Moto Poll: Are Hot Babes Good for Harley Advertising?
Thursday October 9, 2008
Harley sales may be lagging, but that doesn't mean the Motor Company isn't spending big ad bucks in order to fight their slump. From their "Screw it, let's ride" campaign to their even snappier sequel, Harley-- at least from a marketing perspective-- is moving full steam ahead.
Their latest ad campaign features American supermodel Marisa Miller crouched atop a new V-Rod Muscle, wearing hot pants and thigh-high leather boots (click photo to enlarge.) Complemented with a "making of" video on Harley's YouTube page, the campaign is cross-promoted on Facebook and MySpace, and also takes advantage of SnapTell technology, which unlocks exclusive content when the ad is photographed by a mobile phone.
Though sexy women are nothing new in the advertising world, Ms. Miller's appearance atop a power cruiser marks a different creative direction for Harley.
That said, do you think American supermodels will help sell Harleys?
- Sure, there's nothing like a hot blonde to boost motorcycle sales.
- Nope. Harley needs more than babes to sell bikes.
- Forget biker babes or spoken word ads; Harley needs to take an entirely different approach in marketing their motorcycles.
>>Click here to view poll results without voting<<
Related:
- 2009 Harley-Davidson Buyer's Guide
- 2009 Harley-Davidson CVO Buyer's Guide
- Harley Sez "Screw it"
- Harley Sez "Screw it" Again... With a Twist
Photo © Harley-Davidson
Click to enlarge
Comments
Sex sells.
Always have, always will.
But you gotta figure a certain percentage of female(and “progressive” male) riders will likely be put off by such advertising/marketing schemes.
Makes for an excellent ad. I like to think that for every new harley rider that ad hooks, i deter 3 riders from going harley with facts about their service.
Gutterboy…funny you should use the word “hook” …these are reminiscent of the BSA ad’s from 60’s / 70’s.
I like a good looking half naked girl as much as the next guy - but - you notice the rest of the motorcycle industry has finally managed to move past the sleaze that was so prevalent for so many years.
Too bad H-D hasn’t grown up….but then look at the majority of their audience.
Sure ” HOT BABES ” help sell motorcycles - Remember the ” Norton Girls ” ?
Sex only draws attention to the product! The reality will hit when you walk into the Harley dealer and you need to get a second mortgage on your home to buy one! That great looking woman on the bike doesn’t do much for you at that time! Let the bike stand on it own merits!!!
We live in a technically savvy world. Smart buyers will assess bikes on their merits and buy the make and model that suits them. Anyone who buys a product based on an image of a pretty girl is a fool.
Consider the current market trends show 50% of new bike business is currently coming from women taking up the hobby for the first time or returning to it after the kids are grown. How much of an impact do you suppose scantily clad babes will make on that segment of the market? NADA. If Harley trying to stay alive in the current marketplace, they are missing the mark by a mile using outdated marketing concepts.