I thought the add was well done from a marketing standpoint It played well to a sense of national pride, and was well produced. Marketing is not known for it adherence to truthfulness or it's nuance. Honda, BMW and others are doing final assembly in the US so the sentiments in this add would apply equally to them, but Chrystler's add company had the idea, signed the star, and put it out.
I had had to suppress a snicker as they were telling me to "be proud, buy American" from an American/German/Italian company that probably uses parts and labor from all over the world, as do most modern companies.
I agree Hawkeye. And what these days is "all American"? I saw globalization wipe 2 of my careers off the map since the 80's, and both of those products still sport a "Made in America" label due to trade loopholes. Go figure.
I say it's cool to be famous enough to be asked to advertise for a super bowl ad. Not many can say that at all. ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
I was momentarily stunned when Dylan appeared in the Chrysler ad as rarely have I seen such a direct representation from him when he appears on TV. I thought the ad was fine. At least he was more dignified then Seinfeld or Gov Arnold and many of the other celebs in Super Bowl ads..
His music was prominently featured in a yogurt ad prior to the car ad and that struck me as truly "jester like." Yes, I admit, the thought of sell out passed thru my mind, but he really is not. Why did he do it? Probably, because he was asked.
Interesting to note , Chrysler is an Italian company, leave it to them to feature Dylan.
Bob is in constant change , redefining himself and presenting himself in different ways. His last tour give me impression that he is casting himself these days as a venerable Blues Man, like Muddy Waters, as the bulk of his set is blues songs from the more recent albums, rather than the hits from the past. Those who hang onto opinion that he sold out when he went electric or Christian or whatever other phase he has gone through do not get it. Bob Dylan is not prone to being pigeon holed or codified, so don't try.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Feb 03, 2014 6:07 AM
I think going through his musical changes, while he did make money on that too, is pretty different than getting paid a bunch of money for making a car commercial. I like his music, and pay for recordings and shows. It did not strike me as him trying to make an artistic statement. Or maybe it was his version of a Warhol soup can? Who knows? But it is clear he sold his name and reputation earned as a musician to a company that thought it would help them sell cars. It is not wrong, per se..
Thats the great thing about BD, you can say "who knows" and "its clear" in the same thought about him and still not get it.. I don't think money had anything remotely to do with his decision to lend his music or appear in the ad. Here's what I want to know, did Dylan pen the lines:
" Let Germany brew your beer/let Switzerland build your watch/Let Asia assemble your phone/WE will build your car."
C'mon, him reciting that didn't send chills up your spine? For maybe many it didn't, as they were transfixed on BD "selling out." Sorry, you missed the joker man , again….
This isn't the first time any of the Detroit *cough* Three have gotten a major musical artist to do a commercial for them. I remember way back in the day, Alan Jackson did his cover of Mercury Blues, and Ford latched onto him to do it for Ford trucks instead. It really isn't anything new per se. But Dylan would've been about the last guy I'd expect to sign for something like this. Especially considering he's reportedly been of ailing health of late. He looked to be in good form. A couple years ago, they had Eminem in the SB commercial for Chrysler since he's a Detroit native, and that thoroughly surprised me because he'd previously been vehemently against doing commercials. I thought the one with Dylan was far more thought out, and well presented. I wasn't really commenting on the marketing aspect of it. Just that the commercial was well made, and it was good to see Dylan saying something good about America (even if it really only applies to America of yesterday.) ----------
I remember the Pepsi commercial you're referring to. The "Forever Young" one right? To my recollection, that one was only done with archive footage of Bob and remixed recordings of him singing and playing. Not really the same thing if you ask me.
And can any guitar savvies here confirm something for me? The guitar Bob's toting in the Chrysler commerical is a Gibson LG-2 is it not?
Not even Bob Dylan could make me buy a Dodge. But seriously, I'm completely sick of the second and third rate crap products that we're being fed from China the last 10 years. I realize it's a global marketplace, with globally split companies, but given the option, I'll buy the equal product with the "Made in the USA" sticker. But then, I also refuse to go through automated check-outs at stores, just for the simple reason that those machines are taking someone's job. Might not be a great job, but it's a job.
I know the game goes much farther back than this but who remembers Carly Simon selling ketchup with her hit song "Anticipation"? That was when I realized anything was for sale.
I doubt Mr. Dylan has multimillion dollar estates. I think he mostly dumps what he makes into fueling his tours and recording ventures. Not that he needs to make a living, he has royalties stretching over what, 60 years? He does not live to sell stuff, more like he sells stuff to keep his machine oiled. Wish I had a machine...... ---------- http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
