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Lets talk media - READ ONLY

60 messages,  Last post on Sep 16, 2007 at 11:59 AM

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What is this discussion about? Automotive News

Messages Page 2 of 6

#11 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [bumpy] by gagrice

May 19, 2007 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: bumpy (May 19, 2007 2:18 pm)
Would you write a bad review even if the car was great? It would be hard to maintain credibility if you accept these gifts. I feel the same way about CR. They accept gifts, donations etc from automakers. I find it difficult to bite the hand that feeds me.

#12 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [gagrice] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 19, 2007 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 19, 2007 3:47 pm)
media can be biased but I don't think the media has the power to make a really bad car GOOD or make a really good car BAD.
 
So ultimately, once a car hits the road and is in service for a while, the truth comes out regardless of what the media says about it.
 
The media cannot destroy or make a car's reputation, but it can give it a good push or trip it up in the beginning.
 
Blaming the media for a car's poor performance or its exceptionally good performance is just grasping at straws IMO.
 
MrShiftright
Visiting Host

#13 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [Mr_Shiftright] by elroy5

May 19, 2007 (6:30 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 19, 2007 5:26 pm)
I think a large part of sales is repeat buyers. If your car is everything you expect it to be, the media is not going to convince you it's junk, and keep you from buying another one. If you consider your car a piece of junk, the media isn't going to convince you it's great, and get you to buy another one. The media can't erase your memory.

#14 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [elroy5] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 19, 2007 (7:09 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (May 19, 2007 6:30 pm)
Bingo elroy! Good point. "Brand equity" is the engine here, not anyone's alleged "bias". A brand that is "all tout and no clout" won't fool the American consumer for very long. Think Saturn.
 
We can also think of any number of American cars that the media loved but that failed anyway (Dodge Neon comes to mind, right?). As well as cars they loved that DID succeed (PT Cruiser) as well as cars the hated and that failed (SSR?).
 
I can't think of one they hated and that DID succeed in spite of very bad press, however....anyone?

#15 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [gagrice] by bumpy

May 19, 2007 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 19, 2007 3:47 pm)
Yep. No car is perfect, so I could easily fill up a review talking about things I didn't like then throw in a little three-liner about what I did like for balance. I have no problem with biting a hand that shoudn't be feeding me.

#16 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [gagrice] by smittynyc

May 19, 2007 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (May 19, 2007 3:47 pm)
"I feel the same way about CR. They accept gifts, donations etc from automakers."
 
You could not be more wrong about this.
 
Our National Testing and Research Center, in Yonkers, N.Y., is the largest nonprofit educational and consumer product testing center in the world. We buy all the products we use as test samples. We receive no special treatment. We accept no free samples. If a manufacturer sends us a free product, we return it.
 
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/aboutus/mission/overview/index.htm
 
If you have credible evidence that suggests CR doesn't adhere to this policy, by all means, let's see it.
 
I like this thread in theory, as long as all the conspiracy buffs back up their accusations with something substantial.

#17 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [smittynyc] by gagrice

May 20, 2007 (6:06 am)

Replying to: smittynyc (May 19, 2007 9:41 pm)
They are supported by gifts and grants. From whom do they get these gifts and grants? If you have that information feel free to post it. I cannot find it in their annual reports.
 
CU supports itself through the sale of our information products and services, individual contributions, and a few noncommercial grants.

#18 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [gagrice] by steve_ HOST

May 20, 2007 (7:57 am)

Replying to: gagrice (May 20, 2007 6:06 am)
CR got a grant (actually their parent, Consumers Union) from the Ford Foundation to write a guide to environmental labels. (link)
 
That's Ford as in Henry, Edsel, Bill, et.al. Guess CR loves Ford cars eh?
 
You can glean some other info from a non-profit's IRS Form 990 (pdf link and it may not resolve). For example, Consumers Union paid ~3 million last year for search engine optimization services.

#19 of 60 Re: Lets talk media [elroy5] by scape2

May 24, 2007 (12:09 am)

Replying to: elroy5 (May 19, 2007 6:30 pm)
I disagree. If you are told over and over by the media car A is the winner year after year. There are those Consumers that are going to tend to believe this and not even shop other brands to even compare. Media plays a huge role in how a manufacturer is perceived. If you are told over and over the world is flat by the media for years on end.. some are going to believe it...

#20 of 60 scape2... by iluvmysephia1

May 24, 2007 (10:32 am)

I agree with your above statement. Thing is not all readers can perceive fluff from wheat so they do take information as verbatim and it can hurt some automakers attain some sales. Totally agree wid-at, man.

Messages Page 2 of 6

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