Edmunds.com Reports on Academy Award Ad Effectiveness: Hyundai and Audi Traffic Soaring After Broadcast

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, has noted a significant boost in site traffic for Hyundai and Audi since the automakers’ advertising ran during the broadcast of the Academy Awards.

Since the broadcast, Hyundai pages have received 27 percent more visitors compared with the comparable period during the previous week, while Audi pages have received 26 percent more visitors.

“This is proof that when you have a powerful message, television advertising still works,” observed Edmunds.com CEO Jeremy Anwyl.

Hyundai chose to advertise its Assurance Plus program on the Oscars, reportedly in order to reach a more upscale audience. Visitor behavior on Edmunds.com suggests that this decision was a success, since it earned Hyundai a greater share of traffic on the automotive Web site known for attracting a particularly affluent and well-educated audience. Featured in the ads was the Hyundai Genesis; Edmunds.com site traffic to Genesis pages has since risen a remarkable 86 percent.

“By tracking consumer behavior on our site, we can see that the company’s advertising message is clearly resonating with consumers who hadn’t previously been considering a Hyundai,” commented Edmunds.com Senior Traffic Analyst Ray Sibulkin. “The company’s Assurance Plus program provides its buyers peace of mind during an uncertain economy, and that is proving to be one of the auto industry’s only truly motivating messages right now.”

The 2009 Audi Q5 was the subject of Audi's advertising message, and the striking crossover seems to have captured the interest of many. Edmunds’ Inside Line Executive Editor Michael Jordan wrote, “Audi stands alone in its ability to combine adventurous style with lasting beauty.” The all-new vehicle arrived at dealerships earlier this month and is expected to play a significant role in the company’s future.

About Edmunds Inc. (http://www.edmunds.com/help/about/index.html)

Edmunds Inc. publishes four Web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive consumer information, launched in 1995 as the first automotive information Web site. Its most popular feature, the Edmunds.com True Market Value®, is relied upon by millions of people seeking current transaction prices for new and used vehicles. Edmunds.com was named "Best Car Research Site" by Forbes ASAP, has been selected by consumers as the "Most Useful Web Site" according to every J.D. Power and Associates New Autoshopper.com Study(SM), was ranked first in the Survey of Car-Shopping Web Sites by The Wall Street Journal and was rated "#1" in Keynote's study of third-party automotive Web sites. Inside Line launched in 2005 and is the most-read automotive enthusiast Web site. CarSpace launched in 2006 and is an automotive social networking Web site and home to the oldest and most established automotive community. AutoObserver.com launched in 2008 and provides insightful automotive industry commentary and analysis. Edmunds Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and maintains a satellite office in suburban Detroit.