Jeep Rescue Optical Illusion

Jeep Rescue Optical Illusion, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

I created a mash-up in PhotoShop of the Jeep Rescue Concept Vehicle and some tires & wheels that have a life of their own. Hope you enjoy this fun Jeep optical illusion.

Jeep Wrangler Pork Chop Optical Illusion

Jeep Wrangler Pork Chop Optical Illusion, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

I thought the Jeep Wrangler Pork Chop concept vehicle by Mopar could use some new psychadelic tread. Hope you enjoy my down-and-dirty optical illusion PhotoShop mash-up!

Willys Jeep on Ad Agency Web Site

Willys Jeep on Ad Agency Web Site, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

Found this creative on www.designlicks.com - new site and agency called SheepinJeep Creative Lab in Argentina. Clever way to use a Jeep 4x4 as the vehicle that carries their creative. Check it out at www.sheeponjeep.co/amigolandia.html

Jeep USAB Basketball Copywriter

Wrote this copy for the jeep.com / USAB page. The Jeep brand and USA Basketball in 2012. They both share many of the same core values - including their quest excellence and ability to tap into their inner strength, courage and passion for a noble cause. Click here for a full-size layout. Worked closely with Steve Koch in our Toronto office to create the messaging/copy for this page:

BELIEVING IN THE POWER WITHIN YOU

Digging deep. Surmounting obstacles. And enjoying every moment. It's all about drive and excellence as the Jeep brand supports another American icon: USA Basketball. Come along. It's always going to be an exciting journey.

A LEGENDARY VEHICLE PROUDLY SUPPORTING A LEGENDARY TEAM
Jeep(r) Brand and USA Basketball have always shared: a drive for excellence. Always honing their capabilities and working to overcome every obstacle, both define unmatched performance and unparalleled ability across the globe. Today, the Jeep brand is proud to applaud our team for using their inner strength, courage and passion to pave the road to victory. Now, we'd like to invite you to celebrate that experience and believe in the drive that we know also lies within you.

Jeep Wranger Grille Advertisement

Jeep Wranger Grille Advertisement, a photo by lee.ekstrom on Flickr.

The wild and adventurous view from the engine compartment of a mighty Jeep Wrangler.

This "Capture the Wild" advertisement promoted the "Go Anywhere, Do Anything" Jeep Wrangler in the international arena.

The creative was produced by Publicis (Montreal, Canada). Creative Directors: Nicolas, Massey and Carl Robichaud. Art Director/Illustrator: Bogdan Truta; Copywriter: Michael Aronson.

Interesting note: The 2004 electric-based Jeep Treo concept vehicle had clear plexiglass slots on the Jeep grille so the driver could see right to the pavement.

Jeep Brand History iPad App

The Jeep brand just launched a new free iPad app on iTunes. This app was an extension of the Jeep Touch Screen Display that our SapientNitro team put together to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Jeep brand.

I had to shorten some of the copy to fit, but it's almost the same copy throughout. Great execution with nice touches by Art Director Extraordinaire, David Fasullo.

The app lets consumers explore photos and copy of
Jeep vehicles from the past seven decades, including the Willys MB - the original 4x4 freedom machine.

You can download the app at the iTunes store. If you like what you see, give a good rating and leave a nice comment at the iTunes store.

2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept Flyer 2 of 2

2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept Flyer 2 of 2
Originally uploaded by lee.ekstrom

The 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept Vehicle seems to be making its way back in the press again. Jeep CEO Mike Manley showed dealers a version of this multipurpose vehicle (aka "pickup truck") at a dealer meeting in Orlando, Florida last year. Its expected that production of a Jeep exotic will begin in the third quarter of 2011, and be badged as a 2012.

My art director partner, Dennis Outlaw and I created this Auto Show Flyer/Brochure when we worked at BBDO Detroit on the Jeep Creative team.

Classic Billboard Ads

"What would you expect from a city with a statue of a fist?"

An engineer friend from GM recently sent me an email with some classic General Motors billboard ads created by Campbell-Ewald for the Woodward Dream Cruise from 2001-08. These bold billboard statements reminded me of a lot of the retooled "Imported from Detroit" message in the recent Born of Fire Chrysler video that aired at Super Bowl XLV. One of the featured Detroit landmarks in the homage to Detroit was the massive statue of a fist commissioned by Time Inc. in honor of Joe Louis Barrow, aka "The Brown Bomber."

Some more of my favorites:

Enjoy The Ride

Hugh Barton of Glue Audio sent this short animation to Dante Nagy, our art buyer at Organic. Glue worked with Santa Monica based King and Country to create a vibrant other-world, where a tired old Fiat 500 is rejuvenated and given new life.
Great execution - especially enjoyed the sound. According to Hugh it's been "ripping-up film festivals and was featured on Motionographer. I enjoyed looking at the boards almost as much as the finished product. Click here and enjoy a HQ version of "The Ride."

Wrangler Sales Way Up

The Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited sales are going through the Sunrider® soft top roof. That's all relative today, but sales are brisk according to forbes.com. Wrangler sales are up 28.1% compared to 2008. And they're bound to get better this spring. While Wrangler may not be included in lists of top-10 convertibles - it has every right to be. Wrangler isn't classified as a convertible, but everyone knows the wind-in-your-hair freedom that can only come with the top down while four-wheeling. And no other vehicle in America has a fold-down front windshield.

This past year we upgraded the jeep.com Web site to include many of these "only-in-a-Wrangler" features. As the Senior Copywriter and lead Jeep content manager I worked with our multi-talented creative team to bolster up the original 4x4 freedom machine's presence on-line. We added loads of content about the removable doors, Sunrider® Soft Top and Freedom Top three-piece modular hardtop, Mopar® accessories, and much more. The Trail Rated®, Rubicon, and off-road performance sections were beefed as well. The Jeep team did a marvelous job of conveying the freedom that can only be had in a Wrangler 4x4. Our clients were elated and sales have continued to rise despite the economic doldrum.

Compare that with the Toyota FJ. According to forbes.com sales have tanked 55 % compared to 2008. 'Nuff said.