“Dear Subaru” Advertising Campaign
Carmichael Lynch put together a very bold and clever advertising campaign for Subaru, and it features a photograph that I took of my very own Subaru Outback after I ran it headlong into a boulder going 60 mph. I walked away relatively unscathed, but the car wasn’t so lucky.
This Subaru was 1 of 5 that I have thus far owned in my lifetime. The reasons why I walked away from the accident have much to do with my aversion. When I bought my first one it was for the All-Wheel-Drive and good gas mileage. I would later discover other positive attributes, along with the company’s attention to manufacturing efficiencies and the environment.
With the “Dear Subaru” campaign, Subaru is counting on there being more people like me who have a story to tell. It doesn’t have to be an accident like mine, but anything that demonstrates your affinity for driving their vehicles and the places they take you.
Carmichael Lynch and Subaru are pursuing a multi-channel marketing strategy with targeted ad buys in various publications, signage in dealerships, digital media, and I suspect some outdoor as well. The “Dear Subaru” imagery and messaging is all tailored to encourage conversation about the Subaru brand. People share their stories on the Web, but is so often the case conversations extend from online to offline as well as the reciprocal. It is a clever strategy, and I look forward to seeing how the campaign performs.
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If you see one of the ads featuring my photo and story please tear it out, take a photo, or forwarded it to me online. I would appreciate it!
rpayne said:
“Dear Subaru” advertising campaign features my story and photograph – http://su.pr/1OrQCr #dearsubaru
This comment was originally posted on Twitter
Jemima said:
How cool is that? I’ve told your boulder story so many times, and to think that now I could see it in a magazine…can’t wait to spot it!
Watch Winner! | The OutPost said:
[...] is that he has a blawg or blog, I don’t know how the kids say it these days. His latest post is about an ad campaign that Subaru is doing that uses a picture he took of his ride after it got [...]
Brian Raszka said:
Robert,
Amazing story. Great idea for a campaign and great that you were not injured!
Brandon said:
That Kevin Bacon has ties to everything!
This comment was originally posted on Outdoorzy.com…the blog
Eric E.Miller said:
Eric E. Miller
159 Virginia Park
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Tel:313-354-5470
Date;08/23/09
I would like to find out how to purchase a watch like this one. I am and all-ways have been a outdoorsman and I like running deep to the forest. I am plaining on going on a cambing trip soon so if you can help with that watch that would be great. I would like to pay by credit card or debit witch you prefer.
This comment was originally posted on Outdoorzy.com…the blog
Wolfy said:
It’s a good campaign.
-M
scott said:
Hey Eric,
If you’re looking to purchase a Rendezvous Peak watch, here’s a link to Origo’s online store. Enjoy… it’s a great watch.
http://origowatch.com/catalog.php?cat=2
This comment was originally posted on Outdoorzy.com…the blog
SKYWARNPILOT said:
Robert, you’re living life to the fullest, and it’s appropriate for Carmichael Lynch to spotlight your story. Since purchasing my own Subaru, an’04 Baja Turbo, I’ve been introduced to a group of people as diverse, fascinating and high-adventure as their cars.
My own Subaru has been my platform for thunderstorm research as I gather data on severe weather; as a lifelong aviator and volunteer Skywarn Advanced spotter for the National Weather Service, my Baja lets me safely maneuver for observation, and escape extreme events like hail and flying debris. I get my photos, compare against radar, and have been able to build a database that helps me train pilots on weather avoidance. (Radar sees much but misses more, but a well trained aviator knows how to read into the radar, satellite images to avoid trouble.) Since I like my car too much to let it get damaged, its all wheel drive can’t let me down, and it never has, on road, or off.
Along the way, I meet a lot of Subaru owners who share their stories, and their experiences echo yours. A common thread at the coffee counter at my local dealership is that many are pilots, aerospace engineers, aircraft owners, technicians, mechanics or from other demanding professions where engineering quality is expected.
One USAF friend actually survived taking flight off a California mountain road to avoid a head on collision with a gravel truck. It takes a lot of confidence to pull that one off-and trust in whatever machine you’re ‘flying’. Other pilots and police, fire, EMS professionals, scientists, refuse to drive anything else, and they often have a harrowing story with a happy ending.
Folks like that lead me to my first Subaru, and stories like yours have made me an owner for life-literally.
Robert, you’ve really started something here, but your brush with fate is one for the ages. I’m just glad we’re all around to tell the tales.
May all your adventures lead to more…
Roland
Robert Payne said:
Thanks for your comment, Roland! Sounds like you have a very interesting profession. As you indicate, there is a deeper story here that profiles the individuals behind the cars.
That’s interesting about your friend and the gravel truck as well. I actually had a similar experience with my Subaru Outback that I owned before this one. I was driving in the Ruby Mountains when a crazed driver who didn’t see me forced me off the road. I was able to maintain control down a steep embankment filled with gravel and sagebrush. It was a close call.
We naturally gravitate towards the brands that we see as most closely aligned with our personalities and pursuits.
cathrynviolet said:
“Dear Subaru” Advertising Campaign http://tinyurl.com/l8uwfp
This comment was originally posted on Twitter