Professional Documents
Culture Documents
INTEGRATED MARKETING
COMMUNICATION TODAY.
THE CASE STUDY OF THE
FIAT 500. A longitudinal case
Simonetta Pattuglia
Faculty of Economics – Dpt. of Management
University of Rome Tor Vergata
pattuglia@economia.uniroma2.it
Source: Pattuglia S., Integrated Marketing Communication and Brand Management: The Case Study of Fiat
500, McGrawHill Ideas, 2011
The research
This research focused on a case study – the
launch of new Fiat 500 – a benchmark of
new integrated marketing communication
based on digital platform and events which
combining messages, tools and medias
(high tech/high touch, virtual/real,
innovative/traditional) succeeds to support
the appeal of the car but also to reposition –
to “rejouvenate” (Kapferer) the brand
perception of the Company.
S.Pattuglia Univ Rome Tor Vergata
Paris Jan 2009 Rev March 2011
JULY 2015 Rev 2017
The case
“Welcome bambina!”
www.fiat500/blogspot.comS.Pattuglia Univ Rome Tor Vergata
Paris Jan 2009 Rev March 2011
JULY 2015 Rev 2017
The case of the Fiat 500
The launch of the new Fiat 500 represents a significant
example of new integrated communication, a benchmark at
both the business and the product level.
It is a tangible and clear illustration of the progress made by
integrated marketing communication and of the broad
reach of its tools, either traditional and real, or
virtual.
Fiat Auto’s communication strategy consisted in using a
new product to successfully convey a new image and,
most importantly, to revive and reposition a tarnished
corporate identity (brand).
For this reason, its communication effort should be
considered a point of reference for other companies in
both the same and other industries.
S.Pattuglia Univ Rome Tor Vergata
Paris Jan 2009 Rev March 2011
JULY 2015 Rev 2017
The launch of
the new Fiat 500
1957-1975: 3.8 million old Fiat 500 cars sold
July 4, 2007: Fiat says: … start of a new chapter, .. role that
Fiat aims to interpret .. market and in society. .. conscious
consumption. … quality and emotions, … The 500 is the
tangible synthesis of these aspirations. … Fiat smiles at
the future”.
5th July 2007: A great international attention:
“La mythique Fiat 500 s’offre une seconde jeunesse”, Les Echos
“Big aspirations for the little Fiat 500”, Herald Tribune
“El Fiat 500 vuelve a circular 50 anos despues”, El Pais
“Small but still perfectly formed – Italy unveils new Fiat 500 at
50th birthday extravaganza”, The Times
“La 500 fait son come back”, La Tribune
“Fiat takes ride on a mini”, The Wall Street Journal Europe
S.Pattuglia Univ Rome Tor Vergata
Paris Jan 2009 Rev March 2011
JULY 2015 Rev 2017
A comparison of sales of the main city cars –
Mini/Smart/500 2000-2008 (first quarter) –
Registrations
Vendite Mini-Smart-500
2000 - 2008 (primo trimestre)
160000
150000
133580 143.999
140000 131672
130000 128.519
111629 123.551
120000 110167 116.147 113.655
110000
Immatricolazioni
104217 105.713
100000 101853
101754
90000 Fiat 500
94098
80000 BMW mini
70000 Smart
60000
50000
40000
22.353
30000
24.762 26.672
20000 22.298
10000 16349
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Anno
- 500 lifestyle
- 500 everywhere
Results:
- 5,433 registered in the contest from 97
countries
- 1,057 design projects received
jury:
giorgio armani
jasper morrison
gabriele salvatores
luca cordero di montezemolo
500 designboom winners
Winner : displayed in milan, at "salone del mobile 2007”
Subject:
decoration for the new 500
externals
500 Première
"CAR OF THE YEAR 2008" - CROAZIA (eletta 2 volte: da 10 membri giuria e dai lettori "Auto Magazines"
"Top Auto 2008" nella categoria City - Germania - votata da 150 giornalisti dell'auto in Germania, Svizzera
e Austria
Auto n° 1 - Lettori di Auto Plus - (gennaio 08)
"CHI E' Cars of the Year 2008" (Crisalide Press) - genn. 08
"Trophée de la réussite commerciale" (L'Automobile Magazine) dic. 07
Vettura femminile 2007 (Auto con la Fantasia) - Polonia - lettori Twoj Styl
"Miglior Vettura Piccola" (categoria degli importatori) lettori di Auto Zeitung (Germania) nwell'ambito del
premio Auto Trophy per la seconda volta consecutiva
"Best cars 200" - Portogallo - Rivista Motor Press - categoria super Mini - (febbr. 09)
"The best car of 2009" - Slovenia - Avto Magazin - categ. Mini cars - (febbr. 09)
"2009 World Design Car of the Year" annunciato al New York International Auto
Show - 09.04.2009
"Il premio dei premi"- assegnato dal Ministero per la Pubblica Amministrazione e
L'innovazione. (9 giugno 2009)
500 - 2010
"TOP auto 2010" categoria Fun - giornalisti tedeschi settore automotive
500 Abarth
"Sportscar 2009" lettori di Auto Bild nella cat. delle piccole (Germania) Nov. 09
High touch: Sponsoring
500 1.4 16V
Dedicated to
Valentino Rossi
Yamaha Moto
GP
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
SMART 101853 104217 110167 111629 133580 131672 101754 94085 103377 95155
Prodotto
Eventing e Brand Heritage
Prodotto allargato
High Tech
High Touch