Nickelodeon Signs Chrysler as Big Sponsor
Chrysler is going all out trying to pitch its redesigned minivans, particularly the new Town & Country. Today, the company unveiled an advertising and promotional partnership deal with kid-friendly cable network Nickelodeon. In many ways, Chrysler is drawing a line in the sandbox for what is essentially the last great American minivan. Chrysler’s minivans remain the most popular with minivan drivers, but Honda’s Odyssey and Toyota’s Sienna are creeping closer. The foreign competition has essentially forced Ford and GM out of the minivan game, turning the domestics’ attention toward crossovers: SUVs with minivan-like interiors.
It makes a lot of sense for Chrysler to target Nickelodeon; my kids have watched that channel for many years, and frequently (especially when they were younger) would ask me for products they’d seen advertised between “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Jimmy Neutron.” Chrysler is probably hoping that when it pitches Nickelodeon playing on satellite TV in the Town & Country, not to mention the new “Swivel & Go” seats, kids will beg their parents to go out for a test drive.
Using Jimmy Neutron as one of the “pitchmen” for Chrysler is an interesting concept. That character uses his brain — and his inventions — to outwit both his enemies and his parents. Perhaps Chrysler hopes to get some positive ruboff and be seen by the younger set as a “smart” choice for parents.
Personally, my wife and I are perhaps the last two parents who hate the idea of putting even a DVD player in our minivan; we’d prefer that our kids read or sing songs together or play some word games rather than zone out to an in-car TV. Still, it’s impossible to ignore the fact that millions of parents have opted to take exactly the opposite approach; they appreciate the break that having a DVD player or a TV in the car can provide. Of course, one of the big advantages with satellite TV in the Town & Country is that it lets parents go on trips without lugging those DVDs with them.
Chrysler is probably also wise to support Nickelodeon on multiple platforms, since many of the young kids and tweeners I know use Nickelodeon’s websites, and their parents find it to be a safe, fun-oriented place.
Will all of those tykes turn into Chrysler pitchmen and women? That remains to be seen.
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I remember seeing car ads when I was younger and telling my parents all about their features that were advertised. The one I remember most clearly was a 2003 Accord ad that mentioned it's Navigation system. Today, I am 16 years old,and still do it whenever I see a car commercial.
Didn't chevrolet do this with the Uplander?
Putting cartoon characters on cereal boxes sells more cereal so, why not use cartoons to sell more vehicles? We all have inner kids in us so why not tap into that?
You are comparing a $5 box of cereal to a $20000+ piece of machinery. The cereal is eaten in an air conditioned or central heated area, devoid of the noise of traffic (usually) and brings up warm feelings of simpler times.
The car means payments, traffic, road-rage, gas bills, maintenance, and insurance. Warm and fuzzy feelings still there?
Cartoons can sell cereal, but like it was mentioned, Chevy tried it and failed (unless you somehow do not consider the Uplander a failure).
what, I am posting here again? Damn, why is the Torque Reports page so similar?!
This reminds me why McDonalds needs a clown. You need a clown to try and cheer you up after you eat one of their crappy burgers. (Fries are still good though). Anyhow same applies here, lets distract you and your kids while we pedal to you our uninspired design. (But like the Mickey D's fries, the swivel n go seat is pretty cool). Is it just me or are alot of new American vehicles just becoming really boxy? Maybe they should team up with Spongebob instead and their slogan should be "Now even BIGGER and SQUARIER than before!"
Phaeton-
I've noticed the increased boxy-ness lately as well. I believe it to be intentional. It seems to have first appeared on the SUVs and has now made it's way onto other vehicles. Perhaps marketers/designers believe it looks brawny or macho. Certainly when gas was cheap and fuel efficiency unpopular, there probably was little harm in it. Just kind of reminds me of the 80's. Oh well. I guess all styles come back around. (or is that that those you don't study history are doomed to repeat it? :) )
I understand Allen and Phaeton's comments but from all accounts (and we can't really say much) the new T&C is a pretty darn good minivan. So the TV feature isn't a gimmick to sell a POS or anything.
Getting the kids noticing a new vehicle instead of harried parents isn't such a bad idea either. As our suburban dad was telling me his kids constantly talk about what they see on tv and they might even mention "the minivan with Nickelodeon" to parents.
There is a good post in this article about satellite TV it is the future of broadcast communications. A resource for satellite TV is at http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com