Swagger Wagon Meet Country Squire

I first have to say, this video cracks me up!



Advertising is about selling a story - and their story is loud and clear: Yeah, you're a parent, but you're not.... your parents. You're cool. You're hip. They start off with the dad "rolling hard through the streets" (:30) and the mom "used to party as a college chick"  but now she's "cruising to their playdates looking all slick" (:50).

Advertising is about knowing your target audience and knowing what they really want. Then tell them that you've got it... and what they really want isn't a car - it's a lifestyle, an image.

So, I googled and found a comparison for you:



Wow, we can debate racism in the Sienna, but how does that Ford strike our modern feminist sensibilities? Notice they're only speaking to "the American man [who] is many things" (:08). Compare that to the Sienna wife who handles the money (1:26).

Also, to target their audience of the do-it-yourself breadwinner, they list the load space and engine features (:45, 1:00). Because, you know, men have to care about that stuff, even when they're looking for status at a low price.

Their story? It's about having a vehicle that is versatile - beautiful and practical (:19). But if you notice, there's a subtle message of wealth to go along with it. Just look at the names for the different wagons: the Country Squire and the Park Lane.

Anyway, back to the story being told by Toyota. They're telling it loud and clear with a whole series of videos that aren't commercials. Well, they are, they're just not paying big money to put them on TV. Another example of how times are changing - the best advertising now is viral.

Oh, so you wanted some Christian take on this. Okay: What story are we telling? Is it clear or are we confused ourselves? And also, Christians could learn something about evangelism from marketers.... know what people want / need first, and then tell them about the gospel.