The excitement is over , the dust has settled, so it’s back to reality.

Last week, history was made, but after all the jubilation, reality bites!

The current financial crisis is taking prisoners and the latest victim is the automobile industry. Specifically the Big 3 car companies in Detroit; GM, Chrysler and Ford Motor Company. This financial crisis is now so serious that GM & Chrysler have held preliminary merger talks.

There has been speculation in the media as to whether the government is going to bail out these three companies, AGAIN. However, the latest news reveals another bailout may be unlikely at present.

Considering that less than two months ago, the Big 3 received $25 billion, in loans to help keep them operational, this is not surprising.

What is alarming however, is that they’re still in trouble and naturally due to the economic conditions they want more .

But, is more money really the answer? Should the government give another $25 billion to these companies, after it has already provided $700 billion in an attempt to stimulate the US economy?

As I mentioned in my first post, this semester I’m taking Creative Strategies IMC 615 with Dr. Stultz. To those of you who have not yet taken this course and for those among you who are prospective students, I’m sure my fellow classmates will wholeheartedly agree with me when I say that this course is truly designed to

That said, I would like to use this week to engage all of you in an interactive discussion as to whether you agree with my point of view that more money is not what the auto industry needs. This is a perfect opportunity for these companies, to prove their worth. Since there is a school of thought that believes they helped create the problem so they should be instrumental in fixing it. This semester I’m using so
I’m hoping the discussion will focus on Ford primarily, though I’m open to all discussions and points of view on this topic.

A visit to some of the blogs, news sites and other sources reveal that Ford’s reputation for customer service is not good at all. This is unfortunate for Ford, since when consumers are they’re more inclined to drop the companies that provide the least customer satisfaction.

If we use the ‘delighted customer’ premise of the video, do you think the possibility exists that Ford will be able to retain its current customers and maybe attract new ones to ‘delight’ through creative advertising?

In a time when consumer reports indicate that conscious consumers are more inclined to spend their hard earned money with socially responsible companies, does Ford even stand a chance pushing their brands of gas guzzling trucks and SUV’s which are not environmentally friendly? Or is Ford making strides with the production of smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles?

There are very few people who do not know of the James Bond franchise; and Ford’s creative strategy in getting its new models featured in the recent Bond films seems like a positive step, would you agree?

The 2009 Ford Ka will be featured in the upcoming Bond film ‘Quantum of Solace’, just as the Ford Mondeo was featured in the 2007 film.

Another creative strategy used by Ford is the mini-movie promoting its Lincoln MKS.

I’m sure you may be asking how will advertising help those who can’t afford to pay their mortgages and don’t have jobs. That’s a very real concern. But if Ford uses its creative strategies to engage those who can afford its vehicles through creative advertising what do you think its chances of survival are? And what are some of the creative strategies you feel Ford should use?

One major initiative I’m recommending Ford employ is utilizing Ford Credit Company to its advantage to gain significant ground on its other two competitors.

I share with you two points from my Ford Creative Brief that may serve to spark discussion:

What is the single most persuasive idea we (Ford) can convey?
Ford Motor Company is committed to manufacturing vehicles that are affordable, innovative and ideal for the customer.

Why should they (customers) believe it?
Ford has a history of meeting the needs of the consumer evidenced in its different brands.

I’m encouraging all feedback including the not so good ones, I’m sure to hear about Ford.

It was a little challenging finding a song in keeping with the content of this week’s blog post. Truthfully I didn’t really search that hard. I’m feeling like I want leave you this week with one of my favorite musical artists, who’s lyrics are so powerful they never fail to keep me feeling uplifted. The LATE, GREAT Robert Nester Marley. He truly was a man, ahead of his time.

His legacy lives on through his children. Here’s a video with Nas and Damien Marley that is one of my favorites.

Until next week!