BMW Motorcycle in a Lincoln Commercial!

[Ed K]

Ok...who else saw the BMW R bike in the Lincoln TV commercial?

(I'll bet they thought we wouldn't notice.)

[bum-bull BMW]

I saw it, helicopter was pretty sharp, too!

[BobFV1]

Here it is! It is called "Followers" - click play.

They could have picked a more photogenic BMW motorcycle for the commercial, but instead they got the "ugly duckling" of the motorrad line. Oh well, it's a quick shot and it's still a nice piece.

http://www.lincoln.com/extras/tvads.asp?ad=1

[GPM]

Here it is! It is called "Followers" - click play.

They could have picked a more photogenic BMW motorcycle for the commercial, but instread they got the "ugly duckling" of the motorrad line. Oh well, it's a quick shot and it's still a nice piece.

http://www.lincoln.com/extras/tvads.asp?ad=1

"ugly duckling" ?? It didn't look anything like an RT to me. :065:

[BobFV1]

"ugly duckling" ?? It didn't look anything like an RT to me. :065:

Damn - I knew that I was hanging a curve ball out there and that someone with a rapier wit :badgrin: would recognize the fact that I own a bike which looks great from three angles but from the front can only be described as, well, tadpole-like:

(Here it is next to my other sassy German import:))

http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/14692065-M.jpg

[GPM]

Sorry, couldn't resist.

BTW, what's all that stuff under the VW?? Is she having the same reaction to some of the pics being posted here as her daddy???

[Dallara]

Actually, what other bike could Ford (or Lincoln, if you prefer) have possibly used?

In two distinctly different ways using a BMW shows quite a bit of creativity on the ad producers part. First, if you are selling a luxury car you want it compared to things that are perceived as luxury items - paradigms of a well-to-do lifestyle if you will. What motorcycle brand better illustrates the same sort of persona as the market Lincoln is trying to capture? Something like a Ducati or MV Agusta would be a bit too sports oriented, and something like a Harley too gaudy and obsolete...

(Besides, a Harley wouldn't be able to keep up with a Lincoln Zephyr... :badgrin: :eusa_dance: :badgrin: )

And they certainly wouldn't want to use any Japanese bikes... After all, Lincoln desperately wants to be compared to BMW.

Which leads to the second way I imagine Ford is using a BMW for the motorcycle in the ad... To try and present the illusion that BMW is somehow *following* Lincoln. And what BMW motorcycle model is more recognizable as a BMW that a GS? No other model in BMW's line-up has a more instantly recognized *face* than a GS.

Both subtle, to be sure... But believe me, those ad writers and producers think about these types of things all the time. I know because the factories are always trying to use these kinds of tricks on us (Lincoln-Mercury dealers).

Cheers!

Allan (Dallara)

[DarthRider]

Boy, are you right about ad writers & marketing guys using a lot of subtle little twists & jabs in commercials & ads.
This is part of what I do here...one of the most fun parts!
2 weeks ago in a meeting that was supposed to just be mag ad scheduling, we morphed into conceptualizing 4 new ads, then morphed again into a new marketing strategy based on changing our "image" and more "in your face" ads aimed at competitors...and some other stuff (HEE HEE!)
Between dancing with staying away from using ANY HD protected images, logos, product names, etc. and "going after" competitors in a funny, "friendly" way, and not appearing obnoxious to the buying public, and actually *selling* something, it is a challenge, and a fun one at that!
This is something relatively new for me and it's great fun to work with and learn from the pros here...all but one of which are serious enthusiasts.

Dave

[Deans BMW]

I love the word....paradigms......paradigms......paradigms... ...


Kind of reminds me of the pic of Bob, not the gay mole....you know, in his pink dress

[BobFV1]

That's a parasol, you old coot:eusa_drool: !

[Deans BMW]

In your parasol,..................only you could pull that off.

You da man.....

[Ed K]

Perhaps I should not point this out...but...

Observation: Posted the exact same note about the Lincoln / BMW commercial on the 'other' site, at virtually the same time.

On the Motorcyclist Cafe there were 10 thoughtful replies, including the actual commercial itself... and the 'other' site there were...no replies at all.

Interesting.

[BobFV1]

Perhaps I should not point this out...but...

Observation: Posted the exact same note about the Lincoln / BMW commercial on the 'other' site, at virtually the same time.

On the Motorcyclist Cafe there were 10 thoughtful replies, including the actual commercial itself... and the 'other' site there were...no replies at all.

Interesting.

Ed -

What can I say - the management over there created an environment that a core of us could not tolerate so here we are,and glad to have you aboard. Our band of misfits will not be everybody's cup of tea, for sure, but you can always find someone with something interesting to say here at the cafe.

Oh yeah - we don't mind the occasional hijacks, either. Like this one.! :eusa_drool: