Fictional Ford Focus Marketing Team Visits AUTOMOBILE Magazine
Ann Arbor, Mich. (October 7, 2011) – Source Interlink Media (SIM) today announced the launch of an all-new web-based video series starring the staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine and the fictional Ford Focus marketing team of John and Doug. The series of humorous video vignettes, live on the AUTOMOBILE Magazine website, are part of a program aimed at raising awareness and consideration for Ford’s new Focus by engaging consumers and enthusiasts.
Shot at the headquarters of AUTOMOBILE Magazine in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and at Ford’s proving grounds in Dearborn, the videos are based upon the premise that John and his counterpart, an orange spokes puppet named Doug, visit the offices of AUTOMOBILE Magazine to provide information on the new Focus to the staff of the magazine.
In one video, John and Doug present a PowerPoint to the staff aimed as a general overview of the Focus. Doug sabotages the presentation by inserting his own commentary and comparing his love of the Focus to his other favorite thing in life, a club sandwich. In another video, the two marketers bring the staff to Ford’s test track to showcase the performance and handling capabilities of the new car. While John is presenting the features and benefits of new technology outside the car, Doug is hitting on a staffer inside the vehicle. The series of videos are available throughout September on AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s website at www.automobilemag.com/doug-the-puppet/ford-focus.
“We have been closely following this irreverent, grass-roots series, and we’re impressed with Ford’s bravery,” said AUTOMOBILE Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jean Jennings. “The improv comedians involved are really quite hilarious and we took a chance, too. What resulted was an inside look at our publication and an informative and funny series of segments starring the Focus. We all had a lot of fun shooting them. I think people will find the videos pretty entertaining; it was great getting the whole staff involved.”
“Our collaboration with Automobile Magazine on the Focus Doug videos is a natural extension of the campaign itself. We knew we had to think differently for the demographic we were trying to reach for the Focus. By partnering with media outlets that understand the need to experiment with the traditional advertising model, it is consistent with consumers’ needs for more engaging and entertaining content.”
As one of the largest publishers of multimedia content for enthusiast audiences around the world, Bonita Springs, Florida-based Source Interlink is responsible for producing AUTOMOBILE Magazine and a host of other brands including Motor Trend, Hot Rod, European Car and Four Wheeler.
About AUTOMOBILE Magazine
AUTOMOBILE Magazine, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, is America’s leading automotive lifestyle publication and reaches 4.6 million readers monthly; through its print, online and digital components the brand counts an audience of over 6 million. Automobile Magazine, which presents annual All-Star and Automobile of the Year awards, is written for the sophisticated enthusiast and profiles high-end vehicles with compelling editorial and photographic content. For more than 25 years, AUTOMOBILE Magazine has set the standard for automotive journalism, maintaining its devotion to auto adventure and an editorial approach that emphasizes “No boring cars!”
About Source Interlink Media
Source Interlink Media is the premier source of special interest media in the United States. With more than 70 publications, 90 websites, 800 branded products, 65+ events, and TV and radio programs, SIM is the largest provider of content to enthusiast communities interested in automotive, action sports, marine and other niche activities. The division’s strategy is to wholly focus on targeted audiences by leveraging and expanding upon its core market-leading brands through a multiplatform media approach.