Honda radio ad PHAIL

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Took a little drive in the sunshine today and I thought I'd try out the RDS7000. Tried a CD I had randomly picked up in my last trip to Spain (Tam Tam Go, perfectly pleasant if not exactly groundbreaking music- quite interesting lyrics but they're obviously in Spanish), it did sound good, then thought "alright, let's see what's on Classic FM".

 

The music was surprisingly good, but I decided to turn the thing off when they proudly announced that the news headlines are "powered by the Honda Civic. A unique design, from the racetrack to the road".

 

Come again please?

 

i) To begin with, someone who likes listening to music that's 250 years old is unlikely to mind driving something that's 7 years old.

ii) Even if they wanted a brand new car, they'd be most likely to want something nice and comfortable as opposed to a racing machine. If they had to advertise a Civic, why couldn't they say "super reliable and at least it's not a VW" or some such?

iii) They also got the order wrong- I'd expect a Civic to get raced AFTER it's been taken off the road.

 

I can't believe they are paying for this stuff...I know there's plenty of crap to be found in brochures, but at least they don't cost the manufacturer much...Do you know of any other broadcast media ads for cars that border on the ridiculous?

[dollywobbler]

I don't listen to Classic FM anymore, mainly because of the super-irritating adverts as you mention. The normal ads I can generally block out, but the constantly repeating 'sponsored by' shite pisses me off beyond belief. It's all just marketing bollocks written by people who haven't got a clue.

[Guest]

Honda have always done well selling new Hondas to the older generation, so they advertise quite heavily on radio stations aimed at them, nothing particularly odd about that.

 

The racetrack comment is to do with how Honda develop technology for racing and transfer this to road cars - PGM-FI, VTEC, etc.

 

Happy to help though.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Honda have always done well selling new Hondas to the older generation, so they advertise quite heavily on radio stations aimed at them, nothing particularly odd about that.

 

The racetrack comment is to do with how Honda develop technology for racing and transfer this to road cars - PGM-FI, VTEC, etc.

 

But do older buyers care about the likes of VTEC? Wouldn't you rather tell them about a top-notch car audio setup or a warranty that's going to outlast them?

[myglaren]

I don't listen to Classic FM anymore, mainly because of the super-irritating adverts as you mention. The normal ads I can generally block out, but the constantly repeating 'sponsored by' shite pisses me off beyond belief. It's all just marketing bollocks written by people who haven't got a clue.

 

What Ian said, plus the ambulance chaser ads.

[Guest]

But do older buyers care about the likes of VTEC? Wouldn't you rather tell them about a top-notch car audio setup or a warranty that's going to outlast them?

Not really, I'd just want something which basically explains why Hondas tend to cost more than their rivals, giving a nod to their increased focus on engineering and development. Silvertops aren't stupid, they aren't going to give up a few grand more over a Picanto for nowt. They can actually be pretty shrewd buyers.

 

Honda radio ads strike me as the least annoying of the lot as at least they tend to have an educated-sounding man telling you why the company does things in a certain way, as opposed to club music and a finance offer (Vauxhall) or an absurd "Allo Allo" type voice talking drivel (Citroen).

[RoadworkUK]

What annoys me the most is the crass stereotyping that commercial radio station adverts are prone to.

 

Worst offender; VW Van adverts. I mean, fair play for appealling to the Sun reading, Ginsters munching white-van-driving heartland, but why does every van driver have to be portrayed as sounding like Bob Hoskins channelling Chas 'n Dave?

[warren t claim]

Can someone tell me the name of the american writer who does the Honda voiceovers?

[r.welfare]

Garrison Keillor.

[Shep Shepherd]

I used to listen to Classic FM all the time at home, until the numerous advert breaks drove me to distraction. I now listen to Spotify...

[warren t claim]

Garrison Keillor.

 

Thanks! That was driving me mad!

[KruJoe]

Radio ads R PHAIL.

BBC RULES OK.

[Rhythm Thief]

Radio ads R PHAIL.

BBC RULES OK.

 

Indeed. I H8 all advertising (except "old car for sale, £300 ONO" obviously). Charlie Brooker said everything anyone needs to know about advertising here.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Indeed. I H8 all advertising (except "old car for sale, £300 ONO" obviously). Charlie Brooker said everything anyone needs to know about advertising here.

 

Goodness me. Just confirms my suspicion that not having a TV saves you much more than the BBC tax!