Japanese automaker Nissan created the Rogue to be a fuel-friendly sibling of the company's Murano SUV crossover. Since the vehicle's debut in October of 2007, the entry-level SUV has caught the attention of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for excellence in safety by consistently garnering 4 to 5-star reviews and vehicle safety awards in numerous categories. With a facelift for 2017, Nissan marketing executives are preparing for an out-of-this world ad campaign linking the vehicle to the latest Stars Wars movie, Rogue One: A Stars Wars Story, which debuts in December of this year.
So, how did the automotive giant create the segue from being a greener version of Nissan's most popular family vehicle to doing battle with elephant walkers and U-wing starfighter aircraft? According the auto manufacturer's vice president of marketing , "Once they announced the name of the movie it was an easy call." Jeremy Tucker claims, "It's a natural synergy." Since Tucker had served as vice president for strategic marketing with Disney Consumer Products at the time the Star Wars movie franchise was purchased, many in the industry felt that Tucker had something up his sleeve when he joined Nissan.
In response to claims that Nissan named the Rogue after the upcoming movie title, the manufacturer insists it was strictly a coincidence, but one they had to take full advantage of right away. With 30-second ad spots targeted for Monday Night Football, the spots will focus on the vehicle's latest technology including:
- Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Under-Floor Cargo Area Lithium Battery
- Twin Projector Headlights with High Intensity Discharge
- Easy to See LED Taillights
- Standard 2.0 Liter 4-Cylinder Gasoline Engine
- Optional Hybrid Engine with Xtronic CVT
With an aggressive exterior redesign, the 2017 Nissan Rogue makes a striking first impression that is fit for any storm trooper. In fact, the new Rogue takes aerodynamics to a new dimension with its Active Grille Shutters that reduce the drag by reducing air entering into the engine compartment.
You can see the Rogue One Star Wars Limited Edition in Nissan showrooms starting this fall. Along with a targeted media, social and online campaign, the trimmed down SUV will have special badging for limited edition.
