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.

2005 Jeep Gladiator Brochure

2005 Jeep Gladiator Brochure 1 of 2
Originally uploaded by lee.ekstrom

The 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept Vehicle seems to be making its way back in the press again. In January, Chrysler Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said the Jeep brand would be releasing a "multipurpose" vehicle that will have a pickup-like bed in the back. That kind of jives with this flyer.

My art director partner, Dennis Outlaw and I created this 2005 Auto Show Brochure when we worked at BBDO Detroit on the Jeep Creative team.

SO UNIQUE, IT DEMANDED A CATEGORY ALL ITS OWN.
When we produced this flyer in 2005, we were tasked to keep the Gladiator out of the truck category - ultimately calling it a "Flexible Utility Truck."Thankfully this last line may hold true:

This authentic statement of Jeep brand heritage is but a glimpse of the direction the brand could go in the near future.

No comment on the word "near." The Gladiator Concept Vehicle relied heavily on the Wrangler front grille. An integrated front recovery winch was a nice touch. We'll have to see how closely it lines up with the real thing once it launches later this year.
The new multipurpose exotic Jeep (sort-of pick-truck) 4x4 will most likely be sold internationally as well.Copy from the flyer:

A category all its own - the Jeep® Gladiator concept vehicle is the first "Flexible Utility Truck," a mid-size alternate with a max-size appetite for more. Go ahead, get a second helping. With Gladiator's expandable bed you can stretch from 5'8" to 6'8" to 8'11" in a matter of minutes. You never know when an extra foot of truck-bed space will come in handy. A dent-resistant Durabed Bedliner and multiple tie-down help tether gear should you be trailering an F5 twister.

A trick driver-side rear-seat access hatch allows for easy retrieval of stowed gear. Under the side-mounted spare is a bottle jack stored in a military-style watertight box.

Peel back the canvas top partially, or remove it completely, for a huge sky/moon/star roof. Hauling a 4'x8' drywall in a mid-size? Sure! Gladiator's rear-seat stows away beneath the truck bed, and a slide-down rear glass and lowered tailgate instantly reward the user with over 8'11" of bragging rights.

Key Features of the Jeep Gladiator Concept Vehicle:

• Powerful 2.8L I-4 Turbo Diesel engine (295 lb-ft of torque / 163 hp)
• Heavy-duty 6-speed manual transmission
• Trail Rated® Capability
• Proven Command-Trac® 4x4 system
• Exposed hood latches / door handles
• Armour Green Metallic paint
• Integrated front recovery winch
• Goodyear 265/75R18 (33-inch tall) tires
• 18x8-inch cast-aluminum polished wheels
• Super-tough front / rear solid axles
• Suspension: 4-link front coil and 5-link rear with dual coils (includes separate ride and load coils)
• Bed length - 5'8"
• Midgate forward - 6'8"
• Expanded with tailgate down (min) - 8'11"
• Open fenders / extra-wide rear fenders
• Passenger-side rear door (opens a full 180 degrees)

The strategically placed side-mounted spare tire is all about utility, ultimate use of rear bed space, and uber coolness.

Copy: Lee Ekstrom
Art Direction: Dennis Outlaw
Agency: BBDO-Detroit

Jeep Wagoneer Stars in Utah Ad Campaign

Properly secure all cargo.
Originally uploaded by lee.ekstrom

Jeep SJ featured in a Utah Advertisement. This ad was created by art director Brandon Knowlden for the state of Utah.

The "Life Elevated" campaign was to highlight the four-seasons of adventure Utah had to offer. The 1979 Jeep Wagoneer was bought on Craigslist.com and was the centerpiece of the $3.2 million advertising campaign.

Reminds me a lot of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited overloaded backpacker theme we did a while back at BBDO-Detroit.

Another similar VW ad cleverly used a competitors vehicle loaded down to show the possible benefits of their voluminous, box-shaped VW Station Wagon.

Love the line, "So every time they make a conventional station wagon, they also make a swell little ad for the Volkswagen Station Wagon.

Utah Road Trip YouTube Video by utahtourism.

Article about the campaign by automotivetraveler.com.

Brandon Knowlden Blog.

Vintage Jeep Pedal Car

Found this 1950s Hamilton Air Force Jeep Pedal Car on one of my favorite new sites: jalopyjournal. Learn more about the Jeep Pedal Cars here. I am convinced early associations through Jeep pedal cars and battery-powered Jeep Wrangler Power Wheels have lasting effects on the "I've always wanted one" phenomenon associated with the Jeep brand.

$2,000 Beer Can Jeep

You can purchase this masterpiece of Aluminum machinery for a cool $2,000 cash.
Or, buy the designs for $10 and try it yourself at home.
You'll need some other supplies as well: superglue, single edged razor blades, sharp scissors, sand paper, galvanized wire, electric cable, tiny nuts and bolts, washers, aluminum tubing, small piece of wood, and a few pins from a sewing kit.
That and a few hundred (or thousand) hours depending on skill set. Give yourself four weeks of part time work if you're an expert.
According to perfectionist artist Sandy Sanderson, choosing a can can be a tough decision.
You may want to visit the local Beer importer to get the best colors and graphics for your Beer Can Jeep.Sandy Sanderson is a perfectionist. He recycles. He lives in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Favorite New Chair

I want one for my office. Fashioned by Patrick Amiot Urban Furniture.

Living the Jeep Life

Harold Stephens in his new Willys Jeep 4x4 in front of the capitol in Washington, D.C. - prior to sending it overseas on his world-wide adventure.

The Jeep brand has always been marketed as a vehicle that enables the driver to "Go Anywhere, Do Anything. Harold Stephens took that spirit and lived it to the fullest. Stephens was in the Marines and stationed in China during World War II when his life-long adventure with Jeep vehicles began. He and a buddy "borrowed" a Jeep and explored along the Great Wall of China.

Stephens and his bright-red Willys Jeep 4x4 traveled the globe through Southeast Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia. His collective tales were sold to Argosy Magazine and later printed in his many books.

Check out Stephens website to learn more about his many adventures in his Willys Jeep 4x4.

Born For War - Ready for Peace

Born For War - Ready for Peace
Originally uploaded by lee.ekstrom

1945 Jeep Ad in the Saturday Evening Post

This ad was published as Willys-Overland was trying to establish a Civilian purpose for the mighty Willys MB post World War II. This transition period was important in re-introducing a new purpose for the heroic "Jeep".

The advertisement reads:

.. To millions of people all over the world “JEEP” means WILLYS ..

Famous for its outstanding performance in war, the “Jeep” has been fitted for peace, to work and serve on farms and in industry, around the world.

The “Jeep” for peace, amazing in its versatility, is fitted to do a hundred-and-one jobs for the postwar Farmer and as many more for Industry … around the clock, around the year, around the world.

It pulls, pushes or drags every type of farm implement. Doubles as a highway vehicle for a speedy trip to town, and then rounds out a full day as a mobile power plant – takes “jeep” power to the job. An ever-ready servant twenty-four hours a day, the “Jeep” for peace raises the curtain on a new conception of automotive service … ushers in a new era of mechanization for farm and industry. Get a “Jeep”!

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:

Chrysler Eminem Super Bowl Commercial - Imported From Detroit

Love this commercial. The tone, voice talent, Detroit-theme. It works. Imported From Detroit tagline is brilliant.

VW Black Beetle YouTube Take Over

Liked the VW XLV super bowl ad. But the YouTube take-over at youtube.com/blackbeetle will create even more buzz. The damn thing gone wild (bam-a-lam). VW's racing-striped Black Beetle knocks dirt and bombastically bam-ba-lam's the foundation of Youtube as it races to knock the user interface silly to Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's cover of Ram Jam's infectious "Black Betty." Nice one-two punch.