Audi launched the second "Meet the Beckers" web video which chronicles a severely deranged family. This episode shows two brothers out to purchase a turkey. The Audi driving brother is smooth and intelligent while the brother who drives the BMW is made about out to be a complete idiot.
It is obvious why manufacturers are pursuing advertising of this nature. For the most part it is less expensive than massive TV or print ad campaigns, and the ability to adapt to current events or topics makes the internet the perfect venue for such campaigns.
The Audi campaign is a little over the top with every stereotype thrown in for good measure, well except for the Audi driving folks, but is it effective?
Well here, watch the video and then decide...
I guess the question is this, after watching this video, are you grabbing your jacket and car keys with the intention of heading on over to your local Audi dealer to drive the new A4? Sure you can try to argue that that is not the point of the video, but I would argue that it is exactly the point of the video. Audi isn't investing money to not sell cars, it is all about selling cars. And if you think the purpose is anything other than to sell cars, well lets just say for as big a tool as Audi has made the BMW driver out to be, the fact is if he walks through the showroom doors to buy an A4, they will sell him an A4.
Aside from a laugh or two at a bad joke, does this form of advertising work for you, and would you buy a car based on this kind of promotion?
A special thanks to reader tryme for the heads up on this video.
Also, be sure to check out the 2008 SEMA Auto Show Photo Gallery