The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]


The Power Of Dreams …
December 5, 2008, 10:16 am
Filed under: Comment

Logo Honda by juniofernandes

… is seemingly not as powerful as the nightmare of economy.

Given brand behaviour seems to reflect the state of the economy at any given time … does this finally prove marketing/advertising is treated with little value or consideration in the boardroom?


27 Comments so far
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As Honda participated in F1 one might argue that they got to live their dream, so then is there anything wrong in choosing to save an estimated 200 million pounds per year and reinvesting it in the pursuit of another of their corporate goals?

Sorry if I’m sounding too much like a client for you Robert.

Comment by Lee Hill

And you of all people should know there are many companies that place huge importance and value on the marketing dicipline.

Comment by Lee Hill

Your first comment is a masterclass in post rationalisation genius. Planners take note … πŸ™‚

Comment by Rob

I used to love working with Lee and having him throw comments like that back in my face. He makes my new boss look positively considerate. πŸ™‚

Comment by Bazza

Gah. As an F1 fan that comes as one hell of a surprise, especially given the cost cuts being brought into place in the series. Honda were one of those companies that felt like they belong in F1, especially after their stint powering Mclaren and Williams in the early 90s.

Apparently Honda is no longer the place of dreams, or at least now its only the dreams of shareholders that count.

Those lessons about cutting back on marketing in a downturn might also become relevant here.

Comment by Rob Mortimer

Some claimed the tactical innovation in motorsport helped develop practical benefits for the average 4 door car. Others claimed the association with the speed and glamour helped put a shine on otherwise drab and boring car marques. I think it was always about the ego and the girls. πŸ™‚

Comment by Bazza

Just checking Baz, but is your last sentence a criticism or an observation? Ha!

Comment by Rob

Both Bazzas first two points are true. There are countless innovations that were developed in F1. It gives incentive to come up with new ideas that otherwise may never see the light of day.

Comment by Rob Mortimer

Yeah … but be honest, it’s the girls that make the real difference or “Ready Steady Cook” would be equally as popular πŸ™‚

Comment by Rob

If that was the case they would have started Honda Music and Cheap Vodka Limited instead…

Comment by Rob Mortimer

I think that the power of dreams is never about infinity. In fact, Honda haven’t always been part of the F1 elite and their rise to acceptance and kick-arse-ness in the sport is as a result of dreams. It’s sad to see a company with finesse leave the sport, especially as they really are known for their innovation which propels discovery in all motoring (not just their marketing) – not to mention giving British Racing a glimmer of hope with JB way before Lewis “You Can’t Touch This” Hamilton came along. πŸ™‚

I think the lesson is that the power of dreams can leap you forward, but give you the strength and humility to pull back when you need to, knowing that it is all possible and there will be time to rise again in the future.

[cue: Ken Robinson clip again]

πŸ™‚

Comment by lauren

So Honda’s new strap line should be:

‘We Lived our Dream. Now We’re Cutting Back And Focussing More On Our Corporate Goals. None Of Which Include Women In Skimpy Outfits.’

Surely living the dream is EXACTLY about infinity ? It’s not about living your dream until you wake up and smell the coffee ?

Comment by Tom

look at you all talking like honda really give a fuck about dreams. theyre japanese so they dont do dreaming they only do perfecting which is why they resisted doing a diesel car till they could make it as they fucking wanted to. it wasnt about fucking dreams it was about jap culture.

and tom if you knew lee youd know he was being a sarcastic sod but i think he and you pretty much fucking nailed the reality of the situation because when the japanese are in recession they bang down the hatches till the storm passes.

here endeth the fucking lesson so get your reality heads back on and stop making wk look even better than they already fucking are πŸ™‚

Comment by andy@cynic

call me ” mr lonely planet yoda” from now on

Comment by andy@cynic

i don’t understand, don’t all companies batten down the hatches until the storm passes in a recession? isn’t that’s WHY it’s a recession? shows i know fuck all about economics.

Comment by lauren

their memory of recession is fresher than the rest of us fuckers so that changes their definition of batten down. how do i know all this? because campbell is boring the fucking pants off me with his sunshine recession research. to anyone contemplating meeting campbell soon. dont

Comment by andy@cynic

ooh – speaking of recession-ness… this has been found hanging around my ‘hood lately:

http://wellfedwellread.blogspot.com/2008/12/culture-jamming-smith-st.html

Comment by lauren

did campbell art direct it?

Comment by andy@cynic

you don’t art direct art, andy. so, no.

Comment by lauren

its not art its an ad for a fucking hairdresser.

fuck me first you fall for the power of dreams then this? whats happening in kangarooland lauren? wheres the swearing bitch i love?

Comment by andy@cynic

Warning Andy. Using the word bitch and love in the same sentence has previously cost you big money.

Comment by Rob Mortimer

the swearing bitch you love? you palmed her off to your ex-lackey, remember?

and it’s not a fucking ad for a hairdresser… it’s an empty fucking shop.

Comment by lauren

πŸ™‚

Comment by lauren

You don’t art direct art. I love that.

Comment by Tom

Nobody paid any attention to the power of dreams outside of adland. Did you ever here anyone say it? They just cut back a frivolous expense that, given their recent performance, wasn’t exactly promoting their ability to fulfil dreams. Here endeth the lesson. Now can we all get back to talking ourselves into a deflationary spiral.

Comment by John

dodds talks fucking sense even if he is saying what i said a few fucking comments earlier. lol

Comment by andy@cynic

You think I read your comments?

Comment by John




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