Omni Automotive Advertising Blog

Ford Motor Co. has hired former Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz designer Joel Piaskowski to head all exterior design for Ford in the Americas.

The assignment includes all Ford brand and Lincoln models, Ford Motor spokesman Alan Hall said today.

The position has been open since Moray Callum was promoted to become executive director of design for Ford in May 2009, Hall said.

Piaskowski, 41, left Mercedes-Benz in March after becoming the head of the automaker’s advanced design center in California in January 2009. Prior to joining Mercedes-Benz, Piaskowski headed the design team for Hyundai Motor America, where he was known for the design of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Genesis sedan. The Genesis sedan was named 2009 North American Car of the Year.

A 1990 graduate of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Piaskowski began his career at General Motors, where he worked for 13 years on interior and exterior designs for Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick and Opel.

Piaskowski will begin his position at Ford on Oct. 1.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20100920%2FOEM%2F10…

Social Media is the big buzz today. Lots of businesses are using services like FaceBook and Twitter to boost their customer base. But using social media does have some limitations. Here is an interesting article we found that you should read.

Despite the numerous benefits that social media can bring to a business or individual, there are many misconceptions about what it can and can’t accomplish. Far too often, unrealistic expectations lead to disappointment. Knowing what social media can’t do will make it easier to harness the power of what it can accomplish.

5 THINGS SOCIAL MEDIA CAN’T DO

Replace A Marketing Strategy

Social media is powerful, but it isn’t a stand-alone substitute for a marketing strategy. Effective marketing strategies can and should incorporate social media elements. However, simply launching a StumbleUpon account or Facebook Page isn’t going to cut it. (more…)

There are many ways for a business to use social media correctly, and only a few ways to do it wrong. So why do so many businesses keep falling into the same traps? The answer is easy: human nature. As we all know, humans are constantly beset by all kinds of temptations. That’s what makes us human. Here, then, is a list of the Seven Deadly Sins of Social Media that David Griner from Social Path put together:

1. Lust
Loving your customers is great, but take it easy. In the early days of social media – around 2006 – a business would sign up on MySpace and start “friending” everyone with a pulse. These days, lusting after fans like that will get you labeled as desperate – or even as a spammer. So take it slow and get to know the people who connect with your brand. In return, they might end up as customers for life.

2. Gluttony
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Once a business decides to take a seat at the social media table, they often dig in with gusto. The downside: They want to be everywhere at once, spreading themselves across every social media network instead of being strategic and focused. You don’t need accounts on all of the social media sites – just the right ones.

3. Greed
It’s hard to shake hands when you are reaching for someone’s wallet. We all want to make money through social media, and if you have a good business, it will happen. But if all you do is spout off sales messages on your Twitter feed or Facebook page, no one is going to stick around. Be yourself. Be helpful. Be a good listener. Then the money will come to you.

4. Sloth
Always avoid the temptation to “set it and forget it.” Starting a blog or creating a presence on a social network is easy. Keeping it alive takes hard work, adaptability and commitment. You would never open a store and then close it two weeks later because of a low turnout. Go for the long term and plan accordingly.

5. Wrath
There are a lot of people out there itching for a punch in the nose, but you’re not the one to give it to them. Once you are active online, you are bound to get a few critics. Some offer valuable feedback. Some shout obscenities. Focus on the ones who deserve a response. And no matter what, never lash out. Many businesses get into a social media shouting match and guess what? In social media, the business never wins.

6. Envy
Don’t be dissuaded by other people who are doing it better than you. Someone will always have more followers, more blog comments, and more write-ups in Mashable. Focus on who you are and what your business has to offer – and not on what the other guy is doing. And when you have to steal an idea (hey, these things happen), find a way to make it better so no one will even recognize the original.

7. Pride
Stay humble, rock star. Successful social media marketing is easier than you think. If you plan ahead, pace yourself and listen more than you talk, you will strike a chord with existing customers and potential fans alike. It will open new opportunities and build your brand in ways you never imagined. But don’t let it go to your head. There is always more work to do.

Originally posted at www.thesocialpath.com

Omni Advertising has just released their new demo reel.

Much attention is being paid to the recent admission by Toyota over the recalls. If you haven’t seen the commercial yet, here it is.