TG Aus: Proudly brought to you by ... Volkswagen!?

tone76

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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24351382-7582,00.html

I'd like to think that VW purchasing advertising time during TGA isn't going to alter the outcome of the show. That said, if the TGA/SBS/VW relationship works OK, then this might add weight to the claims that NBC are making about TG USA remaining impartial and not giving in to pressure from sponsors ... which can only be a good thing.
 
I wouldn't read too much into this. VW doing this is pure marketing. And clever marketing at that. Top Gear is a program about cars. And chances are, the Aussie version will attract high ratings as well. VW just wanted to expose their product to their target market, much like they'd do with advertising in other time slots. It makes sense to use Top Gears established reputation to their advantage and advertise on the Aussie branded program.

I doubt VW actually signed up as a major sponsor in a bid to buy themselves good reviews on the program. IF they did, I think they'll feel rather shortchanged. This is suppose to be Top Gear and what's made it what it is today has been the presenters no holds barred approach to reviewing cars. And I'd like to think that'll continue in the Aussie branded version.
 
Well, at least the commercial director said VW has no editorial control.

I don't think SBS would be stupid enough to ruin the show by overstating sponsor's and keeping them happy.
 
*resists urge to bring up The Car Show*

:ph34r:

But lets not go there...we've ridiculously over-discussed that in the past.
 
*resists urge to bring up The Car Show*

:ph34r:

But lets not go there...we've ridiculously over-discussed that in the past.

Yeah, get insurance from Shannon's, buy a car from someone and use this oil!!!
 
*resists urge to bring up The Car Show*

:ph34r:

But lets not go there...we've ridiculously over-discussed that in the past.

We could always bring up 'Drive' instead ... :p

Seriously though ... it's interesting, but like I said in my initial post, I don't think it will change TGA for the worse. Now, if it was Ford or Holden buying ad time during TGA, you'd get fanboys from whichever company DIDN'T buy ad time during TGA finding 'bias' in almost everything about the show ... so SBS was smart to sell ad time to a car manufacturer rather than an automotive religion. ;)
 
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The thing is VW generally get pretty good reviews on the UK version of Top Gear, like every hot hatch review ending with the Golf GTI on top, if the same thing happens here people will panic and think that they are pandering to sponsors, so they might end up being biased against VW to avoid the appearance that the sponsorship is having an impact (or just mock the whole bias fear by sarcastically praising the first VW they review).

Having ads doesn't seem to affect Fifth Gear's reviews, I couldn't guess from watching it who sponsors the show, and SBS have a much lower level of commercialism than Five. I'm not worried in the slightest that it will make any difference and I think VW know what they are getting into with Top Gear.
 
Well, at least the commercial director said VW has no editorial control.

I don't think SBS would be stupid enough to ruin the show by overstating sponsor's and keeping them happy.

Bingo - I don't think we have anything to fear.
 
I'd like to believe that this will not affect the show's impartiality but if you watch the trailer, there are about half a dozen VW logos in the shot of the Ford GT speeding off into the distance. The deal is already affecting how the show is shot.
 
I'd like to believe that this will not affect the show's impartiality but if you watch the trailer, there are about half a dozen VW logos in the shot of the Ford GT speeding off into the distance. The deal is already affecting how the show is shot.
That was quite obviously edited in.
 
Well we'll see when that episode airs, won't we.

The problem is that reviews of Volkswagens, Audis, Lamgorghinis and Bentleys are now tainted. Even if they give a glowing review of a really good car, nobody will trust it. Absolutely no automotive manufacturers should be allowed to sponsor the show, it flies in the face of journalistic integrity.
 
The thing is VW generally get pretty good reviews on the UK version of Top Gear, like every hot hatch review ending with the Golf GTI on top, if the same thing happens here people will panic and think that they are pandering to sponsors, so they might end up being biased against VW to avoid the appearance that the sponsorship is having an impact (or just mock the whole bias fear by sarcastically praising the first VW they review).

Having ads doesn't seem to affect Fifth Gear's reviews, I couldn't guess from watching it who sponsors the show, and SBS have a much lower level of commercialism than Five. I'm not worried in the slightest that it will make any difference and I think VW know what they are getting into with Top Gear.

It's irrelevent if they get "pretty good reviews" any review they do of a competing car will be tainted imo. We'll see in 2 weeks I guess.
 
Catch-22 for SBS though - it's a show that will attract motoring sponsors, so I guess a manufacturer would of course be an ideal candidate. At least it's VW (who make some interesting vehicles) and not Kia or Proton ...

But will be interesting to see how it goes.
 
Catch-22 for SBS though - it's a show that will attract motoring sponsors, so I guess a manufacturer would of course be an ideal candidate.

If this becomes as popular as the original, it will have one in twenty Australians watching it. You don't have trouble finding sponsors for shows with that sort of market share. They don't need automotive sponsorships, companies will line up to advertise during TGA.
 
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