2013 Chicago Auto Show Blog

With each passing year it is costing more money to reach smaller audiences. In the attempt to grab public attention, marketers are trying to make new strategies in order to reach their target. Integrated marketing communications is new and growing field that is captivating the auto industry. With such a high demand for product placement in the automobile industry, car manufacturers such as Ford are creating agencies like Ford Global Brand Entertainment.

Recent examples include the ‘Transformers’ (1 & 2) character Bubble bee which transforms into a Chevrolet Camaro. Also, there is the ‘Twilight’ partner, the Volvo XC60. In the movie ‘Taken’ Audi cars (the A3 and an S8) are driven by Liam Nieson as he speeds down the streets of Paris. It’s almost hard to see where the film begins and the advertisement ends. It seems that slowly movie makers are incorporating more and more product placement into the films we love. Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing I’ll leave it up to you to decide. But, if you want to relive your favorite movie scenes come on down to the Chicago Auto Show!

Hello from the 2010 Chicago Auto Show! We drove in this morning and we are already hard at work. Since our arrival we have already learned how to process credentials, blog on the official CAS website and have taken a tour of the entire floor. As a first time Auto Show attendee, it has been quite the eye-opening experience. Our room in the Hyatt is luxurious and we feel right at home in the Windy City!

The scene on the floor is an extravaganza. There are crates, tarps, ladders, cranes and cars everywhere you look. It's amazing to think that the entire show is put together in only four days! The CAS set-up crews are working diligently to make sure that everything is ready by tomorrow night. Here in the media center we've already met some high-profile media such as Charlie Wojociechowski from NBC5 News.

(Check out his report http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/AutoShowFacebook-83830162.html )

We've also been greeted by Dave Sloan (CATA President and Co-Auto Show General Manager) and Jerry Cizek (Co-Auto Show General Manager) from the Chicago Auto Show Executive Board. The entire CAS staff has been extremely helpful and so inviting. This week looks like it will be a lot of hard work but it will be great fun and very rewarding!