Daily Podcast: Motor Trend's Name is Mudd
Yesterday felt like some kind of tipping point. TTAC's traffic didn't jump (growth continues to be slow and organic). We didn't land a new advertiser or score a junket or receive an award or introduce a new feature. We just kept doing what we do. Only this time, we were covering the June sales stats. Working as a team, our writers turned around the data faster than our rivals, and did so with our usual panache (a.k.a. lousy attitude). If persistence is the key to success, then we will be successful. But we will never forget that our reputation must exceed– I mean "proceed us." We must stay resolutely not-to-say violently independent. I contrast this pledge with a new low in Motor Trend's decline and fall, from Dealer Sales & Marketing. "Mudd Advertising announced the launch of a new marketing program that lets dealerships leverage the renowned MOTOR TREND name and MOTOR TREND “Car of the Year”, “Truck of the Year”, and “Sport Utility of the Year” logos. Through a special licensing agreement with MOTOR TREND, Mudd Advertising dealer clients can use these MOTOR TREND award logos in direct mail pieces and POP displays to attract more in-market buyers and increase vehicle sales." When you have to literally sell your good name, it's time to call it a day. Ours is just beginning.
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"Consumer Reports loves boring cars and gives almost no value to any pleasurable aspects of driving" Just because a statement is repeated often doesn't make it true. For many years the Passat was CR's top rated mid-sized sedan in part because of it's then best in class driving dynamics. Consider CR's "Quick Picks" for a few categories: "Affordable V8 muscle: Ford Mustang GT" "High-performance cars: Porsche 911, Audi S4" "Affordable sporty cars: Mazdaspeed3, Mazda RX-8, Honda Civic Si, Mini Cooper S" Now look at what they say when comparing two of their top compacts: "The Civic has better fuel economy and crash-test results. The Mazda3 has more agile handling and is more fun to drive." Now tell me again why you think Consumer Reports only likes "boring cars".
For better or worse, print is a dying medium
canfood, It is almost 1:30 in the morning and I just read your input. I laughed so loud that my dog came into the computer room and looked at me like WTF?
Motortrend has devolved into pure dreck. Unreadable magazine. There are only two English language printed car magazines where every issue is worth a full read: Sports Car International, and Top Gear Magazine.