More random Versa musings...

[Ever Victorious]

So I drive over to the local Hollywood Video today, to search their selection of used DVDs to add to my collection.

Parking lot is completely empty when I pull up. I get the spot closest to the door.

walk inside, and the first thing the clerk says is "do you, by any chance, watch Heroes?"

"Yeah, why?"

"So is the Nissan Versa just a coincidence?"



Classic moment.

[Vahagn23]

lol is it?

[Ever Victorious]

Probably. I bought Versa #1 before Heroes came out. I bought Versa #2 just because I loved versa #1 so much. It was no coincidence that the two versas were the same color, but a slight coincidence that the Versa used in heroes was ALSO blue onyx.

[Vahagn23]

lol cool

[CodeRed]

Haha!

My friend and I were talking about that today. He is thinking about getting a Versa as well and he brought up the fact that thats what Hiro drove in season 1.

When I first saw the car at the dealership and knew I wanted it, I jumpped around yelling "NISSAN VERSA!"..... I got looked at like,

It was worth it. EV, do you watch Heroes?

On a side note, I got your Email. I was wondering if you have an AIM i could more easily contact you at?

[TrustME]

Probably. I bought Versa #1 before Heroes came out. I bought Versa #2 just because I loved versa #1 so much. It was no coincidence that the two versas were the same color, but a slight coincidence that the Versa used in heroes was ALSO blue onyx.

Haha!

My friend and I were talking about that today. He is thinking about getting a Versa as well and he brought up the fact that thats what Hiro drove in season 1.

When I first saw the car at the dealership and knew I wanted it, I jumpped around yelling "NISSAN VERSA!"..... I got looked at like,

It was worth it. EV, do you watch Heroes?

[TrustME]

Yes yes it's: ThaPrinceOfVa

LMAO! Sooo olllddd...

[Ever Victorious]

Of course I watch Heroes! And Hiro is the bomb.

[jfanaselle]

I have never watched Heroes. My co-worker was just telling me yesterday that this was the car they used in that show. I noticed that I wasn't seeing any commercials for Versas anymore... I wonder if Nissan is using this as more creative advertising? And actually, I have started to see new commercials for Nissan's 08 line-up and how fuel effecient the whole line up is, and they mention the Versa but never actually show one.

[TrustME]

I have never watched Heroes.

Why????

Haha, just kidding. Are you talking about the Tent Event Sale commerical?

[kc5f]

I wonder if Nissan is using this as more creative advertising?

I don't know that it's actually very creative, but they certainly pushed it. This year the Rogue has been mentioned and shown in every episode...

[jfanaselle]

I don't know that it's actually very creative, but they certainly pushed it. This year the Rogue has been mentioned and shown in every episode...

Of course it's creative. It allows them not only to run in a certain time slot and on a certain network like a traditional commercial, but it allows them to target a specific demographic (the kind of people who watch the show). More manufactures are starting to do this with their products. In many cases, it's less expensive than producing a commercial and buying airtime, and it's more effective.

As far as the commercials I've been seeing... they don't mention a tent event... they just say something to the extent of "Nissans are now more fuel effecient than ever" and they say "Our 08 line-up has 3 models with better than 30 mpg, including the Versa, which gets 36 hwy miles per gallon and starts at 15,500." But they never actually show a versa on the commercial.

[Rockhound]

Of course it's creative. It allows them not only to run in a certain time slot and on a certain network like a traditional commercial, but it allows them to target a specific demographic (the kind of people who watch the show).

This kind of 'product placement' is not a new advertising technique by any stretch of the imagination, so I'm not sure about the creativity here. Studebaker plugged their cars in Mr. Ed episodes in the 60's...and a bevy of recent and current shows do the exact same thing (X-Files - Ford, Desperate Housewives - Nissan, 24 - Ford).

[kc5f]

That's all I meant when I said it wasn't very creative. Everybody's been doing product placement for years, and usually less obviously than in Heroes. "Dad, you're giving me the Rogue?!" And the same with the Versa.

Not to say I don't like Heroes - it's about the only show I find time to watch. That's why I notice the placements!

[srellim234]

As far as the commercials I've been seeing... they don't mention a tent event... they just say something to the extent of "Nissans are now more fuel effecient than ever" and they say "Our 08 line-up has 3 models with better than 30 mpg, including the Versa, which gets 36 hwy miles per gallon and starts at 15,500." But they never actually show a versa on the commercial.

Ever Victorious and I had an exchange about that ad. Apparently Nissan is only running that misleading statement on an ad for us here in southern California. The disclaimer that the gas mileage is based on old EPA standards applied to 2007 models is probably in the fine print for 1 second at the bottom of the screen during that commercial.

At least I'm glad others can testify that they've seen it.

[Neo Xian Wu]

they also did the same type of advertisement last seaon on Smallville with the Toyota Yaris. i think it's pretty cool personally. and Heroes is awesome.

[Ever Victorious]

Ever Victorious and I had an exchange about that ad. Apparently Nissan is only running that misleading statement on an ad for us here in southern California. The disclaimer that the gas mileage is based on old EPA standards applied to 2007 models is probably in the fine print for 1 second at the bottom of the screen during that commercial.

At least I'm glad others can testify that they've seen it.

Oh, I've seen the base ad they use ("We have 3 cars with fuel economy of, including the versa at 36")... Slight difference in the regional texts, but since they use 2007 EPA mileage (and yes, it's disclaimed in small text), they can still use it for another 2 months.

I'll just laugh when 2008 rolls around and Toyota can't claim 60 MPG on the Prius anymore.

[irsa76]

Hmm, Nissan Australia for some reason used Kim Catral, or what ever her name is, from Sex in the city when the Tiida was released here. Funny thing was, it was either just as the series was winding down or it had just finished! Didn't work. The poor old Tiida still struggles to sell, mainly since the leading motoring magazine, Wheels refused to test it due to the seatbelts. Which meant no one else would test it either.

[BillyBeaneBall]

What about the seatbelts in the Tiida??? are they different than the ones we have in the States??? I'm curous, pleas elaborate...

I also watch Heroes but I'm also an incredibly anal when i make big purchases so when I had to buy a car in the spring I went about deciding what I could afford and then what vehicles were in that price range and below. Then I went and tested each one and stuff to narrow it down to the winner and it just happened to be the Versa because I thought it was the best value for the money. Heroes had nothing conciously to do with my decision but I was aware Hiro drove it on the show. It's the only show not named South Park I record on my DVR...it's soooooo good.

When I saw this season's season opener a few weeks ago and Bennet gave Claire the Rogue I rolled my eyes HARD. Now it's just getting silly...no Dad is giving thier daughter a 25,000+ car...even if she did save the world. He wants her to blend in and be nondiscript in a BRAND NEW MODEL CAR in high school? He shoulda bought her a beater, LOL

[irsa76]

The Tiida has a lap only belt in the middle of the back seat. Wheels magazine made it clear a few years ago that this was unacceptable on the grounds of safety. The Tiida isn't the only car to be affected by the ban on testing cars with lap belts.

[Rockhound]

When I saw this season's season opener a few weeks ago and Bennet gave Claire the Rogue I rolled my eyes HARD. Now it's just getting silly...no Dad is giving thier daughter a 25,000+ car...even if she did save the world. He wants her to blend in and be nondiscript in a BRAND NEW MODEL CAR in high school? He shoulda bought her a beater, LOL

This just in, Heroes is super cheesy.

Wheels magazine made it clear a few years ago that this was unacceptable on the grounds of safety. The Tiida isn't the only car to be affected by the ban on testing cars with lap belts.

Interesting.

[matt_a]

Product placement in TV shows and movies has gotten almost silly. Two movies that I absolutely love are guilty of it: The Italian Job (one big Mini Cooper commercial) and Transformers (one big GM commercial). It doesn't ruin the film for me, but it is kinda funny.