOotrKjIW6Ko6gofc1pe7cDyvHZU6ZqfJoD5by_9ryJq-Igg7zhOXUBU1DH89L8cR4ljCHrXMsOu8mBtocgHAt2hsBi4ZAswRrhRfaed0qzp26fP20Ien1zaq7CDfbFo7wI/s1600/sexy_vintage_witch.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCBY-jXEFUOotrKjIW6Ko6gofc1pe7cDyvHZU6ZqfJoD5by_9ryJq-Igg7zhOXUBU1DH89L8cR4ljCHrXMsOu8mBtocgHAt2hsBi4ZAswRrhRfaed0qzp26fP20Ien1zaq7CDfbFo7wI/s320/sexy_vintage_witch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522018498150054578" border="0" /></a>Advertising-wise, Halloween is already here. The stores are full of Halloween costumes and decor, and some are even carrying Christmas decorations next to the pumpkins and skulls. Here at the agency, we've already nailed down creative for the Halloween season and are starting to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas.<br /><br />The best part of advertising for Halloween is we get to cut loose a little, and do some really fun stuff. Even with limited space in print and time with broadcast, we can still squeeze in some cool graphics and clever tie-ins. One of my personal favorites is "Dawn of the Deals", playing off the old horror flick "Dawn of the Dead." We've also done "House of 1000 Bargains", and "{Vincent} Price Breaker Sale". Kooky stuff.<br /><br />Here are a few of our ideas for Halloween 2010:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm_RHbOYgZpDL5C3OjNhWjlupdz88ruvKnxRPx8vIX01ok1_ouNcaHYWc4KFaUMJJKXqQ-55OKTE3PW8-GZKCJZ9r7jUbwmaOLVHYe8GR6sjBA4XBIFwf7QLpI4COmb1cDBADfpJllp8/s1600/monster-truck-epadv.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWm_RHbOYgZpDL5C3OjNhWjlupdz88ruvKnxRPx8vIX01ok1_ouNcaHYWc4KFaUMJJKXqQ-55OKTE3PW8-GZKCJZ9r7jUbwmaOLVHYe8GR6sjBA4XBIFwf7QLpI4COmb1cDBADfpJllp8/s320/monster-truck-epadv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522018170135402114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGzhIZ5xFhIhxMuA1CpYyWuzweXLuWVoYB-iPE7gNngmTddi7dHt-DXKLylHgArvThbwiMSpU47f5_KquCzZT44RU-ElYrlMoeBr976VtziQxeHmj61E-vGTRYnMuI1EzXFZUfZP2dZs/s1600/dawn-of-the-deals.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGzhIZ5xFhIhxMuA1CpYyWuzweXLuWVoYB-iPE7gNngmTddi7dHt-DXKLylHgArvThbwiMSpU47f5_KquCzZT44RU-ElYrlMoeBr976VtziQxeHmj61E-vGTRYnMuI1EzXFZUfZP2dZs/s320/dawn-of-the-deals.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522018049324390978" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih9TZ-CpvAs3jj5isvR1iMZpDiCoQ2vVXDZKygAnoh-r4NV2NHoFWN6V84u57xJcKKAvh9P2fAKQ3JjaKXnRvv91ICkSRW4mKvb6bg2oxft_vWk_d_1yXYWSIdujAKYJnGcS7A-IcZUc/s1600/year-end-wrap-up-epadv.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjih9TZ-CpvAs3jj5isvR1iMZpDiCoQ2vVXDZKygAnoh-r4NV2NHoFWN6V84u57xJcKKAvh9P2fAKQ3JjaKXnRvv91ICkSRW4mKvb6bg2oxft_vWk_d_1yXYWSIdujAKYJnGcS7A-IcZUc/s320/year-end-wrap-up-epadv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522018108704601202" border="0" /></a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-49531405885462570252010-09-03T11:51:00.000-07:002010-09-03T11:53:43.213-07:00Happy Labor Day Weekend from Engelhardt & Partners AdvertisingJust wanted to wish all of our friends a happy and safe holiday weekend. Be careful driving, don't forget the sunscreen, and enjoy yourself!Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-44818032400456727582010-08-23T13:23:00.000-07:002010-08-23T13:58:12.687-07:00The Future of Advertising<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L6-knbf_s5PYoB8MspehYLzHnYyJSvZM61xLIFIXr7qUR8fzLZv9RdsUq-w6HR2v6C_El5lyJBVrQuSGt7DiFvHJ_ztqqXvctigI2EdVzpwtR1v7MNMYsbeiMx04xF1Amh5VrDiTAoI/s1600/newspaper.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L6-knbf_s5PYoB8MspehYLzHnYyJSvZM61xLIFIXr7qUR8fzLZv9RdsUq-w6HR2v6C_El5lyJBVrQuSGt7DiFvHJ_ztqqXvctigI2EdVzpwtR1v7MNMYsbeiMx04xF1Amh5VrDiTAoI/s200/newspaper.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508711035674474114" border="0" /></a><br />It's an early spring morning and you've walked the two blocks to the train station while listening to an audiobook on your iPhone. The train's on time and you get a great seat. On the arm of the seat is an ad, small but powerful: 50% off a Grande coffee at Starbucks, with coupon.<br /><br />What coupon?<br /><br />At the bottom of the ad is a 1x1 inch block of black ink, the design familiar but meaningless...until your realize what it is. You pop out your iPhone, take a photo of the insignia and your phone automatically takes you to a mobile site with a virtual coupon. Show the coupon on your screen to the cashier at Starbucks and get your half-price java.<br /><br />Everyone knows the Internet is not only the present but the future. But the future holds marvels that have not even been thought of by most people. And along with web technology comes advances in print, video, and beyond. Imagine:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8XSMaDy2Y4OBg3eyGi6ngKGSHyRHTh50safNZHigBaIdHjP2ea_coZcCqL6G7JilLCASFY4WKmct99oKDUe8YeJZZBOBNtRv4brjCP4rtuQuLdESph70euusSbZZQAaYWeWX2YLTzMY/s1600/daily-prophet.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8XSMaDy2Y4OBg3eyGi6ngKGSHyRHTh50safNZHigBaIdHjP2ea_coZcCqL6G7JilLCASFY4WKmct99oKDUe8YeJZZBOBNtRv4brjCP4rtuQuLdESph70euusSbZZQAaYWeWX2YLTzMY/s200/daily-prophet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508711836488190898" border="0" /></a><br />• Newspapers, magazines, greeting cards and flyers that have a thin, flexible video screen with a slide show or actual video playing. This technology is almost here - miniature batteries that can power the device for a few days, wafer-thin computer chips and inexpensive video displays will soon come together to give print that "Harry Potter" effect. And they say print is dead.<br /><br />• Seamless connectivity between your home computer, laptop, phone, TV remote, iPad and car. The kind of connectivity that will allow you to listen to emails while driving, program your TV from anywhere and turn appliances on and off from your phone or car. A lot of this technology already exists. It just needs to be consolidated.<br /><br />• Giveaways that send people directly to you site. For example: You go to a baseball game on bat day and get a free baseball bat, courtesy of Rustler Steakhouse. Until now the only advantage Rustler gets out of the promotion is branding exposure. But...add a scan-readable code (like on the subway seat ad) to the bottom of the bat and suddenly you've captured a client...they go to your site to get the coupon, and you get ROI.<br /><br />This is just a taste of the exciting advertising opportunities that lie ahead. Remember, just five years ago the iPhone didn't exist, and using a smartphone to view websites was a slow, cumbersome novelty. Imagine what things will be like five years from now.<br /><br /><a href="http://epadv.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising</span></a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-64694466942872812722010-08-03T10:43:00.000-07:002010-08-03T11:06:14.113-07:00Working on a New Agency Reel & Presentation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TyOG0wJgCQSqul0rz1_7-mhPbsMLK16RGuoGOWZsOqn5vNzm3sf_VT_Hh50Tuv1vJPrPkzDJYeALEp_3ZAHyHsPfxd2BmvDsfCy2IkH7unZDB0q0V_UVy-Q61EM3nhyphenhyphenCz3Qc5Nlpq7U/s1600/movie-reel.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TyOG0wJgCQSqul0rz1_7-mhPbsMLK16RGuoGOWZsOqn5vNzm3sf_VT_Hh50Tuv1vJPrPkzDJYeALEp_3ZAHyHsPfxd2BmvDsfCy2IkH7unZDB0q0V_UVy-Q61EM3nhyphenhyphenCz3Qc5Nlpq7U/s200/movie-reel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501245976105631730" border="0" /></a><br />Every advertising agency has a reel. Of course the term 'reel' is as old a term as you'll find in the biz, going way back to when an agency's work was shown over Martinis in a darkened, smokey room on a 16mm projector. Today's reels are a little simpler - a DVD, or web video that can be watched by clients over and over again at their leisure, with the lights on.<br /><br />Our previous reel was nicely done, with a short introduction about our company and what we do followed by samples of our broadcast, print, and web creative. But times have changed, and so have we.<br /><br />Our introduction has turned into a short but informative and exciting presentation on what makes <a href="http://epadv.com/">Engelhardt and Partners Automotive Advertising </a>a cut above our competition. It focuses on what matters most to car dealers today: The Internet, how to get the most out of it for the least amount of money, and how to tie it in effectively with proven traditional media.<br /><br />This is our expertise. We've grown from a traditional advertising agency with strong creative and personal service to a fully-integrated digital and traditional house. And we've done it without sacrificing that quality creative and personal service.<br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ></span><br />Any advertising agency can produce ads. Most are pretty good at it. They can all promise you great results from great creative and money-saving media buys. But most of them fall short when it comes to the full package. And it's the full package that automotive dealers need to truly succeed in today's tough market.<br /><br />We call it synergy. The synergy of digital and traditional advertising working together to maximize your potential. Our professionals working closely with you to provide solutions to your problems. We don't just work for you. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/EPADV">We become part of your team.</a> That's Engelhardt and Partners Advertising, or as we call it around here, The Power of E.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" >ENGELHARDT AND PARTNERS ADVERTISING HAS PROVEN SOLUTIONS FOR LACK OF TRAFFIC, TARNISHED IMAGES AND BLOATED BUDGETS. WE PRODUCE POWERFUL, FULLY-INTEGRATED AD CAMPAIGNS THAT REMAIN COHESIVE ACROSS ALL MEDIA: DIGITAL, BROADCAST, PRINT, & BEYOND, ENABLING YOU TO INCREASE YOUR MARKET SHARE.</span><!--EndFragment--><br /><br />It's time to integrate your digital and traditional advertising. We'll show you how...when our reel is finished! But if you can't wait, go ahead and give us a call at 954-927-2886. We'd be happy to speak with you about a more profitable future.<br /><br /><a href="http://epadv.com/">http://epadv.com</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-45303757967633055202010-07-27T06:22:00.000-07:002010-07-27T07:33:33.338-07:00Mad Men and The REAL World of Advertising<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-gy_hVMRcPKleRgtgLtZgxEYVnyXMpHyd7ilweMuEJIuiAHRrZr6vXcuvqMNLpC0V3KKQf_ZM6oBHOXVQFYQ-BsQZdMHh9B-lxdy8c8MiptHx8GpfEy8bSas099QDAjhWyjyiKcSSTo/s1600/don_draper.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-gy_hVMRcPKleRgtgLtZgxEYVnyXMpHyd7ilweMuEJIuiAHRrZr6vXcuvqMNLpC0V3KKQf_ZM6oBHOXVQFYQ-BsQZdMHh9B-lxdy8c8MiptHx8GpfEy8bSas099QDAjhWyjyiKcSSTo/s400/don_draper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498591707839839954" border="0" /></a>by Christopher Pinto,<br />Creative Director<br />Engelhardt & Partners Advertising<br /><br />When I tell people I'm the Creative Director of a national advertising agency, they often (jokingly) ask me if my job is anything like Don Draper's from Mad Men. I (jokingly) respond, "Not much, except for the minibar."<br /><br />The Mad Men series, now in its fourth season, has given us a glimpse into the lives and work of ad execs during the golden age of cocktails and Manhattan advertising firms, in the days when all the best ideas hadn't yet been conjured up and media was limited to TV, radio, print and outdoor. In those days the Creative Director was the idea man; with his workforce of copy writers, art directors and graphic designers he oversaw the creation of fantastic advertising which grabbed attention and practically forced the reader to want to know more. It was from this era that some of the most fascinating and most powerful campaigns emerged, campaigns that are still recognizable today.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">If Don Draper were frozen in 1964 and awakened now, he would be amazed at the changes that have developed in advertising over the last 50 years. Things started to really move in the 1980s as the desktop computer began to replace the art desk. Copy writing became more streamlined as ad space prices escalated. Cable television meant instead of three or four channels to advertise on, dozens, then hundreds became available, splitting people's attention and therefore each commercial's reach. As technology advanced in the 1990s, brighter, slicker, more extremely-stylized ads began to take the place of traditional photos and copy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Engelhardt-Partners-Advertising/88192246834?ref=ts"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPL9q5TPMtTBwva9ZBYnMTbOQWGhBTCazUi9SCBzjDPHLWjvmYDElVrci6h-fRZPwRX2BpewH_HADz3Yw7-MUmYz4WJg0DJikihIJbYX-W0d3lWp5ZqQfVtiegZXhouceCyoYKgUYXwg/s400/madmen-officejpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498591776820127650" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Then the World Wide Web sprung up. At first no one except a few handfuls of computer-savvy tech heads thought anything of it. It was slow, it was dull. No photos. No video. Just pages of copy, with the occasional flashing star or bright red headline in Helvetica Bold. Advertising agencies didn't give it a second thought. Makes you wonder if an old-timer like Draper would have embraced this technology, or would he have just wrote it off as an insignificant trend?<br /><br />By 1999 it was clear that the Web was going to destroy everything that ad men and women had worked on for 50 years. The dull, lifeless pages began to look more like magazine pages with photos, clip art, and animation. People could see an ad for a product and buy it right on line. Then the technology really took off, and suddenly it seemed science fiction was becoming real. You could log on to the Web and check the weather, look up information on encyclopedia sites, watch small but interesting video, view slide shows of photos and post on social sites. And, most of all, you could advertise on these sites.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila1VFjmEr2hlxkI5tf0W5Dc6kFAP9HEewh364t0f5gkV7A2gVDtWHGnSkYHK8hxUieymSzCT_tzcnzh5-BDfihjxQ4cndzDto5F-2ClVTiEemQ_lul5ks6dSvEF-myqm67EZ5E6Fs1d8/s1600/madmen-800wi.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila1VFjmEr2hlxkI5tf0W5Dc6kFAP9HEewh364t0f5gkV7A2gVDtWHGnSkYHK8hxUieymSzCT_tzcnzh5-BDfihjxQ4cndzDto5F-2ClVTiEemQ_lul5ks6dSvEF-myqm67EZ5E6Fs1d8/s400/madmen-800wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498591940015264898" border="0" /></a>Somehow many ad agencies didn't see the potential here. By 2005 most agencies had missed the boat on Internet advertising, with the spoils going to Web Masters, Internet service providers and software developers. If you wanted a banner ad on the net, you called a web guy, not an ad agency. I think this is the point where Draper would finally see the potential, as portions of his ad budgets started getting siphoned away for the Web.<br /></div><br />Luckily a few ad agencies (including ours) picked up on this trend. Some became completely digital, meaning they invested all of their efforts into online advertising. Some opened Web departments, others incorporated their Web advertising into existing creative departments. At Engelhardt and Partners Advertising we saw this coming a long time ago, and laid the groundwork for integrating Web along with traditional forms of media in order to brand our clients with a strong, cohesive message across the board.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://epadv.com/digital.html"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXR3UfuXDxqSdcxZ3wrJ3YS0d2jBWU0B__Me8_V3s8gA3Q50AIHATm8sv4j3X2CD-_ljFeoWOkbiv7h8Dfqgp5dDpo7q-NN0EQPmre3FYOgCLb9LC3vNbXTyjH1lnhDPZuGr56KpTu04/s320/epulse-logo-final.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498592226537547266" border="0" /></a>Now, in 2010, we've conquered the change necessary to keep up with today's ever-changing technology. Our creative department has learned to think about campaigns that not only work in TV, radio and print, but on the net as well. Everything works together synergistically to exploit our clients' opportunities. Our ePulse Total Internet Package is unique in the industry as it incorporates all media together, concentrating on the media that works best for each client. And Creative is still considered the most important part of the process, as we know that no matter how much money you spend on advertising, if no one looks at it, it's all in vain.<br /><br />If Draper were real, Engelhardt and Partners is exactly the kind of agency he would want to work at. I just wouldn't let him yell at the customers ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://epadv.com">Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising<br />www.EPADV.com</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-59590235107105138352010-06-02T14:54:00.000-07:002010-06-03T07:25:56.028-07:00Goodbye, Mercury<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBmKq1xaqv_C6cpak_3LqFO9AzmGNNETyIaFfgn8GxEzK-tf1D3yfnAU21xS8PMcPkKHv2o3hd4XmTE3lyeSKTCtzHQ9KK6M4zam5KH8eVYA0SHXoljddPj-y3GeeN4M-o7Y7vNFTLEc/s1600/1939-mercury.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBmKq1xaqv_C6cpak_3LqFO9AzmGNNETyIaFfgn8GxEzK-tf1D3yfnAU21xS8PMcPkKHv2o3hd4XmTE3lyeSKTCtzHQ9KK6M4zam5KH8eVYA0SHXoljddPj-y3GeeN4M-o7Y7vNFTLEc/s400/1939-mercury.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478550621266315266" border="0" /></a>It was 1938. The Great Depression was over for most Americans, Prohibition had been repealed for five years and the future looked bright. A new class of Americans was emerging...the modern middle class, and they wanted nice cars. The executives at Ford needed a brand that could slide into the price slot between low-cost, dependable Fords and high-end Lincolns. Mercury was born.<br /><br />Through the next three decades Mercury models would prove themselves on the road as everything from "baby Lincolns" to full-blown muscle cars. The "50 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Merc</span>" became a favorite of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">customizers</span> and hot-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">rodders</span>, and the cars gained a respectable reputation as a good quality, well handling, moderately priced car.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUKiIyyrmb2UNEdovW_H_Cu9dfftymKa9rcqbN0bkZ9s0T7SjUobK7yLQ_hpKLbb75R9dGv38krXvGcmnflOAWgO3QrXyF0NQw4OxUk15c4gM9-rZEZUrSRMBI1ayjMCgzIgIJ6SS3N0/s1600/mercury_1957_montclair_yell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUKiIyyrmb2UNEdovW_H_Cu9dfftymKa9rcqbN0bkZ9s0T7SjUobK7yLQ_hpKLbb75R9dGv38krXvGcmnflOAWgO3QrXyF0NQw4OxUk15c4gM9-rZEZUrSRMBI1ayjMCgzIgIJ6SS3N0/s320/mercury_1957_montclair_yell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478550748213278434" border="0" /></a>Then came the 1970s, the era that closed the door on speed, power, good looks and the thrill of driving. Between new government standards for safety and emissions and multiple gas crisis, the power and styling of American cars got clobbered. Mercury was no exception.<br /><br />The once proud brand started pumping out under-powered little Ford clones like the Capri, and under-powered, fat lead sleds (basically Fords with more chrome and a higher price tag) like the Cougar <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">XR</span>7. The price gap also began to close as Lincoln offered small luxury vehicles in the 1980s, and Ford offered trimmed-up models of their full size line.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_JqOcisRyoKFs4ja0eoEY3Kl9k5YDEmKBNmUaxvdJY3u1FL870y8RK3OanjlehjDXNDai7IjCMo9uq7IRB3e_k9vB47wtDTFkHz7ONO_t0HPqkoYKoT1hvbvs1ymrn2uejyMs2lVPJ4/s1600/capri.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_JqOcisRyoKFs4ja0eoEY3Kl9k5YDEmKBNmUaxvdJY3u1FL870y8RK3OanjlehjDXNDai7IjCMo9uq7IRB3e_k9vB47wtDTFkHz7ONO_t0HPqkoYKoT1hvbvs1ymrn2uejyMs2lVPJ4/s320/capri.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478553487064390786" border="0" /></a>Somewhere between the '70s and today, everyone forgot what the Mercury brand was all about. It no longer filled that niche between Ford and Lincoln; instead it just mirrored their models with slightly different trim packages, engine set-ups and design details. Except for the popular Marquis, they got a reputation as being nothing but rental-car material, and the number of retail buyers dwindled.<br /><br />Ford says they have lost interest in Mercury because the public has lost interest. Ford is no planning to beef up efforts on the Ford and Lincoln brands. Although that's probably a good move at this point, there's no denying that Mercury will be missed.Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-60584350652934353432010-05-24T09:18:00.000-07:002010-05-24T14:30:46.792-07:00About Flash & the iPhone, by Apple and Adobe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8YugmdZE_rCQwULBrM7662j1dX3n53CIbGLy4CiFduEdXEskBZrkM3bcNX8DfW-VaFgGKrOYjEH8y7cCVfohKoCPTnfdwCyAFhEAXfE6TreT3iOqH3mjg4gh9xbKI4Mz8Ee7MNUmxBw/s1600/FLASH-image-standard.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8YugmdZE_rCQwULBrM7662j1dX3n53CIbGLy4CiFduEdXEskBZrkM3bcNX8DfW-VaFgGKrOYjEH8y7cCVfohKoCPTnfdwCyAFhEAXfE6TreT3iOqH3mjg4gh9xbKI4Mz8Ee7MNUmxBw/s400/FLASH-image-standard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474880943142406562" border="0" /></a><br />As a follow-up to our post on the lack of flash available for the iPhone and iPad, here's some info on what Steve Jobs has to say on the subject.<br /><br />On the bottom left corner of the splash screen of apple.com is a button that says <a href="http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/">'Thoughts on Flash'.</a> It directs you to fairly long explanation by Jobs himself as to why Apple has decided not to allow flash developments on their products.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"...I wanted to jot down some of our thoughts on Adobe’s Flash products so that customers and critics may better understand why we do not allow Flash on iPhones, iPods and iPads. Adobe has characterized our decision as being primarily business driven – they say we want to protect our App Store – but in reality it is based on technology issues..."</span><br /><br />In a nutshell, Jobs believes that with new technologies such as html5 (and other stuff that really only makes sense to developers, not end-users) Adobe's Flash will eventually become phased out. According to the article, Flash is too slow, takes up too much memory for small devices such as the iPhone, and allows third-party developers to create stuff that simply doesn't always work right on a Mac or Apple product (I can see his point there; I've used Macs for 20 years and have found out the hard way that Adobe releases software that works on PCs months or even years before it works well on a Mac).<br /><br />Apple's views on the use of Flash vs. newer technologies is valid. After all, we no longer use serial ports, floppy discs or tape drives, and web pages have grown from simple text with one or two clip art images to the complex photo, video, and interactive-rich sites we enjoy today. And all that happened in what, 15 years? Apple believes it's time to move ahead, and believes the future excludes the 10+ year-old Flash software.<br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>So where does that leave Adobe? We're talking about the company who has created some of the most powerful photo, video, publishing and web editing software available. <span style="font-size:100%;">Adobe founders <a href="http://www.adobe.com/choice/?promoid=GXSAD"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Chuck Geschke and John Warnock</strong></a></span><a href="http://www.adobe.com/choice/?promoid=GXSAD"> </a>have their own take on this:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"...As the founders of Adobe, we believe open markets are in the best interest of developers, content owners, and consumers. Freedom of choice on the web has unleashed an explosion of content and transformed how we work, learn, communicate, and, ultimately, express ourselves...We believe that Apple, by taking the opposite approach, has taken a step that could undermine this next chapter of the web — the chapter in which mobile devices outnumber computers, any individual can be a publisher, and content is accessed anywhere and at any time."</span><br /><br />Flash (which was originally produced by Macromedia) has been a convenient plug-in for their users to create rich website experiences, and continues to get streamlined and more powerful every year. Obviously Adobe doesn't have any plans to phase out this investment just because Apple has their own views on the subject. After all, iPhones and iPads are popular, but like everything else they are being imitated. There are already iPhone-style devices available from all the major cell phone carriers. Soon dozens of manufacturers will offer iPad-similar devices. And if they can get them to run Flash without draining the batteries in half an hour, you can bet Adobe will be very happy to keep on supplying the software.<br /><br />Read Steve Jobs' entire letter<a href="http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughts-on-flash/"> here</a>, at apple.com.<br />Read <span style="font-size:100%;"><strong style="font-weight: normal;">Chuck Geschke and John Warnock</strong></span>'s letter <a href="http://www.adobe.com/choice/openmarkets.html">here</a>, at adobe.com<br /><br />by Christopher Pinto for <a href="http://epadv.com">Englehardt & Partners Automotive Advertising</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-52069541761503582712010-04-21T08:54:00.000-07:002010-04-21T09:08:54.350-07:00Sorry, No Flash in the Future of iPhone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-OT2menTGXBK1waX5oL_Kn7Y_H0WCvyy19FR9CNUPBxggweQDHqYfooG7PvuuLUl1feChIqQPoy9uu5mE2uE3Fy5mtv4KGo1Jmv6-0021cn-pIIRGkV0htlvSQDDXFKNRuXqX9ZUgYk/s1600/iphone-BTF-App.gif"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-OT2menTGXBK1waX5oL_Kn7Y_H0WCvyy19FR9CNUPBxggweQDHqYfooG7PvuuLUl1feChIqQPoy9uu5mE2uE3Fy5mtv4KGo1Jmv6-0021cn-pIIRGkV0htlvSQDDXFKNRuXqX9ZUgYk/s320/iphone-BTF-App.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462623420605935906" border="0" /></a><br />I just read an article on <a href="http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/194687/adobe_says_no_future_investment_in_flashtoiphone_feature.html">PCWorld (http://www.pcworld.com, Read the article)</a> that had me gaping with surprise. Apple has closed off avenues that allow developers to use non-native apps for the iPhone and iPad; in response Adobe has stated they will be "<a href="http://www.mikechambers.com/blog/2010/04/20/on-adobe-flash-cs5-and-iphone-applications/" target="_blank">ceasing efforts to bring Flash-based applications to the iPhone</a>".<br /><br />According to the article (and this was something I wondered about but never got a straight answer on) Apple basically <span style="font-style: italic;">doesn't want </span>Flash to work on their iPhones and iPads. They want all apps to be native to Apple - a typical Apple proprietary move.<br /><br />So anyone who has been wondering just when your i-Stuff will be Flash-compliant, you might as well forget it. Go with an Android.<br /><br />(Does Apple really think this is a good idea? Maybe they're trying to make Flash extinct - they've done it before, first with floppy discs, then with Zip drives, then with serial cables. Who knows, maybe they will. It will be interesting to watch this unfold.)Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-65607603328213416282010-04-12T13:06:00.001-07:002010-04-12T13:24:24.734-07:00SEO efforts paying off<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqGaCHEEpJuvxIn0zxIKH6pwSgdrA8YvES9ovqIXgwnBltCwrn0qo9I0OYFYyKHweJIUrWXyHJ_l1eNZuuvZM0ZhUZtOnrgnW7Pz_WsooPzIzzd5lvVu-QHab46NMSoAFN96JnoCLvZc/s1600/world-matrix-web.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 252px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqGaCHEEpJuvxIn0zxIKH6pwSgdrA8YvES9ovqIXgwnBltCwrn0qo9I0OYFYyKHweJIUrWXyHJ_l1eNZuuvZM0ZhUZtOnrgnW7Pz_WsooPzIzzd5lvVu-QHab46NMSoAFN96JnoCLvZc/s320/world-matrix-web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459348500789923186" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">by Christopher Pinto, Creative Director</span><br /><br />The first thing people ask us when they talk to us about Internet advertising is, <a href="http://www.epadv.com/digital.html#seo">"How can we get our name higher in search results?"</a> They're hoping for a simple, straight answer, preferably a short one. Unfortunately there is no short answer. There are a lot of techniques involved with optimizing your search engine results, and all of of them take some time to accomplish.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Due to the errors of a previous employee who wasn't nearly as talented as he believed he was, we were stuck for over two years with a website that looked pretty, but had nearly no search engine optimization potential. (The entire site was built in flash with no readable text.) Now that we've created a <a href="http://epadv.com/">new website</a>, keeping in mind what search engines (and people searching) look for, we've gone from an organic search ranking of somewhere on page 300 to page three in only one month. Not bad, huh?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBHeflh1bx8ocJEsaPUsVP8Aam7a-wWpOIMdGTLirY7H2OfQql1yq7Ogy1xP_NALEhxUPdTImOTC1j-g92CKh0Fo1zAvO7xDqIkkoNNjfNzvRmyJF6gLLUa9IOHO3MX2-ACi5lp70Z8Q/s1600/matrix+pic+fpo.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBHeflh1bx8ocJEsaPUsVP8Aam7a-wWpOIMdGTLirY7H2OfQql1yq7Ogy1xP_NALEhxUPdTImOTC1j-g92CKh0Fo1zAvO7xDqIkkoNNjfNzvRmyJF6gLLUa9IOHO3MX2-ACi5lp70Z8Q/s320/matrix+pic+fpo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459348831611047554" border="0" /></a></div><br />The moral of the story is to be competitive on the net you've got to do things right from the beginning, or be willing to change for the better. It took us some time to learn about internet marketing, from SEO to Social Media, but we did it. We've applied what we've learned to our own resources and its paying off. Now we're smarter and stronger than ever, and that truly benefits our clients.<br /><br />To learn how we can help you with all your traditional and web marketing, call 954-927-2886 or visit us online at <a href="http://www.epadv.com/">www.epadv.com.</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-88271228729611747052010-04-02T09:44:00.001-07:002010-04-02T09:58:24.600-07:00Car Sales Up, feature article on CBS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NBs1PzTm4CnOo6ThIxYo8Mok0ptnyRLeq5jPIjwI1X__zpPVp9bMRRb6GQlGP_XYAF5AgKzDMfsXv8hMHeDU5GSL79oryJNILmS177tBp6p8K3X2ohLve1WrxvsG4dy3z2FnUATIswA/s1600/Fusion-10-FC-Image.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NBs1PzTm4CnOo6ThIxYo8Mok0ptnyRLeq5jPIjwI1X__zpPVp9bMRRb6GQlGP_XYAF5AgKzDMfsXv8hMHeDU5GSL79oryJNILmS177tBp6p8K3X2ohLve1WrxvsG4dy3z2FnUATIswA/s320/Fusion-10-FC-Image.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455585564427645618" border="0" /></a><br />Good news, something we haven't seen much of lately, was the focus of a CBS evening news segment last night...and no, it wasn't an April Fools Joke...sales at GM, Ford and Toyota are up considerably from a year ago.<br /><br />CBSnews.com reports the story today, including some very inspiring numbers: GM core brands up 43% (up 21% including brands being phased out), Ford up 40% and Toyota up 41%.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/01/business/main6353737.shtml?tag=cbsnewsLeadStoriesAreaMain;cbsnewsLeadStoriesHeadlines">For the CBS News link to the full story, click here.</a><br /><br />The sales increases are attributed to a slowly but steadily strengthening economy and major incentives doled out by the automakers (When have you ever seen Toyota offering 0% interest for five years?). The problem now is to keep up the momentum.<br /><br />This is of course excellent news (and an excellent opportunity) for Automotive Advertising Agencies. Even with our best efforts and most creative ideas, getting people to the lot in a bad economy is hard. Getting those people qualified and selling them the car they want at the right price is even harder for the dealer. But with this latest shift in sales (and the unusual plug of good news by the media) we can start concentrating on targeting the people who are finally in a position to trade up to a new or newer pre-owned car.<br /><br />We'll be watching this trend closely in the next few months. You should too.<br /><br />- Christopher Pinto, Creative Director<br />Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising AgencyEngelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-76478096904338021832010-03-11T09:47:00.000-08:002010-03-11T09:52:27.645-08:00Our New Website Is Live<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKo_UGMaBwCC9O15v2HAgs2FfrWnCJtN1y_YMhQQITL3gWUigBl0n5_akwuqBPqeuMzM01q5ZptTwHDsaiQKEI5nwnYvYBemkj4j9tinXuaciLpZhRvir4PzV9LbczP0m8Jf5U8IoEP8/s1600-h/explosion-electric-fc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 139px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKo_UGMaBwCC9O15v2HAgs2FfrWnCJtN1y_YMhQQITL3gWUigBl0n5_akwuqBPqeuMzM01q5ZptTwHDsaiQKEI5nwnYvYBemkj4j9tinXuaciLpZhRvir4PzV9LbczP0m8Jf5U8IoEP8/s320/explosion-electric-fc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447435490242427330" border="0" /></a><br />The greatest thing about the Internet is that it is constantly changing, growing, evolving.<br /><br />Our website has evolved several times over the years to meet the demands of our clients and potential clients. Our newest generation stresses the importance of Synergy - integration of traditional advertising media with hot new web & digital avenues.<br /><br />We've included a lot of useful information on our site, not just for automotive advertising clients but for anyone who wants to market their business successfully in our changing world.<br /><br />Check it out at <a href="http://www.epadv.com/">http://www.epadv.com</a>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-11124901977293331862010-02-23T06:31:00.000-08:002010-02-23T07:10:41.821-08:00So many computers, so few back-ups...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7gH6DW5wB9gtx6kqbdaQ89RdN1N7CWWiGmJaTF3f8KhhFy6aIunXqfE2Ap8dfbN5Cjg9P5CA1WLN_b3_v9XwmJjXSbIXE4DhIo-7YHxnUp9kTku3TwJfb9t1Xe7LmOzsyG16OOSbboY/s1600-h/keyboard+RGB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7gH6DW5wB9gtx6kqbdaQ89RdN1N7CWWiGmJaTF3f8KhhFy6aIunXqfE2Ap8dfbN5Cjg9P5CA1WLN_b3_v9XwmJjXSbIXE4DhIo-7YHxnUp9kTku3TwJfb9t1Xe7LmOzsyG16OOSbboY/s320/keyboard+RGB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441456249133341426" border="0" /></a><br />It's been 20 years since I first started using computers for work, and looking back I find it amazing how much these machines have infiltrated themselves into our lives. In 1990, my computer was a Mac Classic with a 10 MEGABYTE hard drive, 4 MEG of memory, and a floppy disc drive. I used it mostly for creating letters and simple, one-sheet <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flyers</span>, minimal email, and playing archaic games. By 2000 that exploded into rich email, sophisticated graphics programs and web browsing. Today, I have five email accounts, three websites, write for three blogs, and have a 300 Gig hard drive that is almost full. All of my email, graphics, programs, etc. sit on this six-year-old hard drive. As computers go, this is an antique - and as such, can die at any second, for no apparent reason.<br /><br />Luckily, I back everything up constantly. I've been around the block enough times to know that computers can and will destroy everything you have on a whim. But I've been careful, and have lost almost nothing over the years. The secret to my success is keeping everything backed up.<br /><br />Most people don't even think of this. Most people seem to think, if the computer goes just call a computer guy, pay the $400 and have him restore all your files. Most people find out $400 later that this doesn't usually turn out very well.<br /><br />With some simple, inexpensive systems in place, you can keep from losing everything. Here are a few:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Backup your email weekly.</span> Especially the email you use for business. If your email database, your hard drive or your operating system becomes corrupt, you will lose everything, and it's not retrievable. Outlook, Entourage, Mac Mail - they all have a simple way to save a compressed copy of your entire email database. Save this file remotely...not on your computer...and you will be safe.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Use "Super Duper" or a similar program to copy the entire contents of your computer to a remote hard drive.</span> This will save all of your files plus all of your programs, settings, passwords etc. Save it to an external <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Firewire</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">USB</span> drive, and do this every time you have a major update to your system or add a new program. If your drive dies, you can give the external to the computer guy, and he can format your new drive exactly the way your old one was set up.<br /><br />3. Save all your bookmarks from your web browser. This is easy to do, and will save you a lot of frustration if your browser fries. You can also save your bookmarks online at sites like Delicious.<br /><br />4. Save files often as you work on them. I can't tell you how many times people have cried to me that they lost a half an hour or more of work because their program quit on them and they hadn't saved. My response is always the same: SAVE OFTEN. I hit the save button about once every three minutes, by habit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Use a program such as Retrospect to auto-backup your files.</span> There are several good programs that do this - you set it up once to automatically make a backup of all your computer's or server's files to an external drive, then let it run on its own. We have ours set up to backup every night at 10pm, and we switch out the external drive every other week. The drive not in use comes home with me - so that if there's ever a disaster or theft at the office, we still have a backup of our entire server.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Too much is never too much.</span> I have one computer at home and one at work. Between the two, I have two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Firewire</span> drives, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">USB</span> drive, three <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">USB</span> flash drives, and a stack of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">CDs</span> with backups on them. When my home computer died a few weeks ago, I didn't have to worry about a thing because I had a two-day old backup of the entire hard drive on my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Firewire</span>. I also save copies of the most important files to my ftp site - so if some catastrophe wipes out all my machines, I still have a backup on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Internet</span>.<br /><br />Remember to save often and backup frequently, and you'll save yourself a lot of time, money and heartaches in the long run.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Posted by Christopher Pinto, Creative Director </span>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-52196055024027310052010-02-09T07:08:00.000-08:002010-02-09T07:36:37.179-08:00Toyota Recall and the Used Car Business<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MnUYzbaCAq5wpJ9w6KP7BOGyQ340LXLKHaZvWyDQsycoN_vtcwIN1v0gUSrHFSKgmiTEljP-mem2mBjAXvj1U4CasWYXxqW1g2pX-DK0w9yLfQr0ja9HLQO9s0kek3bh_4Opj-is_xU/s1600-h/Toyota_Logo_Red_WEB.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MnUYzbaCAq5wpJ9w6KP7BOGyQ340LXLKHaZvWyDQsycoN_vtcwIN1v0gUSrHFSKgmiTEljP-mem2mBjAXvj1U4CasWYXxqW1g2pX-DK0w9yLfQr0ja9HLQO9s0kek3bh_4Opj-is_xU/s320/Toyota_Logo_Red_WEB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436267402735337842" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This post is by Guest Blogger Tommy Gibbs, President of Tommy Gibbs & Associates specializing in Leadership Skills and Used Vehicle Management. Tommy Gibbs has over 23 years experience as a New Car Dealer. Today, Tommy focuses on increasing dealers' used car business through unique and proven methods.</span><br /><br />Never in our history have we seen a deal like this Toyota thing. It proves the point that I’ve been trying to make that you cannot hang your hat on your new car franchise and you cannot stock primarily your own brand. Any Toyota dealer that has mostly used Toyotas in stock has a tough hill to climb right now.<br /><br />First, I don’t think there is going to be a run on the bank so to speak with Toyota owners wanting to dump/trade their Toyotas. Even if you’re a Toyota dealer you’re not going to see a lot of these people showing up at your door step. If they bought a new Toyota recently they may show up wanting the dealer to buy it back and that may be the biggest can of worms for the dealers to deal with.<br /><br />Dealers who don’t have a Toyota franchise will not see these people piling up at the front door either. Most Toyota owners are going to sit tight. Overall they are happy with their product and just want to see Toyota get this thing handled quickly. They are a loyal bunch.<br />So, what to do if one of the recall vehicles shows up at your front door to be traded? “Walk softly, but be not afraid.”<br /><br />Sure, any dealer should protect themselves a bit by hitting a used Toyota a little low, but this problem will get fixed and then new and used Toyotas will come back strong. It has been said that Toyota is rich in cash. If that’s true they can advertise and rebate to a point that they grab lost market share back. They have the power to convince the public that all is well.<br /><br />I think the biggest problem for a non-Toyota dealer is that if they trade a “recall vehicle” then they may be at the end of the line for getting the vehicle fixed.<br /><br />Do you remember when the sky was falling on SUVs and Pickup Trucks and gas prices went to $4.00 a gallon? Don’t you remember what happened after the panic wore off and gas prices settled down? I advised dealers not to panic and not to dump those SUVS and Trucks in the wholesale market even if it meant letting some of them sit past the 45-60 day mark. I think dealers may have to take this approach with used Toyotas that might be sitting on their lots. In other words, don’t panic.<br /><br />Dealers have to be careful that they don’t let this recall thing affect their thinking on the entire Toyota brand. Dealers need to get the exact list of the recalled vehicles and make sure their managers know which units are affected.<br /><br />If I had owned a Toyota store today I would let the public know that their used Toyota is still welcome at my store. If I were a non-Toyota dealer I would do the same thing but, would walk softly on promoting this as you don’t want to offend anyone by putting this Toyota thing in their face. I would probably hit most Toyotas I appraise a bit back of book realizing it may have to sit a bit until this thing gets sorted out.<br /><br />Ok, that’s my take. Hope to see you at the NADA convention. I'll be hanging out at the vAuto booth, #1631. If you stop by and say hello I'll give you a free copy of my little book titled "The Little Used Car Book." It's full of tips and ideas that will help your used car business.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">-Tommy Gibbs for Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising</span>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-45108261552882270152010-01-28T07:12:00.000-08:002010-02-02T14:27:50.269-08:00iPad - Another gadget to advertise on?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXVe5f1kSB5R9PaoHPWehpy9EkGv_yCHmqTNd0pvaVkxVmXI-kLVRhL9VLXcbsDgmBsdNi8Jdmc0Sk_DlrsRdHGsa5S94wVlQh4Y_gqcBy7_5XVc-id57MrLhMLaa2PpcpwD49TQyHnA/s1600-h/iPad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXVe5f1kSB5R9PaoHPWehpy9EkGv_yCHmqTNd0pvaVkxVmXI-kLVRhL9VLXcbsDgmBsdNi8Jdmc0Sk_DlrsRdHGsa5S94wVlQh4Y_gqcBy7_5XVc-id57MrLhMLaa2PpcpwD49TQyHnA/s320/iPad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431808880834820690" border="0" /></a><br />Ten years ago, I said (as did many others) that someday soon we'd be reading newspapers on a thin electronic screen, and everything would be wireless. Some people thought we were nuts. Others knew it was coming.<br /><br />On Wednesday, Apple introduced the much awaited <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">iPad</span>, the "tablet" that is sort of a big iPhone, sort of a small computer. With it, you can surf the web through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WiFi</span> or with an inexpensive G3 cellular plan, read <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">eBooks</span> like a Kindle, read newspapers online, play games, use <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SMM</span> sites like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">facebook</span> and twitter, run iWork on it, use it for Keynote presentations, and sync it with your <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">iPod</span>. (Knowing how fast Apple products get updated, it will also make a nice tray for your Martinis in a year.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So what does this mean to the automotive world? </span><br /><br />Well for one thing, it's eventually going to put the power of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Internet</span> into even more hands, more often. It will be easier than ever to look up websites, and research products on the go.<br /><br />For example: A customer wants to buy a new Toyota. They do some research and find that your dealership has the exact model they want in stock, in the pretty blue they've been hoping for. They show up at your dealership with tablet in hand, and talk to your sales person. When he gives them the price, they immediately check it against Dealer B up the street. Dealer B has it in white for $200 less. Guess what? You will probably drop the price for them to make the sale.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">So how can </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">dealers</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> take advantage of this? </span><br /><br />What if every sales person is armed with an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">iPad</span>...<span style="font-style: italic;">They</span> can do the price comparison first, and make a better offer to the buyer. With <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">pre</span>-owned, they can show other similar vehicles for sale in the area, and beat the price or point out the better value in their vehicle. Forms can be filled out right on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">iPad</span> to save time and paper. And with the advent of new apps, the possibilities are endless.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What about automotive advertising?</span><br /><br />Eventually, targeted advertising will become so efficient that you'll be able to practically pick exactly who sees your ad. Someone accessing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">WiFi</span> in the 33322 area code with a 700 credit score looks at an article on the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Camaro</span>...and the local Chevy dealership's ad displays, with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Camaro</span> and an offer. Plus, the electronics wiz-kids are finding new ways to incorporate sponsorships into the games, apps and pages you visit. Wouldn't it be great to have some product placement for your dealership in Grand Theft Auto?<br /><br />The past 60 years has taken us from the Atomic Age to the Space Age, and into the Computer Age. Now we're at the beginning of the Digital Age, and it's going to be a wild ride. Are you ready for it? We certainly are, and we're looking forward to this incredible future.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Christopher Pinto,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Creative Director</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Engelhardt & Partners Automotive Advertising</span><br /><a href="http://epadv.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">http://epadv.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">954-927-2886</span>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-20432832036237712892010-01-21T11:19:00.000-08:002010-01-21T11:25:21.774-08:00Excellent article on Advertising Age<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEZov0ie9L4WCuxSRBwy8ncbYx-4xQWFM1YokDcfZVkFdSzvbZCUI51QNQrGWyqdjpOH7wgUnN3uV-aVkRPikPEd2gnBd0LB_4LsgZ6n9jaBGRnmanyCafetGmBoYMAg6E3qabWvAiw4/s1600-h/facebook-logo-web.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 74px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEZov0ie9L4WCuxSRBwy8ncbYx-4xQWFM1YokDcfZVkFdSzvbZCUI51QNQrGWyqdjpOH7wgUnN3uV-aVkRPikPEd2gnBd0LB_4LsgZ6n9jaBGRnmanyCafetGmBoYMAg6E3qabWvAiw4/s320/facebook-logo-web.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429276141931656994" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >On Advertising Age: </span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Sooner or Later, Facebook Will Launch Its Own Phone</span></span><br /><a href="http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=141627">http://adage.com/digital/article?article_id=141627</a><br /><br />Talks about the future of advertising as it relates to mobile devices. You may need to register to read the article, but it is free.Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-22328087752891924512010-01-14T12:03:00.000-08:002010-01-14T12:04:29.165-08:00The Future of Automotive Advertising<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyD2CXP-iYgcQbbd1KAsG-48hl4mYZ6asgL0Gf8eZbjvjCZG8sMxvs5JV7fM2LL2dkO33isAkRAVi7Nwjp7UoT9-iyi79-khklU5ZpCnPKJ_InH65a8oUdmuZkr7nOf8lD4FCE3NLz-w/s1600-h/explosion-electric-fc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyD2CXP-iYgcQbbd1KAsG-48hl4mYZ6asgL0Gf8eZbjvjCZG8sMxvs5JV7fM2LL2dkO33isAkRAVi7Nwjp7UoT9-iyi79-khklU5ZpCnPKJ_InH65a8oUdmuZkr7nOf8lD4FCE3NLz-w/s320/explosion-electric-fc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426688829747201170" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">We have seen the future of automotive advertising, and it is fantastic. </span><br /><br />We're eager to embark on this exciting journey through the age of digital media. We've been very successful with traditional forms of automotive advertising...print, TV, radio, direct mail, promotions...and have been working with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span> advertising for some time. Now, we are expanding full-throttle into the wide world of the web, integrating it completely with all forms of advertising.<br /><br />In doing so, we've met some of the people who are <span style="font-style: italic;">creating</span> new forms of communication every day. We're learning new technologies and how to apply them to benefit our clients. And most of all, we've found the key to integrating traditional advertising with these new technologies.<br /><br />The future of advertising truly is fantastic. It's going to be hard work, but it's going to be fun, and it's going to be exceptional for our clients.<br /><br />If you're interested in learning more about the future of automotive advertising, contact Dayna <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Engelhardt</span>, President & CEO of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Engelhardt</span> & Partners Advertising at 954-927-2886.Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-55585787749871475152010-01-09T17:26:00.000-08:002010-01-12T08:36:20.092-08:00To Automotive Dealerships: Why the "Buy Here, Pay Here" Guys are hurting your business.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhheF2NbhxFwfEn74_wrK6vU-J0U1YwGXEAUs1HZ9DQjOG6BtibgoUyJxmhQcysVLtkJET3Sb_cMd1_eyqeLNp3H4e8BYBEvjrkT2lCTwzOtaMZnezN5-AOcm07VCx05Q_rrtFLG5CHI/s1600-h/used-cars-sign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhheF2NbhxFwfEn74_wrK6vU-J0U1YwGXEAUs1HZ9DQjOG6BtibgoUyJxmhQcysVLtkJET3Sb_cMd1_eyqeLNp3H4e8BYBEvjrkT2lCTwzOtaMZnezN5-AOcm07VCx05Q_rrtFLG5CHI/s400/used-cars-sign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424916538268345634" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Posted by Christopher Pinto,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Creative Director</span><br /><br />If you have a major dealership moving 100+ new units plus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span>-owned each month, it's easy to ignore the little guy on the corner pushing $1500 rides on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Craigslist</span>. But have you considered the damage many of these small, used-only lots are causing to your business?<br /><br />Recently I started looking for a cheap car for a friend's kid to run around in. I was surprised at what was out there in the $1000 to $3000 range: A lot of junk, with an occasional good car in between. And a lot of lies, from small-time car dealers.<br /><br />After researching, calling, and visiting several "mom and pop" used car dealers in my area, here's what I found:<br /><br />• Every one of these 'dealers' advertised cars that looked great online, but where absolute junk when I saw them in person.<br /><br />• Every one of them had <span style="font-style: italic;">excessive</span> dealer fees, anywhere from $299 to $899...remember, this is on a<span style="font-style: italic;"> $1500</span> car.<br /><br />• All of them had a mechanic shop on site, but none of them seemed to know if the cars had any mechanical problems.<br /><br />One ad read "Absolutely perfect cosmetically and mechanically. Mechanic's special. $899". Yeah, there's a little bit of a contradiction with that one, huh? As soon as I walked up to the car in question, the salesman came from across the lot, practically yelling, "That car's no good!" He went on to explain it had a blown head gasket, a job that he admitted would cost him between $1500 and $2500 to fix, depending on which part of the conversation he was in. He said he'd sell it to someone who understood what that meant, as the car books for $2500 retail, tops.<br /><br />Another guy tried to sell me a $300 used car warranty over the phone on a car I hadn't even seen (It was an eBay auction, and I couldn't see the car before the auction close because he was in Key West on vacation...yeah...sure.)<br /><br />The worst place was basically a junk yard with a used car sign in front. The vehicle was a 1996 Cadillac <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DeVille</span>. The ad for this car showed it being in great condition, and said it looked and ran perfectly. It was advertised on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Craigslist</span> for $1999. I found the same car advertised on Cars.com for $995. When I got there, I found out why: It was a wreck. Cracked windshield, dents down the side, two bad tires, hood wouldn't shut right. Car had 180k miles on it. There was a screwdriver where the gearshift was supposed to be. When I opened it up, it had the distinct smell of a car that had been sitting shut up in a scrapyard for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lonnng</span> time, with an air freshener in it. It started, and sounded like "Christine" from the movie when the car is all beat to hell and in sad shape. This car had all the earmarks of being pulled out of a junk yard and given a fake title. AND...for this $995 car, there was a dealer free of $899. That's right. So, out the door, with tax and tag, the guy would "let it go" for $2000.<br /><br />Yeah, right.<br /><br />Now you're thinking, "We would never do that at our dealership." Of course you wouldn't. You know that your reputation in the community is what keeps your business going and growing. Your mechanics check out your cars carefully, you recon them, and price them fairly. Many of you don't even have dealer fees on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre</span>-owned, and if you do, you post it clearly on the car and in your ads. People at your dealership know exactly what they are getting.<br /><br />Don't they?<br /><br />Consider this: Millions of people out there start out in life with little or no equity. They go to school, start a job, try to build credit and go from there. Most college kids drive junkers...if they're lucky, they get a hand-me-down car from the family. If not, they have to buy something cheap and reliable. Most major dealers won't bother with cheap used cars (except as price leaders) so where do people like this go for cars? Private sellers, and mom and pop shops. So basically, their first impression of car dealers comes from these shady characters. Hence, the stigma of the stereotypical "Used Car <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Salesman</span>".<br /><br />If someone gets burned buying a $1100 car for $2200 and it breaks down in two months, forever will they never trust anyone in the car business again. These are the people who will go through life buying cars cash, or getting loans from their bank to buy cars through private sellers. What does this mean? It means you can be losing thousands of potential customers through no fault of your own.<br /><br />Mad, aren't you? Appalled that someone so dishonest would be in the same line of business that you've worked so hard to make successful. You've played by the rules, you're more than fair with your pricing, and offer good used cars with a warranty. So what can you do? Is there any way for you to off-set this destructive behavior?<br /><br />There is. Some of it you're already doing now. Some of it will need some time, effort, a little money, and the right message. Getting that message out to the right people – that's where we come in.<br /><br />THE MESSAGE: Ask any car dealer in the country what customers want when buying a used vehicle, and you will get the same answers: Honesty, integrity, no hidden fees, warranty, no hidden flaws, vehicle in better than expected condition for the price, and the greatest value possible (or, in other words, the lowest price possible on the nicest car you have).<br /><br />This is the message that you need to communicate. You back that message up with price points that match or are slightly below market value. You monitor your competitor's pricing and adjust as necessary. You only sell good quality cars, and back it up with at least a 90 day warranty. If you have any "As-Is" cars, you throw them in a Bargain Corral and make it clear that these cars are 'what you see is what you get'...and still give your customers a 10-day warranty. Scrap the dealer fees on anything under a predetermined price (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ie</span>, $3000) and proudly post it. Get testimonials from satisfied buyers as proof you are men and women of your word. Then broadcast it to the world.<br /><br />COMMUNICATING:<br /><br />Too many dealers today try to stuff their advertising with inventory, offers and price points. This works in some markets, but eventually it's all going to be a worthless waste of your advertising money. Anyone can sit down at a computer and find the car they want, in the color they want for a decent price. Those who don't are the ones who will get hoodwinked and swindled into paying $2000 for that $500 Ford Escort. You need to use a good section of your advertising to communicate that message of honesty and value to <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> of your potential customers.<br /><br />DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM THE SHADY "DEALERS"<br /><br />This is particularly important if your business is in an area saturated with junk-shop car lots. Communicate to the public that you don't need to use any bait-and-switch tactics to get people on your lot, because your quality of inventory and reputation are enough. Go as far as to say "Buyer Beware" of hidden fees and poor quality in other dealerships (you'll of course run it by your lawyers to make sure you're not crossing any lines or breaking any laws in your state).<br /><br />BARGAIN CORRAL<br /><br />Rope off a corner of the used car lot for a Bargain Corral. This is an old trick that still works today, and is being used successfully by most of our clients. Keep this area stocked with at least ten to twenty vehicles priced under $10,000, the cheaper the better. Offer a short-term warranty, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Carfax</span>, and inspection to show you have nothing to hide. Drop any dealer fees so you have a bottom-line price posted, and make a big fuss about "no hidden fees". Even if buyers aren't aware of big fees at other dealers, they'll know it must be an issue if you're advertising no fees.<br /><br />STAND BY YOUR CARS<br /><br />Never sell a car that is questionable. Stand behind your quality. If something simple breaks three weeks after they buy the 10-day warranty car, fix it. Fix it for free, and make a big deal about it. Make the buyer write you a letter and post on your social media sites how great you are. You can get hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of positive publicity by occasionally replacing a $3<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">00</span> part.<br /><br />KEEP THEM HAPPY, AND MAKE THEM TELL THE WORLD<br /><br />Similarly, whenever you sell any vehicle, get your customer to give you some form of positive feedback, whether online, through a customer survey, or letter. Take a photo of each new customer smiling with their new purchase, and post them on a wall in the dealership for potential customers to see. Ask them to be your friend on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">facebook</span> and follow you on twitter, and follow up with them in a few months to see how they are enjoying their car. If they bought a $3000 car from you in May, by November they may be ready to trade up to a $10,000 car.<br /><br />I hope this post opened your eyes to (or at least reminded you of) one of the difficulties in trying to sell quality used cars. If you'd like to discuss possibilities on promoting these ideas, give us a call at 954-927-2886. We'd be happy to talk turkey.<br /><br />*If any buy-here-pay-here dealership owners are reading this, and you think I'm being unfair, I'd like to hear your input. If you're an honest company, you face the same challenges the big dealerships do.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Visit our automotive advertising website at <a href="http://epadv.com/">www.epadv.com</a></span>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-69297463825962221092009-12-31T14:53:00.000-08:002010-01-12T08:36:06.612-08:00Happy New Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyULRObxRGrAFwOeZ4qvWgMLlJ3N-yTtakHY9Rh76h4vs2S1Vvcs6iyFvEiw3exQhmboL2Pr3j5sz-pbem-2vGnv51XG1rv-6CwUp5MFas530HHs50e-pX1hpriCxWcpSxJoZggND1ACE/s1600-h/happy+new+year+2010.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyULRObxRGrAFwOeZ4qvWgMLlJ3N-yTtakHY9Rh76h4vs2S1Vvcs6iyFvEiw3exQhmboL2Pr3j5sz-pbem-2vGnv51XG1rv-6CwUp5MFas530HHs50e-pX1hpriCxWcpSxJoZggND1ACE/s320/happy+new+year+2010.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421539838329445522" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Everyone at Engelhardt & Partners Advertising would like to wish you a safe and happy New Year's Eve, and best wishes for 2010!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Visit our automotive advertising website at <a href="http://epadv.com/">www.epadv.com</a></span>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7065994669266385851.post-9900435367536495782009-12-29T19:44:00.000-08:002010-01-12T08:35:51.313-08:00Party in the Workplace: 10 Rules for using Social Media with Your Business<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB2LCrUoiH5QEyJTi9SU4jVvKNeV2_b2vao3rrvQhQpOosfVsFGx_-MugF9qMx-AW-EsaV96NuOgOEAnCjAJUU3t1dl5Em3egp23VaVl9-Ly6TM_u2ETdjkVXZPckcUN-eqen07jpQOg/s1600-h/1950's-party.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 124px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUB2LCrUoiH5QEyJTi9SU4jVvKNeV2_b2vao3rrvQhQpOosfVsFGx_-MugF9qMx-AW-EsaV96NuOgOEAnCjAJUU3t1dl5Em3egp23VaVl9-Ly6TM_u2ETdjkVXZPckcUN-eqen07jpQOg/s400/1950's-party.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420878360350480482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Posted by Christopher Pinto<br /></span><br />If you’re reading this, you’re one of the millions of people who enjoy interacting with people on the internet in this ‘new’ phenomenon of Social Media.<br /><br />But SMN (Social Media Networking) is nothing new. It’s the same kind of networking we’ve done for decades, at cocktail parties and meet & greets, at seminars and workshops. It has simply become easier, more accessible, and a lot more informal.<br /><br />Where yesterday’s networking events were strictly business (usually attended by people in business attire seriously looking to promote their products and services) online Social Media sites combine business life with personal life…and that, in many instances, can be bad.<br /><br />There is a reason we have a “work face” and a “home face”. Most of us do things at home or with our friends that we would never think of doing at work. This is called “professionalism”, something too many people are lacking when it comes their online persona. For example, posting pix of last weekend’s hot date at the trendy club might be great for your friends, but your boss and clients might find your antics a little unsettling.<br /><br />This is why it’s very important to be careful how you connect your personal social networks to anything that has to do with work. If you’re going to use social networking for work purposes, you’ve almost always got to keep it separate from your personal life.<br /><br />How do you do that online? Not quite as easy as it sounds.<br /><br />Because of the way everything is linked (the whole purpose of social networking), chances are your personal life and your professional life are going to cross paths. The only true way to protect yourself from having potentially damaging personal information broadcast to clients and co-workers is to not have any personal networking at all. Since this is nearly impossible for anyone who enjoys online social networks, the next best thing is to follow some simple rules that should keep you out of trouble, and keep you looking professional in the eyes of your clients and bosses.<br /><br />Here are some basic guidelines to follow that will help you keep your online persona both fun and professional:<br /><br />1. Limit your exposure.<br /><br />2. Take control of your social networks.<br /><br />3. Never post derogatory or inflammatory content.<br /><br />4. Keep your political and religious views and opinions to yourself.<br /><br />5. Keep your posts upbeat, well-written and professional.<br /><br />6. Let your personality, not your personal business, shine through.<br /><br />7. Don’t junk up your social network with ads and pitches.<br /><br />8. Don’t let your social networking get in the way of real work.<br /><br />9. Post relevant and interesting content.<br /><br />10. K.I.S.S. -->Keep it simple, stupid.<br /><br />Read on for explanations of each topic…<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. Limit your exposure.</span> Depending on your job, there are a lot of things you might not want your co-workers or clients to be aware of. Partying with co-workers might be fun, but can result in some very embarrassing photos. Stay away from the camera. Have fun, but don’t do anything too foolish, and keep your drinking under control. If partying means more to you than your job, then by all means live it up. If you’re serious about your career, keep it cool.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2. Take control of your social networks.</span> Every networking site has email and/or text alerts that let you know when someone has posted content that pertains to you, including tagging you in photos. Make sure you monitor these alerts constantly, and check each one for embarrassing or otherwise unwanted content. Remove as necessary. If the content is on someone else’s page, nicely ask them to remove any reference to you from their post.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. Never post derogatory or inflammatory content. </span>This should be a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people think it’s ok to ‘talk trash’ about co-workers, clients, bosses, or even family members on social networking sites. “Venting” by posting how much you hate ‘Client A’ or think that ‘Boss B’ is working you too hard is an easy way to get canned. Unless you post to them directly, if you say something good about a client or co-worker, chances are they will never hear about it. Post something bad about someone and it will spread like wildfire. Use your head…never post anything you wouldn’t say directly to someone in person.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Keep your political and religious views and opinions to yourself. </span>It’s very easy to get caught up in a discussion about God, guns, and government. Problem is, whatever stand you take, some of your clients and co-workers are going to be on the opposite side of the issue. This can be awkward with co-workers; it can be deadly with clients. Taking sides against a client on even the most inconsequential political or religious issue can cause them to drop you like a rock. Remember, if you’re using social networking for business, you want to build relationships, not destroy them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. Keep your posts upbeat, well-written and professional.</span> This includes using correct grammar and punctuation. If language skills aren’t your strong point, get a co-worker to proof your tweets and posts before you make a fool of yourself. Don’t ever use street talk or slang, unless it fits your business. A bank branch manager posting “Yo, wat up yalls” is the equivalent of spitting on a customer. Also, never post anything negative. You may want to post how much you hate working overtime, and how tired and hungry you are, but it will probably come across as whiney and unproductive. Put a positive spin on everything.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. Let your personality, not your personal business, shine through. </span>The biggest mistake business people make on social networking sites is getting too personal about themselves with clients. Your clients want to know you; they’re interested in things you are doing and places you are going. What they don’t want to know is how depressing your life is. So posting about your trip to Disney World is great. Posting about your trip to the dentist to have an abscess removed is TMI.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Don’t junk up your social network with ads and pitches.</span> This tip really falls under the heading of ‘how to market your business online’, but it can’t be stressed enough that social marketing is all about making relationships, not about pushing product. Your relationships will suffer and you’ll lose followers if you constantly barrage them with offers, commercials and products or services. Make friends. Be upbeat and positive. Let people know who you are and what you have to offer, the way you would in person. When they want a product you’re offering, they’ll remember you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. Don’t let your social networking get in the way of real work.</span> So you’ve joined facebook™, you’re on twitter™, you’ve got a linkedin™ account and you’re digging™ everything you see. These networks take time to cultivate, and to maintain. Decide on a time limit each day, and stick to it. (Some businesses will decide this for you, and monitor your time on SMN sites). If you’re working on something important, turn off your SMN connections and software so you are not interrupted by incoming posts and messages. And keep your time on each site short…if your boss sees you on FB everytime he or she walks by, even if you’re sticking to your time limit, it’s not going to look good for you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. Post relevant and interesting content.</span> It’s great to post videos of punk bands if you’re the manager of a Hot Topic. But if you’re a pre-owned Lexus sales manager in Boca Raton, that’s probably not a good idea. Make sure you understand the likes and dislikes of the people you are marketing to. Post content you think they will enjoy, and especially post things that are informational. The Hot Topic manager can post about where that band is playing, how to get tickets, and make suggestions on what to wear to the concert. The Lexus sales manager can post about the latest developments in hybrid cars, vehicle options, and when the new models will be out. It’s all relative to your customer base.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. K.I.S.S. -->Keep it simple, stupid.</span> Most people don’t have the time or the inclination to read long-winded articles (like this one) online. If it has to be long for informational purposes, bullet-point the major information at the beginning or the article (like this one) so that your readers can get a quick idea of what you are trying to communicate. If it’s something they’re interested in, they will read on. And remember to keep your writing interesting to keep your readers engaged. There’s nothing worse than reading through a post only to find you want to stop half-way through and grab a hamburger. Keep it light, keep it fun, keep it interesting, and your readers will thank you.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Comments always welcome!<br />Visit our automotive advertising website at <a href="http://epadv.com">www.epadv.com</a><br /></span>Engelhardt & Partnershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14908420170942240626noreply@blogger.com1