'Prairie Home' hypes hybrids

shellfish · 11-15-2005, 10:03 PM

Apparently, even in fictional Lake Wobegon, they're worried about gas prices.

When Land's End, a 17-year sponsor of the "A Prairie Home Companion" radio program, dropped out last summer, Toyota signed up as a major sponsor and underwriter.

The reason, according to "Prairie Home" producer Tony Judge, is that the car manufacturer believes "Prairie Home" listeners will be interested in the company's hybrid automobiles, which run on a combination of gas and electricity. (Comment from Toyota was not available Monday.)

In return for the sponsorship, which began last month, Toyota gets mentions during the show and on the "Prairie Home" Web site. — Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/15/05

Jack 06 · 11-15-2005, 11:36 PM

Toyota's getting pretty hip with niche marketing. Good choice.

tideland_raj · 11-16-2005, 12:32 AM

Incredibly good move by Toyota. Prarie Home Companion is a show (not my cup of tea) that gets lots of viewers in the exact demographic that Toyota wants... middle-america and hmmm... apparently over 4 million listeners worldwide!

Quote:

Today, A Prairie Home Companion is heard by over 4 million listeners each week on over 558 public radio stations

I'm not a big fan of product placements, but I do *so* love my Prius... and it does sound like Toyota did do this at a fortuitous time for the radio show, so maybe that offsets the blatant commercialism

BrianTheDog · 11-16-2005, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tideland_raj@Nov 16 2005, 12:32 AM
Incredibly good move by Toyota. Prarie Home Companion is a show (not my cup of tea) that gets lots of viewers in the exact demographic that Toyota wants... middle-america and hmmm... apparently over 4 million listeners worldwide!
I'm not a big fan of product placements, but I do *so* love my Prius... and it does sound like Toyota did do this at a fortuitous time for the radio show, so maybe that offsets the blatant commercialism

[snapback]156266[/snapback]

At least PHC makes product placement fun! I haven't caught the show in a few weeks, so I haven't heard the Toyota mentions. But if Garrison & Co make the hybrid spots anything like the Ketchup Advisory Board, it'll be a hoot. Hopefully, it won't be limited to a "brought to you by...", like the Land's End spots.

bookrats · 11-16-2005, 09:10 AM

Cool! Norwegian Bachelor Farmers in stealth mode!!

Bionic · 11-16-2005, 09:12 AM

I've heard some broadcasts of PHC since Toyota started this sponsorship, and it is limited to the "Brought to you by Toyota, makers of the HSD, etc etc". Still a nice ad buy, though.
Toyota has been sponsoring "Antique Roadshow" for some time, IIRC, with that catchy "It's a beautiful day" spot

mehrenst · 11-16-2005, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tideland_raj@Nov 15 2005, 11:32 PM
Incredibly good move by Toyota. Prarie Home Companion is a show (not my cup of tea) that gets lots of viewers...

<snip>

[snapback]156266[/snapback]

Viewers? Maybe that's why its not "your cup of tea". Its on RADIO. You know, that box that sets in a living room and everyone gathers around and listens to. I know its kind of a hard concept to grasp. You have to be quiet and not talk (like people "watching" tv do) because there is no picture and if you miss what is being said you loose.

</sacarsm>

Seriously, I don't listen to it often either but having grown up in the era of "The Shadow", "Captian Midnight", "The Green Hornet", "Gangbusters", and "The Jack Benny Show" it's kind of nice to hear a real "live" entertainment style radio program once in a while.

Jack 06 · 11-16-2005, 02:53 PM

Big John and Sparky!

The Lone Ranger!

Burns & Allen!

skruse · 11-16-2005, 02:58 PM

We love Prairie Home Companion! But how will Norwegian Bachelor farmers justify being frugal and purchasing a hybrid "stealth" hay combine? It will be fun to listen how Toyota is slipped into advertisements and songs for duct tape, powdermilk biscuits and Bertha's Kitty Botique heater cats.

autoxic · 11-16-2005, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shellfish@Nov 15 2005, 11:03 PM
Apparently, even in fictional Lake Wobegon, they're worried about gas prices.
— Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/15/05

[snapback]156199[/snapback]

Fictional??? Cripes.... and I trusted them. I'm going home for a ketchup fix.

Okay, seriously, I have heard lots of Toyota hybrid commericals on NPR lately. Now I feel even more hipper than before.

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11-15-2005, 10:03 PM	#1
shellfish Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 17 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Apparently, even in fictional Lake Wobegon, they're worried about gas prices. When Land's End, a 17-year sponsor of the "A Prairie Home Companion" radio program, dropped out last summer, Toyota signed up as a major sponsor and underwriter. The reason, according to "Prairie Home" producer Tony Judge, is that the car manufacturer believes "Prairie Home" listeners will be interested in the company's hybrid automobiles, which run on a combination of gas and electricity. (Comment from Toyota was not available Monday.) In return for the sponsorship, which began last month, Toyota gets mentions during the show and on the "Prairie Home" Web site. — Chris Hewitt, St. Paul Pioneer Press, 11/15/05

11-15-2005, 11:36 PM	#2
Jack 06 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winters, CA: Prius capital of US. 30 miles W of Sacramento Posts: 2,567 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Toyota's getting pretty hip with niche marketing. Good choice.

11-16-2005, 09:10 AM	#5
bookrats Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,843 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Cool! Norwegian Bachelor Farmers in stealth mode!!

11-16-2005, 09:12 AM	#6
Bionic Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware Posts: 129 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I've heard some broadcasts of PHC since Toyota started this sponsorship, and it is limited to the "Brought to you by Toyota, makers of the HSD, etc etc". Still a nice ad buy, though. Toyota has been sponsoring "Antique Roadshow" for some time, IIRC, with that catchy "It's a beautiful day" spot

11-16-2005, 02:53 PM	#8
Jack 06 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Winters, CA: Prius capital of US. 30 miles W of Sacramento Posts: 2,567 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Big John and Sparky! The Lone Ranger! Burns & Allen!

11-16-2005, 02:58 PM	#9
skruse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Great Central Valley, Fresno, CA Posts: 1,227 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 9 Thanked 9 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 2	We love Prairie Home Companion! But how will Norwegian Bachelor farmers justify being frugal and purchasing a hybrid "stealth" hay combine? It will be fun to listen how Toyota is slipped into advertisements and songs for duct tape, powdermilk biscuits and Bertha's Kitty Botique heater cats.