Not long after making it to the top of Digg, a viral Toyota Prius ad was pulled from the web after frazzling citizens of Fresno, California. The "Anthem" ad mocked the CA city for being pass-through tourist stop which not only upset locals, but also senator Dianne Feinstein. Toyota ended up pulling the ad and apologizing for their "serious error in judgment" and said in an effort to make up, would consider building a plant in the city, in which case a council member said he would be "willing to forgive Toyota."
The narration of the ad:
"In the future, the worst crime imaginable will be telemarketing. Parking tickets will be written by only the finest convenience. Single finger salutes will mean something nice, like "Howdy neighbour, looking good!" Gas stations will become nothing more than low-budget tourist stops like ghost towns, or Fresno. Cars will become cleaner, smarter and some could even say, friendlier. Sure there is still the occasional bad emission, but even those are being worked on. The best greenhouse rating of any car in its class: Toyota Prius. Have a nice future."
Check out the clip!
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Controversial Advertising
- The backlash against the Toyota Prius ad demonstrates the need for advertisers to be mindful of their messaging and avoid alienating potential customers.
- Local Business Incentives
- By offering to build a plant in Fresno, Toyota shows how businesses can use incentives to mend relationships with the communities they serve.
- Eco-friendly Transportation
- The ad's focus on the Toyota Prius' environmental benefits highlights the growing demand for sustainable transportation options.
Where This Applies
- Automotive
- The auto industry can capitalize on increased demand for eco-friendly vehicles like the Toyota Prius.
- Advertising
- The controversy surrounding the Toyota Prius ad highlights the importance of creative messaging that resonates with consumers.
- Economic Development
- Businesses can learn from Toyota's offer to build a plant in Fresno as a way to invest in and strengthen local economies.
