New "secret" Black Box ad campaign
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
From: Metro Washington D. C.
Originally Posted by Smokey
Hmmm, maybe you waited longer then 5 seconds 
Well, you do have to hold the edges down and kind of move your head back and forth and up and down.
I've also had great luck by lifting one leg and rubbing my stomach, not with the ad mind you, but great luck still
Well, you do have to hold the edges down and kind of move your head back and forth and up and down.
I've also had great luck by lifting one leg and rubbing my stomach, not with the ad mind you, but great luck still
No black box her - - I'm waiting.
John
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,646
Likes: 1
From: Queens, NY
is it just me, or is this campaign not very in the MINI spirit ... considering that it kind of gives the big middle finger to non-MINI owners ...
if the campaign was run exclusively on the Owner' Lounge it would have been cool ... as it would "force" us all to gather there.
but this gimmicky thing by going to magazines and leaving non-MINI owners scratching their heads ... well ... makes me miss the old ad agency. :(
Did anyone actually decipher anything yet using the black box contents and a magazine ad?
if the campaign was run exclusively on the Owner' Lounge it would have been cool ... as it would "force" us all to gather there.
but this gimmicky thing by going to magazines and leaving non-MINI owners scratching their heads ... well ... makes me miss the old ad agency. :(
Did anyone actually decipher anything yet using the black box contents and a magazine ad?
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
I got mine. And decoded it..I found that if you kida slide the decoder around it makes it MUCH easier to read. I guess everyone will have to use it as they see fit 
kinda cool..any ideas what the red glasses and the other thing are for yet ??
~R
kinda cool..any ideas what the red glasses and the other thing are for yet ??
~R
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 2
Problem is that registration for the event is ALREADY CLOSED. And there's still magazines in which the ads will run are still being released! 
I guess I can just show up at the beginning of one of the legs and drive along, but... What a drag- I was so excited yesterday when I finally "decoded" the message.
I guess I can just show up at the beginning of one of the legs and drive along, but... What a drag- I was so excited yesterday when I finally "decoded" the message.
Neutral
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
It's totally cool. Just go buy a magazine (I picked up Blender at 7-11), put the decoder on the ad - it reads clear as crystal - go to the designated website - put in your Vin# and you're done. The point of the book and the ads is to make Mini owners feel like they're in a special club (which we are) and maybe sway non-Mini owners to think about joining in on the fun! I think it's brilliant. Good luck to those who haven't discovered it yet!
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
Have you missed all the other MINI Takes The States promotions that have been around online for the last couple of months? Wow!
http://www.gpmini.net/mtblog/archive...siasts_o.shtml
The MTTS consists of drives from city to city - you can join in those - and organized events at many cities - those you cannot attend without registration.
http://www.gpmini.net/mtblog/archive...siasts_o.shtml
The MTTS consists of drives from city to city - you can join in those - and organized events at many cities - those you cannot attend without registration.
Originally Posted by GBMINI
That guy is selling HEAPS of MINI stuff at the moment - I assume he's recently sold his MINI and just got lucky with receiving the package
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
Originally Posted by Ords
Black box came today! funny thing though, it was mailed to the wife instead of me and she's not even listed on the paperwork of the vehicle!
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 10
I tried to post my thoughts on the 'MINI Owners Only' aspect of this campaign on Motoringfile the other day, but it doesn't accept my posts any more... :(
- Given the assumption that one of the best advertising vehicles of all time is word of mouth and referrals
- Given that MINI owners tend to adore their cars
These 2 givens would seem to indicate that, if MINI USA could get non-MINI drivers talking to MINI drivers about their funny little cars, that a whole new consumer base, the 'MINI-fringe' (people who know MINI owners), would open up as the MINI owning public spreads the knowledge and love for all things MINI.
You could print an ad that says "If you want to know more, call your local sales person (MA)...", but everyone knows that you can talk to the dealership and get a positive, glowing report on the car. The real truth would come from talking to your neighbor, coworker, friend about their MINI and that their referral would be the best advertising available (assuming the 2 givens above).
I believe that this advertising gives the 'MINI-fringe' consumer a poke with a sharp stick that says "Hey... Here's a puzzle that only your MINI-owning friend can help you solve... why not ask him or her about it and see what's up with this strange advert?" This gets the 'fringe' talking to the owner about the car, which is great for sales (again, assuming the 2 givens).
It's very similar to viral marketing, but in this case, instead of spreading the virus by distributing it (ex: sending an email link), the target (the MINI fringe consumer) is provoked into asking about the product from the strongest carrier... not the dealership or a marketing exec, but a rabid, MINI-loving owner, who will do a better job selling the car than anyone who might be paid to do it.
- Given the assumption that one of the best advertising vehicles of all time is word of mouth and referrals
- Given that MINI owners tend to adore their cars
These 2 givens would seem to indicate that, if MINI USA could get non-MINI drivers talking to MINI drivers about their funny little cars, that a whole new consumer base, the 'MINI-fringe' (people who know MINI owners), would open up as the MINI owning public spreads the knowledge and love for all things MINI.
You could print an ad that says "If you want to know more, call your local sales person (MA)...", but everyone knows that you can talk to the dealership and get a positive, glowing report on the car. The real truth would come from talking to your neighbor, coworker, friend about their MINI and that their referral would be the best advertising available (assuming the 2 givens above).
I believe that this advertising gives the 'MINI-fringe' consumer a poke with a sharp stick that says "Hey... Here's a puzzle that only your MINI-owning friend can help you solve... why not ask him or her about it and see what's up with this strange advert?" This gets the 'fringe' talking to the owner about the car, which is great for sales (again, assuming the 2 givens).
It's very similar to viral marketing, but in this case, instead of spreading the virus by distributing it (ex: sending an email link), the target (the MINI fringe consumer) is provoked into asking about the product from the strongest carrier... not the dealership or a marketing exec, but a rabid, MINI-loving owner, who will do a better job selling the car than anyone who might be paid to do it.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,692
Likes: 2
Actually, I DID miss all the Mini Takes the States stuff over the last few months - I seldom browse Mini's site, as I find the mix of Flash and pop-ups they use really hideous. Plus, I just bought my car in June. Color me ig'nant, sorry.
Either way, it's a smidge disssapointing that they did this huge campaign and easter egg hunt, with a prize that's basically unavailable at the end of the hunt. I'm not grousing, I'm just sorry I can't register and partake of the extra goodies that it sounds like they're offering participants (shrug). But, I hope everyone that's doing the route has a great time! The wife and i were discussing how we could get a Thurdsay off to drive in the Indiana/West VA leg, registered or not.
Either way, it's a smidge disssapointing that they did this huge campaign and easter egg hunt, with a prize that's basically unavailable at the end of the hunt. I'm not grousing, I'm just sorry I can't register and partake of the extra goodies that it sounds like they're offering participants (shrug). But, I hope everyone that's doing the route has a great time! The wife and i were discussing how we could get a Thurdsay off to drive in the Indiana/West VA leg, registered or not.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by lurch70
.
if the campaign was run exclusively on the Owner' Lounge it would have been cool ... as it would "force" us all to gather there.
if the campaign was run exclusively on the Owner' Lounge it would have been cool ... as it would "force" us all to gather there.
By having it in multiple magazines, they boost the sales of each of the magazines since a MINI owner will buy them and ALSO pique the interest of non-MINI owners as in ... hmm what a cool culture they have there.
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Cambridge, MA
you're lucky i'm not your boss.
Originally Posted by bluzeke
Tore the ad out of my bosses' New Yorker today.
Mission Accomplished!
I'd say the new ad agency's pretty much picked up where the old one left off in the "clever dept."
Bring on the next "assignment"!
Mission Accomplished! I'd say the new ad agency's pretty much picked up where the old one left off in the "clever dept."
Bring on the next "assignment"!
6th Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 0
From: Oswego, IL
Originally Posted by agranger
She's been seeing another MINI behind your back. Odds are it has a larger supercharger!
Good one as she got a good laugh from it too.
I could post what she really said, but that might breaking the rules.
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: VA
Originally Posted by ImagoX
Either way, it's a smidge disssapointing that they did this huge campaign and easter egg hunt, with a prize that's basically unavailable at the end of the hunt. I'm not grousing, I'm just sorry I can't register and partake of the extra goodies that it sounds like they're offering participants (shrug). But, I hope everyone that's doing the route has a great time! The wife and i were discussing how we could get a Thurdsay off to drive in the Indiana/West VA leg, registered or not.
Originally Posted by koolmini
what am i goanna do with another MINI? (unless it's a classic mini )
) To get back on topic- Where's my box? (looks in mailbox...) Not yet.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, FL
I got the ad today out of the secretary's New Yorker! And yes, I asked her permission before tearing it out. Now I just have to wait for my box, which is currently on its way here. I hope I get it before the next leg of the mission is released!
For those of you that have decoded the message, it sounds like it has something to do with MTTS? Will those of us who are unable to participate in that still enjoy this treasure hunt?
Ad campaigns like this are what keep people like my family coming back to buy a new one each year. I think it's brilliant of them.
For those of you that have decoded the message, it sounds like it has something to do with MTTS? Will those of us who are unable to participate in that still enjoy this treasure hunt?
Ad campaigns like this are what keep people like my family coming back to buy a new one each year. I think it's brilliant of them.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,433
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester, MA, USA
Originally Posted by 2ndMiniac
... something to do with MTTS? Will those of us who are unable to participate in that still enjoy this treasure hunt?
The "secret" takes you to a fun website that looks like this:
Following various links entertain and eventually take you to a promo for MTTS - so that bit is less useful now, but the whole thing is still fun
