Promotional Vehicles

It is difficult to miss a Hummer, but how many companies could afford to run one to promote their business? The answer is, of course, very few and it is doubtful whether GM's overgrown offspring would be the most suitable promotional vehicle for many of them. What then are the alternatives and how could businesses benefit from using a vehicle as an advertising medium?

What is a promotional vehicle?

A promotional vehicle is a car, truck or SUV with purpose-designed adhesive vinyl graphics applied to its exterior, promoting a business or one of its products or services.

The graphics may be a full wrap (the whole vehicle is covered), a decal wrap (decals are applied to body panels) or a window wrap (decals are applied to the side and rear windows).

The types of business that operate promotional vehicles include radio stations, beer companies, car dealers and up-market pubs, clubs and restaurants to name but a few.

The benefits of a promotional vehicle

A vehicle is mobile so you can take your advertising places. Both drivers and pedestrians will notice your advertising when your vehicle is parked as well as when it is on the move.

Your advertising stays in position until you remove it or sell the vehicle. There is no need to book media space or pay regular subscriptions.

The cost is not as much as you might expect. In fact, vehicle graphics cost less to create and apply than many other types of advertising. If you apply graphics to an existing vehicle then there are no additional costs.

You can potentially make a big impression. Cleverly designed and eye-catching vehicle graphics can be used for PR purposes.

Is a promotional vehicle for me?

It depends on your business, as promotional vehicles are not suitable for every company.

Brand image is a key deciding factor. You need to consider how the vehicle will be used (will it be on the move much of the time or parked), what will it be used for and who will drive it and how will it be driven. Do not forget that the vehicle will influence people's perceptions of your company and your product/service.

Budgetary considerations will play a part too, more so if you are purchasing a new vehicle specifically for use as a promotional vehicle.

Which are the best promotional vehicles?

For sheer size and physical presence, nothing beats the Hummer, H2 and other large SUV's.

At the opposite end of the scale is the 2.5-metre long Mercedes Smart car - one of the most popular promotional vehicles in Europe. This goes on sale in Canada in the fall of 2004 and is sure to have great novelty value and attract a lot of attention.

In between these extremes, you have vehicles such as the PT Cruiser and the forthcoming Chevrolet SSR. Molson promoted their A Marca Bavaria beer at last year's Vancouver Indy using a Honda Element. Other possibilities include the VW Beetle or an unusual, classic or sports car.

The MINI might seem an obvious choice but bear in mind that the model already includes a range of graphic treatments in its option list and this may reduce its usefulness as a promotional vehicle because your advertising will stand out less.

Whatever vehicle you choose it should attract attention in its own right and the less common it is the better.

If you are buying a new vehicle, your choice will be determined by your promotional requirements and your budget. A cheaper solution is to use an existing company vehicle. However, consider the impression you want to make on your target audience and avoid the temptation to apply a wrap to your rusting, dented 1992 Safari.

What about the vehicle graphics?

The first step is to commission a design for your vehicle. Your design is printed in full colour on weather-resistant high-quality adhesive vinyl. This is then applied to the vehicle.

A complete vehicle wrap will take 8 hours or more; a decal or window wrap will take less time. The vinyl is durable and washable. It can be removed when the time comes to update the design (for example if you change your logo) or when you sell the vehicle.

So, if you are looking for an alternative way to promote your business and you want to take your message onto the street or to events then you should consider a promotional vehicle.It may not be suitable for every company but if it is right for you then it is a great way to get people to notice and talk about your business.

Copyright © 2004, Christopher Smith, Mano Design

About The Author

Chris Smith is a partner in Mano Design ( http://www.mano-design.com ) - a Vancouver Design and Marketing agency.

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:51:53 GMT Austin stocks rally with rest of Wall St. - Bizjournals.com Boston Globe Austin stocks rally with rest of Wall St. Bizjournals.com - 31 minutes ago Austin stocks were posting mostly positive results on Monday as the Dow Jones industrial index climbed more than 500 points. By midday nearly all Austin area public companies’ stocks were in positive territory aided by a general market rally as the US ... Monday markets make rebound Live 5 News Wall Street's Wild Week: Investors Live With It ABC News USA Today - Los Angeles Times - KSBY - New York Times all 4,397 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:20:43 GMT 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Still Top Dog At Box Office - MTV.com BBC News 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Still Top Dog At Box Office MTV.com - 4 hours ago By Shawn Adler Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" won the weekend box office for the second-straight week. It made $17.5 million. How did DiCaprio and Crowe get chomped by 'Chihuahua'? Chicago Tribune `Chihuahua' fetches $17.5M to win another weekend The Associated Press New York Times - Los Angeles Times - Entertainment Weekly - FlickDirect all 781 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:18:47 GMT Zimbabwe’s Power-Sharing Deal Is in Jeopardy - New York Times BBC News Zimbabwe’s Power-Sharing Deal Is in Jeopardy New York Times - 1 hour ago By CELIA W. DUGGER JOHANNESBURG - The European Union condemned President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe on Monday for going ahead with the formation of a new government without the agreement of the opposition. Mugabe swears in vice-presidents as Zimbabwe power-sharing deal ... guardian.co.uk Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Threatens to Quit Power-Share Deal Voice of America AFP - AllAfrica.com - Bloomberg - Telegraph.co.uk all 2,647 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:24:27 GMT Manatee dies before reaching rehab site - Boston Globe eFluxMedia Manatee dies before reaching rehab site Boston Globe - 10 hours ago By Emily Canal After a 27-hour trip to Florida, Dennis the manatee, rescued from the frigid waters of Cape Cod, died in Orlando yesterday as SeaWorld employees carted the mammal to a rehabilitation center. Video: Rescued Manatee Dies After Mass. Rescue AssociatedPress Dennis the Manatee Dies before Getting to Florida Sea World eFluxMedia ChattahBox - New York Daily News - Bostonist - Times of the Internet all 595 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:21:21 GMT NLCS Preview from The Sports Network - Sports Network CBC.ca NLCS Preview from The Sports Network Sports Network - 1 hour ago (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers will try to even the National League Championship Series at two games apiece this evening, when they play Game 4 of the best-of-seven set against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. Video: Benches Clear in Game 3 of NLCS AssociatedPress LA revitalized at Moyer's expense MLB.com FOXSports.com - New York Times - USA Today - Los Angeles Times all 2,561 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:57:52 GMT Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations - Reuters ABC News Pediatricians double vitamin D recommendations Reuters - 1 hour ago CHICAGO (Reuters) - The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled its recommendation for a daily dose of vitamin D in children in the hopes of preventing rickets and reaping other health benefits, the group said on Monday. Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines for Youngsters Doubled U.S. News & World Report Vitamin D: New Guidelines for Children WebMD ABC News - New York Times - Boston Globe - New York Daily News all 498 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:36:45 GMT National Digest - Annapolis Capital CBC.ca National Digest Annapolis Capital - 35 minutes ago LOS ANGELES - Intense Santa Ana winds swept into Southern California this morning and whipped up a 3000-acre wildfire, forcing the closure of a major freeway during rush hour and burning mobile homes and industrial buildings. Firefighters battle blaze north of Los Angeles AFP Valley Firefighters Help Crews Battle Massive Blaze in Southern ... KMPH Fox 26 Monsters and Critics.com - KSWT-TV - Bradenton Herald all 2,207 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:15:58 GMT RSS Software Web Site Traffic

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Advertising 101

Advertising has truly become a part of all of our... Read More

Super Secret Tip For Using PPC Search Engine Advertising Successfully

It's not about traffic; it's about generating leads. That's right.... Read More

LED Moving Message Displays

LED's are becoming more and more popular in all kinds... Read More

Three Keys to Crafting Successful Print Ads

Want to create print ads that get results? Below are... Read More

What Makes A Winning Online Ad?

Most people who have been involved with sales & marketing... Read More

Moving Message Display

Moving message display are designed to be installed into environments... Read More

Why Your Ad Failed

So you spent good money on an ad, put it... Read More

Choosing a Print Mail Dealer

"Print & Mail is a type of service that... Read More

How To Write More Powerful Brochures, Leaflets, And Catalogues

Probably the most interesting thing about brochures and leaflets is... Read More

Business Plan Appeal ? Five Rules For Writing Attention Grabbing Headlines

The success of a business plan stands or falls on... Read More

Promotional Vehicles

It is difficult to miss a Hummer, but how many... Read More

Forgot The Ad Budget? Dont Panic!

Bob is excited about his new business. He secured funding.... Read More

Placemat Ad Advertising

Starting a placemat ad business can create more business for... Read More

Advertising Inserts

One of the best and easiest ways to advertise without... Read More

Marketing Tips For Small Business ? Advertising That Works, Part I

Have you ever seen an ad on television that was... Read More

How to Make a Fortune from Unique Resistance-free Advertising

One of the most powerful offers you can use in... Read More

Wheres Me Pot of Gold and Lucky Charms?

We already know this from our history books. If you... Read More

Write Attention Getting Advertisements

The most important aspect of any business is selling the... Read More

Advertising That Annoys: The Real Story

Critics conclude that entertaining or "creative" commercials sell better than... Read More

Cable Ads 5 Bucks!

Cable has grown from 13 houses connected together in 1948... Read More

Commercial: Consumer - Discounts - Misleading Advertising

Marketing is an important tool for attracting customers. It is... Read More

A Lunchtime Lesson on Print Advertising

I promise you'll be able to finish this article before... Read More

For All Those People Who Struggle With Benefits and Features

For Everyone Who Has Ever Struggled Sorting Out Benefits From... Read More

The Art Of Fear Free Advertising

Is fear of failure an issue when you commit valuable... Read More

The SKINNY on Newspaper Advertising

The SKINNY on NewspapersUsing the paper is considered gospel by... Read More