This might be old news for some, but I came across this image while perusing the web and nearly fell off my chair laughing! Serves Audi right. At the same time, it would be cooler if the owners of the two Santa Monica dealerships were friends, but that seems unlikely.

This ad actually reminded me of scenarios I have faced during my years in business. I have never found it beneficial for people to seek defamation unless in a facetious way (perhaps this is applicable). I think it is wiser to make friends (even with “competitors”) than to make enemies.

bmw-checkmate

For those who have trouble reading the billboards, it reads “Your move, BMW.” by Audi and “Checkmate.” by BMW. Pay attention to the details :)

  • horizontal vs. vertical
  • white background vs. black background
  • black car vs. white car
  • white text vs. black text
  • regular font weight vs. bold
  • correlating logo positions

Fun times,

Lawrence Chan

P.S. Would you rather have an Audi or BMW? With this ad, I’m with the Ultimate Driving Machine. Vroooom!

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52 Responses to BMW Checkmate! Requited Provocation

  1. Chris says:

    too awesome! i’ve always been a bimmer fan myself, but this completely cements it! thanks for sharing! :)

  2. Chris says:

    too awesome! i’ve always been a bimmer fan myself, but this completely cements it! thanks for sharing! :)

  3. In life and in business, it always makes sense to make friends…not enemies. Never talk trash about the competition…you never know who’s listening.

    Love the ad…you can almost hear the conversation between the ad agent and dealership owner..”You know what would be funny…:)”

  4. In life and in business, it always makes sense to make friends…not enemies. Never talk trash about the competition…you never know who’s listening.

    Love the ad…you can almost hear the conversation between the ad agent and dealership owner..”You know what would be funny…:)”

  5. Jenilee says:

    HAHAHAHAHA that is freakin AWESOME! All I have to ask is where is the Mercedes, sign??? Next sign is going to be “Mercedes, no need to play games when you’re the best” LMAO

  6. Jenilee says:

    HAHAHAHAHA that is freakin AWESOME! All I have to ask is where is the Mercedes, sign??? Next sign is going to be “Mercedes, no need to play games when you’re the best” LMAO

  7. Peter G. says:

    Since BMW stands for Bob Marley & the Wailers, I’m all about BMW, yah mon.

    As for marketing, this is brilliant. Then again, BMW has always had brilliant marketing.

    On a side note, my father-in-law’s brother owns Santa Monica BMW (I’ve never met the man, but he did send us a wedding gift). I found it amusing to see their name at the bottom of the billboard.

  8. Peter G. says:

    Since BMW stands for Bob Marley & the Wailers, I’m all about BMW, yah mon.

    As for marketing, this is brilliant. Then again, BMW has always had brilliant marketing.

    On a side note, my father-in-law’s brother owns Santa Monica BMW (I’ve never met the man, but he did send us a wedding gift). I found it amusing to see their name at the bottom of the billboard.

  9. Mandie says:

    LOVE IT! The hubby & I are both BMW drivers, thanks for sharing. :)

  10. Mandie says:

    LOVE IT! The hubby & I are both BMW drivers, thanks for sharing. :)

  11. Having heritage from Munich I’ll alway be with the Bavarian maker…maybe we can all make friends…with the environment! Both BMW and Audi are among the furthest behind in environmental innovation and commitment of all the known car manufacturers. Neither will probably survive much longer. Too bad, their designs are unparalleled!

  12. Having heritage from Munich I’ll alway be with the Bavarian maker…maybe we can all make friends…with the environment! Both BMW and Audi are among the furthest behind in environmental innovation and commitment of all the known car manufacturers. Neither will probably survive much longer. Too bad, their designs are unparalleled!

    • Lawrence Chan says:

      You’re spot on regarding the companies’ directions. I’m sure when push comes to shove, they will rebrand. That will be an interesting observation.

      I will keep an eye out and make a post about it!

    • Evan says:

      Love the billboards, but Robert, to make a comment like that, I think you’ve clearly overlooked a few things. First, most American buyers of these brands really don’t seem to care about the vehicle’s mileage (when whas the last time you saw a lexus LS or GS hybrid on the road?) For those that do, audi is the only brand selling a 4-cylinder in the near-lux segment, and both brands sell diesels. BMW also offers a hybrid (albeit an overpriced, performance-oriented one). Also, in Europe, both brands sell a host of models with smaller engines that could easily be brought here if need be, but they’re exempt from CAFE anyway. Each has a far better shot at “survival” than GM or Fiatsler

  13. John Lyons says:

    Oh, I’d take the beemer anyway! Sweet ride!

  14. John Lyons says:

    Oh, I’d take the beemer anyway! Sweet ride!

  15. amy says:

    BMW. Been there done that with an Audi. Ugh. Thats a great image!

  16. Lisa B says:

    OOO Audi is really moving up. I’ve seen some amazing models this year.

    I’m a jeep girl actually, and looking for the new convertible camaro in the spring!

  17. Lisa B says:

    OOO Audi is really moving up. I’ve seen some amazing models this year.

    I’m a jeep girl actually, and looking for the new convertible camaro in the spring!

  18. Brian Khang says:

    BMW all the way! This is funny.. I wonder if they Audi upgraded the billboard?

  19. Brian Khang says:

    BMW all the way! This is funny.. I wonder if they Audi upgraded the billboard?

  20. love this! it’s fun and engaging… and loved the thoughtfulness with orientation, color, etc. pointing out, too, that the photography itself in this shot plays a part in the one that grabs our eye. poor audi quite literally fades into the background here.

  21. love this! it’s fun and engaging… and loved the thoughtfulness with orientation, color, etc. pointing out, too, that the photography itself in this shot plays a part in the one that grabs our eye. poor audi quite literally fades into the background here.

  22. Jana says:

    I like my Saturn Vue! :)

  23. Jana says:

    I like my Saturn Vue! :)

  24. The BMW ad is nicer but I’d still rather have and Audi. They are more sophisticated.

  25. The BMW ad is nicer but I’d still rather have and Audi. They are more sophisticated.

  26. Dale says:

    I love everything about this. Way to put the smack down.

  27. Dale says:

    I love everything about this. Way to put the smack down.

  28. koozies says:

    Wow,
    So wonderful !

  29. koozies says:

    Wow,
    So wonderful !

  30. Matthew says:

    I’d have to go with the BMW, nothing beats the shark fin.

    This billboard reminds me of a billboard in Tampa. ABC Liquor bought a billboard advertisement that was directly above a competing liquor store called Total Wine and More. The ABC Liquor’s billboard read “Bait and Switch pricing is “totally” beneath us.” Talk about ruthless, haha!

  31. Matthew says:

    I’d have to go with the BMW, nothing beats the shark fin.

    This billboard reminds me of a billboard in Tampa. ABC Liquor bought a billboard advertisement that was directly above a competing liquor store called Total Wine and More. The ABC Liquor’s billboard read “Bait and Switch pricing is “totally” beneath us.” Talk about ruthless, haha!

  32. Andrew R says:

    mercedes is the best anyhow

  33. Andrew R says:

    mercedes is the best anyhow

  34. As much as I love the face-off of the billboards, I’m still an Audi fan.

  35. As much as I love the face-off of the billboards, I’m still an Audi fan.

  36. LOL, I just can’t help but to laugh at this one!

  37. LOL, I just can’t help but to laugh at this one!

  38. gotta love a company with a sense of humor

  39. gotta love a company with a sense of humor

  40. Love my BMW, only brand I’ll ever own again! (if we continue to be as lucky as we have of course :)

  41. Lol! I totally missed this post. Hillarious!

    I’m totally with Bimmers. My recently purchased his second Merc, a GLK, and he keeps putting down BMW, saying it’s second best. I’m always cringing because when my Acura lease comes up in 6 months, I’m eyeing the new BMW X3 that’s due out in April/May here in North America. My dad doesn’t know that of course. But I plan to park it right outside his garage.

  42. Lol! I totally missed this post. Hillarious!

    I’m totally with Bimmers. My recently purchased his second Merc, a GLK, and he keeps putting down BMW, saying it’s second best. I’m always cringing because when my Acura lease comes up in 6 months, I’m eyeing the new BMW X3 that’s due out in April/May here in North America. My dad doesn’t know that of course. But I plan to park it right outside his garage.

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