Hmm and that goes too far because...?

I passed one on Sunday not knowing what it was.
It was an interesting colorful flower pattern, kind of like the entrance to Disneyland.

I thought it was a cool new idea for decorating the freeways like the paintings that we have around downtown then I noticed the "Prius" sign next to it and realized it was an ad.

It's a nice way to advertise though. The colorful design is the main thing you see and the ad aspect is very underplayed.

I'm afraid too many people aren't even going to realize that this is an advertisement for the Prius.

An many will.

Toyota's Prius Marketing Team are a clever lot and they realise by spreading to multiple media they will reach a hugely broader market.

Oops, double post!
That's one way to bump up my meagre post count!

...and make sure you message is seen, much like Toyota.

Tom

and at little or no cost to the consumer

Flower ads. I suppose it's the cute factor that Toyota wants to depict. I'd like to see testimonial ads of owners that tell their mpg's ... both high & low. That way, prospective buyers would know real world mpg's as well as the highs & lows.

.

All they need next is a "Crop Circle" in the shape of a Prius.

The 50mpg Truth Is Out There!

I have to say, I love the car but the advertising... just doesn't do it for me. I don't know who they were trying to reach but it obviously wasn't me. But they obviously know something, because I didn't need the advertising in order to buy the car.

This beautifies our freeways! Way to go!

LOL! Why would we do that when we have PriusChat?!

No, seriously, I understand the point. We think 3rd party testimonials are one of the most powerful ways to tell our story, second only to direct experience with the car. But there is no way Toyota could even touch the kind of authenticity, support, and feedback that PC provides to Prius shoppers and owners. You guys do far more than anything we could ever create.

As the saying goes, "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

I didn't see anyone from PriusTeam out there planting the message!!

Wayne

I think thats kinda cool tho, creative, fun..

John Lisko, executive communications director, Saatchi & Saatchi L.A., Toyota's lead agency, says the subtle approach is central to the campaign's "Harmony Between Man, Nature and Machine" theme.

The effort includes a partnership with Good magazine, called "A Road Map to Harmony," featuring inserts of posters and online documentary video shorts looking at nine issues affecting the global population -- coexistence, health, education, connectivity, exchange, energy, earth, flora and fauna, and sustenance. It was in summer issues of Good and the Sunday New York Times on July 19.

Marketing Daily discussed the campaign with Lisko...

MediaPost Publications Toyota Uses Subtle Approach In Prius Effort 08/26/2009

I'd rather see flowers on the highway than another caveman commercial!

You didn't??? Look closely

Ok, we didn't get our hands dirty, but hey, we're the marketing guys.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales, USA

They can already sell every Prius they make. The car is self advertising. Nothing wrong with the flower beds though.