Ever wonder why just about every news story about scooters follows the same formula and focuses on the Vespa rather than other scooters? CooperKatz is doing their job well. (Is that the Adobe Acrobat guy moonlighting in the background of that page?) They’re the people that coordinate Vespa’s events, shop openings, and media relations, including the official blog.
Category: Advertising
Sightings in ads (Print/TV/web)
Kama Scooter
For those of you that think that slow-to-load two-second-long Flash clips featuring two satin-clad chicks dry-humping each other on a Vespa LX would be hot, it’s your lucky day: The Kama Scooter. If they were trying to out-weird Bajaj advertising, they’ve done it. I feel stupid, and kind of dirty, for even posting this. Someone tell Piaggio UK that sending out press releases about a “viral ad”, labeling the site as “Amazing Viral,” and slapping sales messages all over it sorta destroys anything “viral” about it, that’s just called “advertising.”
“Mini Skini” throws Canadians for a loop
Speaking of scooter pranks, another April Fools’ joke slipped past us while we were at the WKRP rally: Mini of Canada announced the “Mini Skini,” (more images)a scooter version of the BMW Mini. Many Canadian news agencies and Mini fans were fooled, despite the “dual airbags” and “all-wheel-drive.” A full-size mockup was created and photographed, a lot of effort for a one-day prank. (The mighty Scooter Scoop, once again, scooped us.)
Australian company speeds up decline of Vespa coolness.
Look Media in Australia has developed a large trailer-mounted advertising billboard to be mounted on a Vespa. (see story in Seoul Times.) Look Media has clearly never ridden a Vespa down Lake Shore Drive in rush hour with a 25mph sidewind.
Hari Patel and the Goblet of Jaadoo
Bajaj’s ads for their Discover DTS-i motorcycle feature a familiar-looking, spectacled young wizard (click on “download goodies” and watch the ad). Anyone know what “Jaadoo” means? Magic?
Take longer to look for bikes
Another reason to move to England: The British Department for Transport’s THINK! safety campaign features a chilling TV spot and an extensive print campaign to remind motorists to keep an eye out for motorcycles. (Thanks, Girlbike)
We’d sing your praises, but with that muffler you couldn’t hear us
Chad sent this Bud Light “Real Men of Genius, Hawaiian Style” radio ad: We salute you, Mr. Moped Souper-Upper.