COMMANDO® COMMUNICATIONS

While the Observation Post usually addresses branding issues on a national scale, this installment focuses on a local phenomenon that's consistent across the country--the lack of branding in car dealership advertising... From coast to coast, the Automotive sections in daily newspapers are filled with full-page ads visually screaming for attention with giant headlines, prices, starburst violators and goofy cartoon mascots... The only rationale for these garish graphics is, perhaps, to achieve the design equivalent of the banners and balloons decorating dealer lots and showrooms.