Volvo is knowing a huge success with an internet banner including a live twitter feedback… (USA)

For 24 hours on April 15, 2009; Volvo had used an extended masthead
banner ad (950 x250) on youtube.com to promote its XC60 model in the
US.
Volvo is the first automotive brand to be featured in the biggest ad
placement youtube has ever run to date. The banner can be directly deleted by
web users with a “close this ad option”. In addition, it includes brilliants firsts;
such as several goodies (pictures, videos and games) and a live twitter feed
that can be viewed on the brand’s twitter blog especially created for Volvo
XC60 model. In three months the banner has generated lots of interest with
more than 1400 followers of Volvo’s twitter profile. The brand has
successfully reached its goal to create a buzz on online communities as well as
to increase dealership visit in the US as it had communicated on the car launch
events through demo or free tests etc..
For your information, Micro blogging buzz is becoming a phenomenon thanks
mostly to twitter (a very user friendly, easy to use ;widely known).

Volvo campaign to include barcoded ads for quick response

Volvo is set to launch a pan-European advertising campaign for its C70 marque that will include print ads with a specially integrated QR (Quick Response) barcode. The Swedish car maker's Ice White campaign has been built around the theme "open up and come alive", and uses the print ads to provide readers with instant access to additional web content on their mobile.

Magazines included within the UK activity include Haymarket's What Car? and Autocar, and Dennis Publishing's Auto Express. The five-month campaign, planned by Mindshare's Invention group, launches next week (9 March) in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

There will also be online display and search activity, driving traffic to a microsite with information about the Volvo C70. In addition, banner ads and e-mail promotions will be served through an online affiliate program with the objective of generating a guaranteed number of leads.

Paul Walder, global marketing investment manager at Volvo Cars, said: "This is of course a rational, targeted approach, but also one that provides the best way to test and measure offer and media impact in terms of sales lead generation. 

"In addition, the QR code application provides a great way to enable consumers to move from an offline to an online environment, to really enhance their information-gathering efforts."