Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo

mw3538 · 02-02-2006, 02:31 PM

Yesterday morning, Autoblog told you about Mazda's controversial competitive AdWords campaign, which has seen the Japanese automaker purchasing search terms like "Pontiac" and "Solstice" in order to do an end-around on General Motors' new Google-based p.r. initiative.

Since our story broke to the wider Web, it has spawned articles in everything from major dailies to countless tech websites. According to a USA Today article, GM marketing director Mark-Hans Richter proclaimed that the General finds it "flattering that they'd like to take the market-share leader for the last 18 years and compare it to a newcomer."

But who's (Zoom) zoomin' who? Mazda marketing veep Don Romano expressed little remorse at the flak his company's marketing tactics have been generating, adding that the company will continue bidding on brand name keywords and examining other "alternative modes of advertising."

Apparently the nascent roadster war has turned into a cyberbrawl, but for now the two parties are sparring with their gloves on-- at least in public.

Great news for Pontiac!!! It's about time.

http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/31/m...tiac/#comments

**Ming** · 02-02-2006, 02:37 PM

I'm waiting for someone from the "open minded" (pro-import) crowd to jump in and defend Mazda.

"Automakers do this kind of thing all the time!"

Point is, Mazda recognizes its competition, and Pontiac hasn't had competition for Mazda-intenders for a while. Pontiac has the buzz, and Mazda knows it.

GM should go out and pre-emptively purchase what they have to. Maybe buy up words for Mazda's next big release and redirect to a similar Pontiac car.

**TaHoE** · 02-02-2006, 02:44 PM

Way to go GM, it's about time you guys shout out some talk, sheesh. The Solstice is Hot, Hot, Hot.

56 Starchief · 02-02-2006, 02:57 PM

thats right

joe1280 · 02-02-2006, 03:16 PM

i wonder if mazda also bought "sky"

Panzer Sharp · 02-02-2006, 04:02 PM

Owning a Mazda3, I can safely say that outside of the Solstice & GTO, pontiac has absolutely nothing on Mazda.

mkaake · 02-02-2006, 04:03 PM

I think this is being blown a little out of proportion... I went and googled solstice just for kicks, and at the top of the page is a link to pontiac's website. below that is mazda's link, which doesn't actually have a comparison (it's trying to get you to take a test drive), but that's the only mazda I saw...

NemesiSupra · 02-02-2006, 04:05 PM

... ok iam not big on online stuff they did what exacly ?

Aint "Pontiac" and "Solstice" trademarks of GM ? why dont they just sue.

DuSpinnst · 02-02-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzer Sharp

Owning a Mazda3, I can safely say that outside of the Solstice & GTO, pontiac has absolutely nothing on Mazda.

How about a Fusion?

GM-10 · 02-02-2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzer Sharp

Owning a Mazda3, I can safely say that outside of the Solstice & GTO, pontiac has absolutely nothing on Mazda.

Outside of the Mazda,...Mazda doesn't have anything on anyone.

Well except the Mazda 5...ha-ha.

DanCBJMS1988 · 02-02-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

How about a Fusion?

Which is owned by Mazda's parent, Ford.

01cavalier · 02-02-2006, 04:28 PM

This is definitely interesting, havent heard about this one....seems Mazda feels threatened.

mw3538 · 02-02-2006, 04:32 PM

That is sure what it looks like to me! How many of these does Mazda sell a year? Anyone?

Bravada · 02-02-2006, 04:49 PM

If this is true, very smart move for Mazda. If LaNeve was stupid enough to start a campaign and not reserve proper keywords, bad for him

Nevertheless, I don't get any Mazda links when googling Pontiac or Solstice.

Which is not to say that GM probably succeeded in making the roadster market leader play defense.

camaro_freak · 02-02-2006, 04:58 PM

how can you legally buy someone else's trademarked words from Google? Sounds to me like Google is probably pocketing some heavy cash on that deal

02-02-2006, 02:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
mw3538 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Humble, TX Drives: 2006 F150 SCREW Posts: 206	Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac Yesterday morning, Autoblog told you about Mazda's controversial competitive AdWords campaign, which has seen the Japanese automaker purchasing search terms like "Pontiac" and "Solstice" in order to do an end-around on General Motors' new Google-based p.r. initiative. Since our story broke to the wider Web, it has spawned articles in everything from major dailies to countless tech websites. According to a USA Today article, GM marketing director Mark-Hans Richter proclaimed that the General finds it "flattering that they'd like to take the market-share leader for the last 18 years and compare it to a newcomer." But who's (Zoom) zoomin' who? Mazda marketing veep Don Romano expressed little remorse at the flak his company's marketing tactics have been generating, adding that the company will continue bidding on brand name keywords and examining other "alternative modes of advertising." Apparently the nascent roadster war has turned into a cyberbrawl, but for now the two parties are sparring with their gloves on-- at least in public. Great news for Pontiac!!! It's about time. http://www.autoblog.com/2006/01/31/m...tiac/#comments

02-02-2006, 02:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ming GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: SE Texas Posts: 13,417	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo I'm waiting for someone from the "open minded" (pro-import) crowd to jump in and defend Mazda. "Automakers do this kind of thing all the time!" Point is, Mazda recognizes its competition, and Pontiac hasn't had competition for Mazda-intenders for a while. Pontiac has the buzz, and Mazda knows it. GM should go out and pre-emptively purchase what they have to. Maybe buy up words for Mazda's next big release and redirect to a similar Pontiac car. __________________ The Latest: Necromancer A Web Browser for the Commodore 64? Last edited by Ming : 02-02-2006 at 02:40 PM.

02-02-2006, 02:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
TaHoE GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Long Island, New York Drives: 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora 3.5 Posts: 9,848	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo Way to go GM, it's about time you guys shout out some talk, sheesh. The Solstice is Hot, Hot, Hot. __________________

02-02-2006, 02:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
56 Starchief 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: NJ Drives: '56 Pontiac Starchief Hardtop '01 Ford Escape Posts: 1,475	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo thats right __________________ General Motors Today-Tomorrow-Always

02-02-2006, 03:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
joe1280 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brick, NJ Drives: 1999 Monte Carlo Z34 Black Posts: 245	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo i wonder if mazda also bought "sky"

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02-02-2006, 04:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Panzer Sharp Walking Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 8	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo Owning a Mazda3, I can safely say that outside of the Solstice & GTO, pontiac has absolutely nothing on Mazda.

02-02-2006, 04:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
mkaake 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 225	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo I think this is being blown a little out of proportion... I went and googled solstice just for kicks, and at the top of the page is a link to pontiac's website. below that is mazda's link, which doesn't actually have a comparison (it's trying to get you to take a test drive), but that's the only mazda I saw...

02-02-2006, 04:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
NemesiSupra Banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 134	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo ... ok iam not big on online stuff they did what exacly ? Aint "Pontiac" and "Solstice" trademarks of GM ? why dont they just sue.

02-02-2006, 04:28 PM	#12 (permalink)
01cavalier 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, OR Drives: 2007 Cobalt Posts: 4,818	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo This is definitely interesting, havent heard about this one....seems Mazda feels threatened.

02-02-2006, 04:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
mw3538 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Humble, TX Drives: 2006 F150 SCREW Posts: 206	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo That is sure what it looks like to me! How many of these does Mazda sell a year? Anyone?

02-02-2006, 04:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
Bravada 70 MPG Two Mode Saturn Hybrid Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Warsaw, Poland Posts: 10,855	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo If this is true, very smart move for Mazda. If LaNeve was stupid enough to start a campaign and not reserve proper keywords, bad for him Nevertheless, I don't get any Mazda links when googling Pontiac or Solstice. Which is not to say that GM probably succeeded in making the roadster market leader play defense.

02-02-2006, 04:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
camaro_freak 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 3,588	Re: Mazda unapologetically Googley-eyed over Pontiac switcheroo how can you legally buy someone else's trademarked words from Google? Sounds to me like Google is probably pocketing some heavy cash on that deal __________________ John Crichton: It's beer o'clock. Where's my riot?

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