With flood waters in Thailand still afflicting its global supply chain, what Honda could use right now is some distractions. How about its own sense of humor — and some exciting future products?

OK. Honda and its Acura luxury brand are certainly coming through with the former, launching seasonal advertising campaigns to promote their holiday-incentive programs. Happy Honda Days here back again, delivering fine shots of irreverence just as Americans might be ready for such a 'tude, bracing for the holiday commercial avalanche.

For instance, "Elves are shoddy craftsmen," intones the Honda brand's dry-humored new spokesman, actor Patrick Warburton, in one new spot, clad in a festive red cardigan. By contrast, he says, Honda vehicles are made by "real human beings, with a dedication to quality."

And just to make sure the Yuletide-flouting point isn't lost, he adds: "You don't build the most durable, longest-lasting line of cars in their class with weak little elf hands."Continue reading...

Honda has hired actor Jason Bateman as the new "narrator" of Honda advertising. His debut: the new Accord commercial (“Through It All-5 Star”) that debuted during Sunday's Patriots/Chargers NFL game. He can next be heard in a spot for the redesigned Pilot.

“For Honda, the tone of our advertising needs to be simple, smart and fun. Just like our vehicles,” said Mike Accavitti, VP, automotive marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Bateman is well received for his real, down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is honesty that lines up perfectly with Honda’s leadership as the smarter choice.”Continue reading...

Now that Honda finally has begun to overcome its acute supply shortages — worst in the industry — from the aftermath of the Japanese earthquake, it's time for the brand to try to start selling vehicles again. And in a US auto market that increasingly will become squeezed between softening sales and rising inventories of small vehicles across the board, it's probably a smart idea that as Honda "returns" to the market, it returns to its roots.

In its just-launched, comprehensive new marketing campaign, Honda lays out the "Good Reasons" to buy a new Honda, highlighting the company's long tradition of earning top industry accolades and recognition for safety, reliability, exceptional resale value and other attributes. Honda's schtick has always been that it is a straightforward brand with sensible vehicles, not flashy ones, for practical people. It built its chops over the years for those advantages, as well as its fuel economy and quality levels, rather than for styling sizzle.

The TV, print and online campaign features a self-assured Patrick Warburton (of Family Guy and Seinfeld fame) espousing the "truth" about car buying and advertising in over-the-top discussions ranging from legal disclaimers to whether sex can help sell cars.Continue reading...

...for the first time in a decade. It's all in support of the candy brand's pretzel flavor.