Toyota Motor Corporation will soon be waving goodbye to the agency world with the announcement that it will keep all of its advertising efforts in-house.
The automaker will split marketing duties between two internal entities, one that will handle domestic (Japanese) efforts and the other that will take on global initiatives. The agency disconnect basically stems from Toyota wanting a more direct relationship with customers and according to the release, the ability “to carry out marketing activities that also bear in mind ways to contribute to TMC’s product development and sales innovation by promptly and accurately gauging the needs of customers and then providing prompt feedback to TMC.”
Toyota’s move is undoubtedly a major blow to its agency Saatchi & Saatchi LA, who just a few months back launched a “pretty” spot for Prius. While the automaker’s two marketing entities won’t commence operations until January 1, 2010, who knows what kind of precedent this sets in the meantime for big-spending brands.