Branding guru Al Reis has soothed this publisher's fevered e-brow on more than one occasion. "Chill out," Big Al recently advised. "The strongest brands start small and grow slowly." If that's the criteria for brand strength, TTAC is the Kleenex of automotive blogs. Thankfully, we are growing. As expected, the Ten Worst awards (results on Thursday) are pulling in the punters. Also unsurprisingly, a percentage of these newbies have decided to check up on us on a regular basis. Not to steal the UAW's obfuscatory techniques, the last couple of weeks have seen about a 10 – 15 percent bump in daily uniques (that's you and your best buds). To capitalize on our momentum, I've managed to raise addition funding for the site's editorial budget. To reward our faithful scribes, I'm doubling the editorial and review writers' fees, from nothing much to well something's better than nothing. I'm also tripling the bloggers' pay, from you must be joking to are you kidding? I've hired a product guru, to provide at least two 800-word product reviews per week. And, most important of all, I'm looking for a Review Coordinator. I'm looking for someone to keep track of our reviews, schedule new ones with our stable of car hacks (and write some SVP), talk to manufacturers about getting press cars, secure test vehicles from another (still undisclosed) supplier and generally get us closer to aheadofthecurvosity. The pay is eh, but it IS a paid (freelance) position. If you're interested, please send a CV and a plea to frank.williams@thetruthaboutcars.com with the words "Review Guru" in the subject bar. Meanwhile, if you could email Thursday's Ten Worst award post to all your pistonhead pals, I'd be MOST appreciative.
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I think we are very Colbertian in style, though I’ve been writing for TTAC longer than I’ve been a fan of the great Report. I think our/their brand of commentary is a natural extension of terrible decisions in Detroit/Washington and the toothless analysis from the media.
One more thought: GM’s cash is wasted on chasing the Prius; they should have an all-out war against the Camry.
The Ten Worst Awards will be announced on THURSDAY, November 1.
I’m surprised that neither of you are familiar with the Colbert Report. I think it puts your pop culture IQ in the lower bracket. Since he’s also a bit of an internet phenom (his screwing with Wikipedia was hilarious) maybe you could get him as a guest columnist?
beetlebug:
I’m familiar with who he is and the show, but for whatever reason I never found him especially funny (apparently this means I also find myself boring). In any case, Colbert Report conflicts with Family Guy at 11:30.
Guys!
Green is the future. It’s here to stay. Aided and abetted by economics. If gas gets to $6 by the time the Volt comes out (if it comes out), it will sell like hotcakes.
Get into the 20th century now that it’s over!
I can’t believe people are still talking about the Volt, a car that doesn’t exist. Same for Tesla.
At least they made an interesting movie about Tuckers, and I’ve seen one in person…and it drives. With something more than a mock up powertrain.
And who thinks TTAC (or Mr. Farago and Mr. Berkowitz) are anything similar to Mr. Colbert?
I, as a mild to moderate Colbert fan, would absolutely love to promote TTAC as a guest on the Report.
I’ll even get him a 1:18th scale model of that 1968 Mercury Cougar GT he wanted so badly. Word is bond.
This link seems appropriate to this thread.
burgermind:
Classic quote – “Remember kids, look both ways or Al Gore’ll get you.”
Thanks for the laugh.