Article: Toyota hawks 'cheeky' Yaris to youth; Automaker uses mass media to show car's personality.(marketing)

Byline: Marc Graser

MySpace.com? Check. Video game? Got it. Mobisodes? Of course.

Like other automakers, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. is embracing branded entertainment as a way to launch a vehicle - in this case, the new Yaris small sedan and hatchback. Branded entertainment builds vehicles and other products into the content of TV shows, movies, video games, Web sites and other venues.

Many car companies produce one-time branded content: short films, "advergames'' or sponsored music tours. By contrast, Toyota is employing every platform it can.

That's especially important for the demographic it's seeking. Toyota is aiming the Yaris ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!