Why does Ford Motor Corp. have to suck up to American Idol winners to sell cars?

Question

Being a business major, I understand the importance of a solid marketing department. But using Taylor Hicks to hock Ford cars and trucks? Come on!

Ford INVENTED the automobile. The company should have Taylor Hicks crawling on his hands and knees to it! This is a sad testament to how crappy American cars are perceived. If Ford needs gimimcs like this to move its inventory off the lots, it's in pretty bad shape. That gray-haired dolt from Alabama (or wherever) is not going to save the company.

Build better cars, you schmucks!

Answer 1

Cuz ford sucks.

Answer 2

They're not sucking up to the winneres. They're sucking up to the viewers. When Michael Jordan played ball, everyone wanted to "BE LIKE MIKE". They bought his shoes, his clothing line and the die-hards bought his cologne. Nowadays American Idol gives young America the dream of becoming the next big thing. FORD wants be categorized with the next big thing, hoping that they will subliminally tell the viewers to buy their product.
You basically answered your own question though!!

Bottom line: Build better cars & market your product better.

Answer 3

They also used every other American Idol winner since the show's inception.
It is called marketing, and they have- I would guess- sold more cars doing that than almost every promotion they ahve ever done.

Answer 4

Why dont you go get a job at Ford and make them cars better.