AOL lands Toyota for multimedia pact

Article Abstract:

Toyota Motor has entered a cross-platform pact to reposition the image of its Camry model from an older woman's car to a younger man's car. The initiative entails buying a bundle of ads in AOL Time Warner's different properties. Time magazine will let Toyota sponsor an issue on global music, and has persuaded four sister magazines to publish concurrent articles on the same theme and to run Toyota ads this fall. This is the first time that editorial content between magazines will be linked. A spokesman for Time Inc. says that the arrangement does not compromise the magazines' editorial integrity. The campaign will use TV and traditional ads for most of the campaign, but will spend over 10% of the campaign budget on online ads to be split between America Online and MSN.

Japan, Diversified Companies, Advertising Activity, Magazine Advertising, Planning, AOL Time Warner Inc., Marketing industry, Toyota Motor Corp., TOYOY, Toyota Camry (Automobile), Time (Periodical)

GM completes process to line up steel; firms may feel more heat to cut costs

Article Abstract:

General Motors Corp. has lined up about $11.7 billion worth of steel from around the world to take care of most of its steel needs for the next four years. Its new process was designed to get the largest U.S. steel customer the best possible prices. With steel prices at rock bottom, a four-year price-lock is a good contract. Analysts expect other large steel customers to try to negotiate similar deals.

Comment:

Company signed several 4-yr. contracts for steel

Primary Iron & Steel, Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing, Use of materials & supplies, Blast Furnace and Basic Steel Products, Abstract, General Motors Corp., GM, Steel industry

Nissan drafts a designer to do the talking

Article Abstract:

Nissan Motor Company is using its chief designer, Jerry Hirshberg as its spokesman for its new line of cars. This is a very different angle from previous campaigns which were critically acclaimed but failed to help the company sell cars. This campaign is managed by Robert Le Plae of TBWA/Chiat/Day who encouraged Hirshberg to star in the ads.

Marketing procedures, Management, Advertising agencies, Automobile industry, Advertising services, Advertising campaigns, TBWA Chiat/Day Inc., Nissan Motor Company Ltd., Hirshberg, Jerry