Another Great Marketing Idea Stolen

Los Angeles based 30-minute quit smoking laser therapy clinic company vehicle is stolen off Sunset strip.

LOS ANGELES, CA May 10, 2004 -- The auto wrap is one of many new marketing trends being used by companies to spread their message to the road-bound masses. Using digital technology, automobile graphic wraps are designed for attention grabbing vehicular marketing impact. This type of marketing strategy is touted as an ideal cost-effective alternative to billboard, radio and television advertising. In populous markets like Los Angeles where traffic is bumper to bumper, it is the kind of marketing strategy that puts brands in close contact with consumers. That was the goal Craig Nabat had in mind for his company Freedom Laser Therapy, a stop smoking laser therapy clinic.

Nabat opened his office for Freedom Laser Therapy 5 months ago in an upscale office complex in Santa Monica. Knowing Los Angeles to be a difficult market for advertising, one of Nabat's promotional strategies was to invest over $35,000 dollars in a convertible Z4 BMW and spend an additional $3,000 in custom auto wrapping. The Freedom's logo, company website, Chinese symbols meaning the word Freedom, and company trademarks are printed all over the vehicle which give it a race car appeal. Less than two weeks after the car hit the streets, it was stolen. The valet at a premier hotel off the infamous Sunset Strip in West Hollywood mistakenly gave the keys to a couple of car thieves. The crafty thieves were able to trick the valet into handing them over the car keys. Fortunately, Nabat got his BMW back 24 hours later with no damage and nothing missing, enabling him to finally put his theory to the test.

Known for inventing the infomercial product the FINDIT key finder, Nabat laughs wryly at his luck. "I guess this was my welcome to LA, I had the car costumed wrapped this way to get the most attention possible - I guess it worked a little too well."

Commerce around auto wrapping is growing rapidly, with truck side ad space being incorporated into the standard marketing mix for many companies. Graphic wraps for cars and SUVs start at $2-3 thousand and go up from there. Does the marketing work? Fortunately, Nabat got his BMW back 24 hours later with no damage and nothing missing, enabling him to finally put his theory to the test.

"I was out in the car less than 5 minutes after picking up the stolen car from a Los Angeles impound when a woman asked me at a stoplight whether my clinic could really get her to quit smoking." I got out, gave her a $50 off coupon and pulled away. That's exactly the kind of response I was hoping for."

According to Paul Stoakes, owner of Stop Sign and Design in Los Angeles, auto wrapping has generated a massive new revenue stream for his business. "With a wrap, you can take the graphics beyond the limitations of side panels and use the entire surface of your car. It's more labor intensive, but also allows for more creative possibilities."

For more information about this story call:

Freedom Laser Therapy
720 Wilshire Blvd.
Third Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310-458-5558 tel
310-458-5557 fax
e-mail protected from spam bots
www.freedomlasertherapy.com


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