Did Ford Marketing Get Sent On Xmas Holidays Early?

Mark351 · 03-12-2008, 10:55 PM

Nothing on the website about the gongs they've won recently, except for the ute winning BFYB which was a few months ago now?

You have to wonder if they're in the business of selling cars, or just manufacturing them and hoping people buy them. Ford aren't clever enough yet to let social marketing and viral marketing on the net do the work for them alone outside of Ford based forums so what's the story?

747jet · 03-12-2008, 10:58 PM

i think ford sacked then all lol

Pedro · 03-12-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark351

Nothing on the website about the gongs they've won recently, except for the ute winning BFYB which was a few months ago now?

You have to wonder if they're in the business of selling cars, or just manufacturing them and hoping people buy them. Ford aren't clever enough yet to let social marketing and viral marketing on the net do the work for them alone outside of Ford based forums so what's the story?

One can only draw the conclusion .. there is NO marketing department at Ford Austalia.

Who else but enthusiasts on this forum know there is a new model Falcon ... and about all the awards it has won for safety, fuel consumption, etc. etc. etc. ????????????

Rob's 76 Effy · 03-12-2008, 11:13 PM

Why pay for marketing when theres ppl like on here singing a chorus line for them for nicks

:

Windsor220 · 03-12-2008, 11:18 PM

Has anyone stayed up late at night to see if there is any Ford ads? Like the Mr Plow ad on the Simpsons lol.

Richmalbill · 03-12-2008, 11:23 PM

I raised the point on another thread, but I have to agree this is nothing short of a bloody disgrace. Let's look at this:

The large car category for the Best Car is the smallest of the lot and blind Freddy could see the newest car there was streets ahead of the other two finalists. So do you think perhaps Ford might have had some incling they might be up for an award? Perhaps, I don't know, setting up the website to pop off the streamers and balloon the very instance it was announced (like Hyundai did) might not have been beyond the realms of human possibility.

I'm almost to the point of thinking that if Ford cannot get it's act together in such fundemental areas such as sales and marketing then it clearly does not have the right to be in the business of selling cars. It's an effin' disgrace that the only one's heralding the achievement are us the fans - preaching to the converted if ever there was.

Richmalbill · 03-12-2008, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer_Me

Why pay for marketing when theres ppl like on here singing a chorus line for them for nicks

:

Yeah, but we're already convinced that it's a good car. They need to go out and sell the car to those mongies that reckon a camry is a good thing.

I'm sure most of us extol the FGs virtues to our friend, but it shouldn't be up to us.

Richmalbill · 03-12-2008, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torxteer

Has anyone stayed up late at night to see if there is any Ford ads? Like the Mr Plow ad on the Simpsons lol.

Probably channel 31 is their limit these days.

747jet · 03-12-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torxteer

Has anyone stayed up late at night to see if there is any Ford ads? Like the Mr Plow ad on the Simpsons lol.

hey it on now lol

4Vman · 04-12-2008, 07:55 AM

Great.. another Ford Marketing Bashing thread.....

Look at the current economic climate and relative financial positions of Ford V Holden and tell me Ford should throw more money on pointless commercials...

:

whales · 04-12-2008, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Great.. another Ford Marketing Bashing thread.....

Look at the current economic climate and relative financial positions of Ford V Holden and tell me Ford should throw more money on pointless commercials...

:

Agree 100% How many more times are we going to have this sort of thread

Pedro · 04-12-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Great.. another Ford Marketing Bashing thread.....

If you are content with Ford's marketing ... so be it.

The majority of the thinking members of this and other Ford forums are totally frustrated by the lack of it.

And their voices of disapproval and concern are confirmed by the outgoing Ford Australia CEO with his conservative comment that "we didn't do the job properly on the release of the FG".

The release advertising was as exciting as watching paint dry.
There was NO trumpeting the Bathust triumph ... NOT EVEN A PRESS AD.
There's been NO chest beating on class winning safety.
Nothing about ANY DAMNED THING!!!!!!!

4Vman · 04-12-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedro

If you are content with Ford's marketing ... so be it.

The majority of the thinking members of this and other Ford forums are totally frustrated by the lack of it.

And their voices of disapproval and concern are confirmed by the outgoing Ford Australia CEO with his conservative comment that "we didn't do the job properly on the release of the FG".

The release advertising was as exciting as watching paint dry.
There was NO trumpeting the Bathust triumph ... NOT EVEN A PRESS AD.
There's been NO chest beating on class winning safety.
Nothing about ANY DAMNED THING!!!!!!!

I really couldn't give a hoot about Fords direct advertising because i don't see it as self gratifying entertainment like most of the whingeing fanboys do.

Brand image is far more important. Brand image is not created over night with ****y ads or chest beating commercials, its subliminal as much as its pronounced.
Ford have bunkered down, something that may in fact ensure its survival.

Scott · 04-12-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Ford have bunkered down, something that may in fact ensure its survival.

Ford US have advised they are doing the exact opposite. They said they are looking at more models whilst the Chrysler's & GM's are reducing their line up.

No point spending all those billions on new cars and generating new markets if you aren't going to tell anyone about it.

I am not a fan of Ford AU's marekting dept... overrated, under achievers.

Biggav · 04-12-2008, 11:54 AM

well then if ford actually did some sort of advertising like a bilboard here and print add there, radio spot there not much asked for we wouldnt have these bashing threads.

so until ford look at themselves, "the people" = us fans are voting with our fingers and thoughts, not so much with our feet.

csv8 · 04-12-2008, 02:26 PM

HOLDENS new ad is a sign of the times. Their "TOUGH TIMES " ad gets the message out that yes times are tough but we are doing something about it" Whats FORD doing ????
Not printable is my answer. IF FORD wins WHEELS COTY next months, FORD can have Simon and Garfunkels song as their theme song " SOUNDS OF SILENCE"

dom_105 · 04-12-2008, 02:45 PM

The Marketing Department at Ford Australia.

SM1DY · 04-12-2008, 02:48 PM

HAHAHA^^^^ Priceless, or maybe cost cutting.

irlewy86 · 04-12-2008, 02:50 PM

COTY was annouced yesterday, did you expect them to do a Carlton FC and expect the win. If they make a huge song and dance about the COTY what happens next year when the VF wins it, turn around and say "oh those silly awards mean nothing"

Ford has sponsorship of the ACB which means an intensive summer of Mondeo, Ranger and Falcon advertising that is already paid for. While GMH and Toyota are left out of the show.

Marketing is just a straw man for some people.

4Vman · 04-12-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggav

so until ford look at themselves, "the people" = us fans are voting with our fingers and thoughts, not so much with our feet.

and never with your wallets.... its easy to be a critic and never a customer.

Redrum · 04-12-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom_105

The Marketing Department at Ford Australia.

That door has a sleight edge to its marketing approach

FPV+fteT3 · 04-12-2008, 04:35 PM

Ford recieving so many accolades recently and don't use any of them what a waste may as well give car of the year to someone who will atleast let everyone know there happy about it.

FORD EXEC: Hey boss we just won car of the year

MANAGER: Thats nice put the gong with the 3 bathurst wins on the water cooler.

SERVICE MANAGER: Hey our LPG dedicated Falcon gets comparable economy with a 4cyl car

MANAGER: Dont tell anyone we want to sell the imported focus not the new FG, I know times are tough but if we just bunker down and put our heads in the sand and do sweet _ _ it will be ok.

4Vman · 04-12-2008, 04:52 PM

I was thinking more along the lines of this:

Mate 1: hey mate, i was thinking about buying a new car, i like the look of the FG Falcon, what do you think?

Mate 2: na mate, don't buy it, Ford never spend any money advertising it, so it won't give you anything to brag about..

Mate 1: um, but its a good car, i've looked at one, and its got heaps of features including excellent fuel economy, its safer and offers way more than the commodore?

Mate 2: it doesn't matter, if Ford won't spend money with feel good ads i won't buy one, buy the commodore, its not as good but i love the TV ads..!.

Mate 1:.. hmm what the...?

Seriously.. how dumb and gullible do some of you think consumers are?

mcflux · 04-12-2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmalbill

Yeah, but we're already convinced that it's a good car. They need to go out and sell the car to those mongies that reckon a camry is a good thing.

I'm with this bloke. If you've got a kickass product, let the people know about it!

Holden appeals to the masses with emotive advertisement. Ford does nothing.

For those who talk about the cricket advertising. That's great, if you watch cricket. All I've seen so far have been "Ford" adverts where a tired joke is used about evening up two teams for a game of backyard cricket, then the Ford logo appears. Yep, that'll sell another Falcon. Good on Ford for sponsoring the cricket though.

4Vman, you need to attract the people to the product at least. Holden beat their drum about awards for the VE & how awesome their Calais is compared to Euro cars, etc. If you were in the new car market for a large car, you'd want to check one out to see what the fuss is all about... I'm tipping the average new car buyer out there has no idea about Ford's 5 star safety rating, COTY, and all the other gongs they've picked up (hell, those are the only two I can think of)

BRB, making my fingers jump along powerlines & (swear filter ate my chosen word)...

FPV+fteT3 · 04-12-2008, 05:06 PM

Yea your right lets not tell anyone how good our cars are then they can buy and look at cars that they have heard about and know about thru mainstream advertising cause the adds get peoples attention and get people interested enough to come in then the salespeople can atleast have a go.

sleekism · 04-12-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I was thinking more along the lines of this:

Mate 1: hey mate, i was thinking about buying a new car, i like the look of the FG Falcon, what do you think?

Mate 2: na mate, don't buy it, Ford never spend any money advertising it, so it won't give you anything to brag about..

Mate 1: um, but its a good car, i've looked at one, and its got heaps of features including excellent fuel economy, its safer and offers way more than the commodore?

Mate 2: it doesn't matter, if Ford won't spend money with feel good ads i won't buy one, buy the commodore, its not as good but i love the TV ads..!.

Mate 1:.. hmm what the...?

Seriously.. how dumb and gullible do some of you think consumers are?

More like:

Mate 1: Hey mate I'm looking at buying a new car.

Mate 2: Well the Corolla is a reliable and economical car and the Commodore is a classic Australian car with strong performance. There is also Mazda and Mitsubishi.

Mate 1: What about Ford??

Mate 2: That old taxi. It has an engine from the 60's, is slow, has leaf springs and will break down up the road. Plus a Commodore will always use less fuel.

The average man on the street us unaware of the Falcon. I have often been "informed" that the Falcon has leaf springs, uses heaps of fuel compared to Commodore (E-series stigma), have old technology, are slow etc. etc. etc.

The "facts" I hear about Falcons are from your typical 40+ white collar new car buyer and they are buying and recommending Corollas and Commodores in droves. If they are feeling adventurous they will buy a Mazda 3 or Lancer. Falcons are not even considered and the sales speak for themselves.

Daymoe · 04-12-2008, 06:09 PM

Its not the advertising that is the problem... well it might be part of the problem but let me quote someone:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whirlpoolian

Its an aussie made car... they now have 999 more problems to find and fix....

Its the perception the public have of Ford as a brand is what I think is the problem, people see the badge and assume its a crap car. Though this is a broad example, but its more predominant against Ford out of the two.

mcflux · 04-12-2008, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleekism

uses heaps of fuel compared to Commodore (E-series stigma)

First I've heard about that "stigma". I remember years ago (when Ford actually advertised) they were talking up either the EB or ED, sayingit was 17% more fuel efficient than the VP or VR commodore. The advert finished with the fuel flap closing itself.

AUIIForte · 04-12-2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

I really couldn't give a hoot about Fords direct advertising because i don't see it as self gratifying entertainment like most of the whingeing fanboys do.

Brand image is far more important. Brand image is not created over night with ****y ads or chest beating commercials, its subliminal as much as its pronounced.
Ford have bunkered down, something that may in fact ensure its survival.

I believe that you don't know what you are talking about.

EDIT: Nobody cares if you give a 'hoot'. But Ford Australia should care about the advertising of their NEW car. (which is an AMAZING car)

You say "Brand image is far more important", how do you think this image is achieved?

You should wake up, because that kind of image IS created over night. By crazy and ****y ads. Just face it, you know nothing of the advert market if thats the way you think. The only way to get an image out, is to show it off as much as possible.

(Havn't read the other posts because His post needed a response from me)

Daymoe · 04-12-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUIIForte

I believe that you don't know what you are talking about.

As I said, brand image is important. If everyone thinks that Ford is a piece of crap and can't make cars to save themselves, people won't buy their cars, you could spam Ford advertising 24/7 over all channels but people still won't buy them because they think they're crappy. I think thats the problem, BRAND IMAGE.

Ford doesn't have a good brand image, and hell, going by their dealerships and servicing departments, that we experience, thats even worse. If we don't go to Ford servicing, the Ford "enthusiasts", what the hell is the average joe going to think?