If one were to grade the marketing efforts in the motorcycle industry, you’d be hard pressed to hand out a grade better than a B- to one of the major OEMs. While some companies have produced some brand value, carved out a defensible niche for themselves, or caught on to this whole internet fad thing, none of the OEMs really do a bang-up job of hitting all the standard marketing best practices.
If we had to single out one company that needs a letter sent home to mom, it has to be Aprilia, as the Italian company constantly proves itself to be the pants-on-head retarded (sorry Sarah Palin) window-licking moron (sorry again Sarah Palin) paste-eating buffoon (we’re not sorry for that one) of motorcycling media. Report card: F with a “does not play well with others” note attached.
We don’t know how a company with a sport bike history launches a new exciting motorcycle that wins the World Superbike Championship in its second year of campaigning, and still manages to get the snot beaten out of it by BMW in liter bike sales. How does a company fail to capitalize on that sort of accomplishment?
Maybe it’s time someone in Aprilia HQ woke up and realized that the “race on Sunday, sell on Monday” sales slogan just doesn’t work, despite how cool it sounds when someone rattles it off like the eleventh commandment. Of course that cute little phrase might work better if dealerships were actually open on Mondays, but we feel like that’s asking far too much from the motorcycling industry sometimes.
We don’t know what we hate more about this video: the fact that it is really just not that funny, and makes an over-stated jab at Ducati riders (all of Aprilia’s marketing on the RSV4 as of late seems to be more about putting down the competition than promoting its own offering, which isn’t really that classy of a move for a “sophisticated” brand, let alone rarely results in sales increases), or the fact that Aprilia actually paid a social media company to make it.
The Italian company should just go back to buying off online publications to make its viral videos, at least those were mildly entertaining with their “I’m 18 and angry at my father” teenage angst, despite the clear conflicts of “reporting” going on.
Source: Bikes in the Fast Lane
Wow. That is sad.
Seems more appropriate for Harley than Aprilia, not that Harley are the only things for “real men”, just that they’re typically the riders to not recognize other riders in passing.
so yeah, I agree, the ad blows.
They should change up their marketing by following Apples method for their iPhones by just simply selling the “cool” factor rather than compare themselves to the competition.
damn that ad does suck…that what happens when a motorbike company hands over all control of an ad to a marketing company that doesn’t understand who they’re selling to…that was weak…in fact i wont buy an aprilia because of it!! (kidding)
funny post, enjoyed it! and very good points raised about a more appropriate marketing technique they should be using!
…and I don’t want to seem like a grammer-nazi, because I certainly am no english scholar…but when you’re flat-out calling someone an idiot, a spelling mistake really takes the sting out of the comment…”paste-easting”…
WOW. . . Lame . . .(o_O )
Is it just me, or did the guy on the dorsoduro at the end pull out into traffic and then check up on the brakes? haha, why didn’t they just show the “real man” getting t-boned by a beemer and then getting up and kicking the drivers ass?
BTW, the Ducati Nicky Hayden xmas video was worse. And on the topic of the marketing prowess of the manufacturers, I get emails from Ducati and have never seen such a sorry sight…. they look like garbage in gmail (not sure about other ESPs).
I’d rather ride the little red bike to a Harley bar rather than watch that again…Pretty bad. And your right Alex, the Ducati Christmas ad was pretty bush as well but this Aprilia thing was in a class of it’s own. What a piece of crap. At least they didn’t put Perris in it.
They certainly shouldnt have taken a Ducati toy to prove their point either, as I don’t think anyone would see a Ducati as not being a “real” bike. High maintenance yes, but so are Aprilias. Not their best ad for sure…
Thank the gods their engineers are better than their advertising department….this commercial was haga!
It’s unfortunate that the Aprilia marketers are so weak, given that the Aprilia engineers are so strong. I own and have owned a number of Aprilia motorcycles. I have had good luck with them mechanically and more importantly they have all been tremendously fun bikes to ride. It is frustrating as an Aprilia owner and fan that the company has not capitalized on their racing success and their high quality machines to increase sales and build a more robust dealer network.
AlexOnTwoWheels: Ironic how you defend slander with more slander
@Butch
I recently became an Aprilia convert myself after scoring a deal on one and I have nothing but good things to say about the bike, but the marketing is painful I agree.
Wish we had a forum here I would post some pics.
Creativity & Originality
Engage & Excite
Inform
All things an ad can hope to achieve, this one actually does the opposite. It hurts and makes Aprilia look quite bad actually. They need to pull the plug on that quickly like it never happened and make note never listen to whoever thought that was actually good idea again.
I’d have to agree that the Ducati Christmas ad was worse. Aprilia did do the spoof of the BMW tablecloth ad, though. Gotta give ‘em a few boner points for that.
I like to put my helmet on before my gloves. Other than that, I really have nothing more to add to the comments already posted.
I can’t believe they used the dorsoduro for that. It’s probably the lamest bike in their line up.
Wow, you all are drinking some good kool-aid there. I’ll go against the grain and say I thought the ad was funnier than hell. It didn’t make me think badly of Aprilia for having a little fun with Ducati, and it didn’t make me think less of Ducati. It was simply unexpected and funny. I love both brands and would certainly buy a bike from either in a heartbeat. Lighten up, it’s just a frickin’ commercial.
Of course it would help if the dealer channel had a reputation for quality service. Too many Aprila franchises are held by multi line dealers who really give a rip as they sell so few of the bikes. Also there are too many stories along the lines of I waited 6-9 months for a part so I could use the bike.
BMW for all their warts, has a decent dealer channel who takes care of the buyer.
Who cares? Aprilia is making the most raw, most exciting bikes of our time. Journalists and posers who spend more time on facebook and forums than riding are the only ones who could possibly care about Aprilia’s use of social media.
It made me laugh but I’ve also eaten my share of paste.
+1 RGR,, it’s too bad that that the ad got by so many,, on that one factor, I guess it failed.,, But I got it, and liked it. Shooting one over the bow of your competitor is not new, nor ineffective. They drew a line in the sand and stood by their brand as being the better brand. As long as their bikes can back it up, it’s OK.
What was in bad taste is Jenson’s offensive writing. This can’t be his main job, and it shows. You can get your point across without your I.Q. to that of a 10 year old. Not a whole lot of thought or imagination here. I’m not entirely politically correct, but then I don’t pretend to be a journalist either. A & R needs to put a disclaimer in front of this clown’s articles stating that it does not know about, or review what he writes.
Uh oh, there must be a link on an Aprilia forum somewhere; the fanboys are weighing in…
I got it?…. I guess we were wrong there are still some that think that is funny and or bad ass. Or the guys who made the video
I ride a Monster, I thought the ad was cute. Funnier to me is that I think the Monster alone, sells more than the whole of Aprilia’s line-up. Their problem is that they are trying to be more exclusive than Ducati, and even at that they fail, cause I would think one would rather have an MV Augusta instead.
+1 faster1
I too thought the ad was quite hysterical………On the other hand Jensen’s sophomoric writing is the last thing I want to read on a motorcycle blog.
@AlexOnTwoWheels Thank you! I wondered if I was just being a d!ck, but he is either double stopping (why?), or almost nailed by the cage… Seriously marketing peopel, at lease close the road so your ‘cool’ guy doesn’t end up looking like a choad.
Kinda cheeky…I’d still buy an Aprilia though.
@DWolvin… word, just callin’ it like i see. it.
For all that are condemning Jensen’s post, you’re missing the point. This is only a slight jab at Aprilia, but more importantly a STAB at the marketing prowess of the entire industry. While it has come a long way, it’s still primitive. The level of sophistication and execution can come a long way, and that would be good for the industry. Jensen makes these points because he likes Aprilia, and thinks they should/can do much better! Worth mentioning kudos to Yamaha for their exceptional viral video efforts… self depricating, no stabs at competitors, and featuring the real men that whipe these machines around the worlds best racetracks. Why didn’t Aprilia get Biaggi to be in this video?
Did anyone else also notice that the supposed ‘loser’ on the Ducati got laid the night before, and has a fat house with a pool and a gazebo? I’d ride that little electric Ducati with training wheels to work for a year in exchange for that house! But then I’d have to change my screen name to AlexOnTrainingWheels :-(
Since when did people buy their motorcycle based on an ad anyway? Everyone buys the best looking bike they can afford or the one with the best numbers.
Why the Sarah Palin slams? Pandering to one side of your readers or what? I like to get away from that stuff by reading what I love when I’m here in the sandbox of Iraq…….last place I thought I’d see juvenile slams on a political figure.
lol it’s funny how bad this ad is, but even funnier how defensive you get about a dig on ducati, Jensen. I think you’ve been drinking too much of their kool-aid…
AlexOnTwoWheels, I agree completely, it would’ve been badass to get Biaggi in there, maybe slo-mo backing into a corner or something. Oh yea but while it’s nice to think that Jensen likes Aprilia, seems like this Ducatisti, based on past reading, got his undies in a bundle mostly over the jab at his fave brand.
Gloves on before helmet? ‘Nuff said.
Sunglasses and gloves… haha!!
The ad blows, period. If you like it well, your simple and in no creative position to comment (and if you are well you suck at it)
If Aprilia intended to put an smile on the viewer, they achieved it with me but if I was going to get another REAL BIKE FOR MEN, then it would be another BMWS1000RR..lol
I completely agree with most of you here, the ad is definitely gay.
ROTFLMAO…and if you didn’t GET the joke, well you just might be a pants on your head retard. Mind ewe though, nothing wrong with what he rides if that’s what makes him giggle in his helmet. After all, THAT is the definition of a real motorcycle. I wont mention that anyone who insists that ONLY 1L plus motorcycles are the real thing is a complete and utter paste eating tool. Because that is just opinion. Then again if you can’t haul butt with 70hp or less you probally can’t ride for squat. 8^)
Another cry-baby story by a ‘ so-called ‘ objective journalist – Jensen Beeler….I’m sure you have a Ducati in the garage…face-it…you lost the WSBK.
Over the years Ducati has been brilliant…..at planting their own rider reviews on Aprilia models. It is easy to spot….they mention the word ‘ Ducati ‘ about 30 times in a review on an Aprilia, ( SAD ) always careful not to down-play Aprilia to much, but making sure to end the review with….Ducati a better choice. I have about 10 similar reviews on RSV’s dating from 1999. Having done 35 000 km on a RSV-R on road and track, it is blatantly obvious what sh*t was written by a pro-Ducatitisti. I have all the respect for an objective journalist and none for the ‘ planted ‘ ones.
I get the rant on Aprilia, but why the need to make issue with a US politician/media celeb by aarrogant snobbish twat foriegn internet hack psuedo journo is beyond me. Can the sod
Crap, pure crap. Why a mailorder house in Philadelphia could do a better job. Click: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nbb2kSgVsss
congrats Jensen, you’ve created a controversial article. That’s not said in sarcasm since the fact of the matter is: controversial journalist are the only ones that are memorable.
Congrats also in showing that so many people read and hear what they want to read and hear regardless of what is actually printed or said/
The most stupid about this video is that Ducati riders and Aprilia riders are one communitiy.
Aprilia riders could be potential Ducati riders and vise versa. By insulting Ducati they are infact insulting themselves.
It was a good add and anyone that says diffent is a either a poopoo head OR a compleate and utter onager.
and if you insist on you monster bikes you are compensating.
“The most stupid about this video is that Ducati riders and Aprilia riders are one community.”
I honestly never thought of it that way, but I realize that is pretty much the truth.
Epic fail… by your site. sorry.
this is ***not*** an official commercial by Aprilia.
Jensen- get a sence of humor…
the rest of you guys- get a life
I’m still buying an Aprilia.
That could have turned me against Aprilla forever, if I didn’t love mine so much. I bought a Buell X1 Lightning in 2000 thinking it would be a great bike. 1200cc and the Honda 600cc walked off and left me in the dust. I traded the Buell in on a Triumph Daytona T595 three months after buying it and still have that bike. In 2007 I bought my RSV and fell in love with it also. My wife calls those two bike my mistresses, hey they never talk back and they’re always willing to let me ride them. I don’t want to sound anti American because I’m not, served 22 years in the US Army mostly stationed at Fort Benning with the 101st, but i will never own another Harley, at least not until I get 70 or older.
Too bad you did not try the later Buell XB9S or XB12 series or better yet the Buell 1125R. I made the choices through which you’ve been and the later Buells are still awesome. The Aprilia is a superb machine, however, don’t sell the later Buells too short. As a draftee from 1965, thanks for your fine service to the USA!
I use to like Aprilia…
Any brand that markets their product by hitting out at other manufactures for no apparent reason (ala Aprila on BMW) makes themselves look like 8 year old idiotic bullies. BMW is usually the subject, from Audi and now Aprilia but BMW doesn’t feel the need to retaliate nor should they. BMW has one of the best and original marketing departments, their unscripted videos wins more hearts than any of these imbecile commercials by Aprilia.