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Weekly Recap: Matthew McConaughey's star shines brightly for Lincoln

The commercials were a little strange at first, but the ensuing spoofs were hilarious. And all jokes aside, Matthew McConaughey has made a difference for Lincoln. Advertisements starring the Oscar winner launched in September, and the results have been impressive. The number of customers clicking on Lincoln.com to check out the MKC – the crossover McConaughey pitched – has tripled since the ads began airing, a spokesman told Autoblog. They also generated 4.4 million views on YouTube and spawned parodies by Ellen DeGeneres, Conan O'Brien, South Park and Jim Carrey on Saturday Night Live, which racked up another 15 million views. Most importantly, Lincoln's sales have increased 15 percent through November, helped significantly by the strong launch of the MKC. Without the addition of the MKC, Lincoln's sales would have been essentially flat last year. The MKC has received solid reviews from consumers and the press, though it has had several recalls. "The overwhelming response to the MKC campaign sparked truly great awareness for Lincoln," Andrew Frick, Lincoln group marketing manager, said in a statement. Now Lincoln has launched another round of spots, which kicked off New Year's Day during college football bowl games. This time, McConaughey is hawking the MKZ sedan and its hybrid sibling. The spots, called Diner and Balance, use the same artistic formula as the earlier ads, with McConaughey intoning seriously about the cars in dramatic settings. They were shot over two days in Los Angeles and were directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, a Danish filmmaker who directed the 2011 move, Drive. The ads continue Lincoln's multiyear deal with McConaughey, who has said he's been long been interested in the brand. He starred in the 2011 thriller, The Lincoln Lawyer, as a defense attorney who worked out of a Town Car, though that was before his deal with Lincoln. In one of the earlier ads, McConaughey claims: "I've been driving a Lincoln since long before anybody paid me to drive one. I didn't do it to be cool. I didn't to it to make a statement. I just liked it." That sentiment appears to have worked for the MKC's launch, and with this new advertising blitz, Lincoln hopes it carries over to the MKZ. Other News And Notes Infiniti Q30 spied in winter testing Infiniti is continuing development work on the Q30 small crossover, and we've recently captured it during winter testing.

Lincoln says MKZ supply crisis over

After an excessive number of recalls on the 2013 Escape and Fusion, we can't really fault Ford for being a little extra cautious with the launch of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ. Last month, we reported that dealer supply of the car was extremely limited due to more attention being paid to quality checks of cars rolling off the assembly line, which led to a 73-percent drop in MKZ sales from last year on top of a 32-year low in monthly sales for Lincoln in January.
The reason for the delay was that the sedans were being shipped from the Hermosillo, Mexico assembly plant to be inspected even closer at Ford's Flat Rock, Michigan plant before they were able to head to dealers. Things seem to be straightening out for Lincoln and the MKZ's production now, as Automotive News is reporting that supply should be up to a "normal level" by the end of this month.

Matthew McConaughey returns in new Lincoln MKX ads

Matthew McConaughey is getting back behind the wheel of a Lincoln for a set of cool new ads for the MKX. Unlike his oft-parodied spots for the MKC, the latest ones eschew the easy-going actor's semi-philosophical musings in place of some smooth jazz, a mysterious story, and shots of the luxury crossover on the road. Separately, the three commercials are titled Welcome, Arrival, and Winning Hand, and they combine to tell a story of McConaughey getting ready for a game of poker. Of course, the MKX is meant to be the real star, and the spots show off its high-end tech, including a 360-degree camera, Revel Audio system, and hands-free parking. Keep an eye out for a cameo from a classic Lincoln in one of the ads. For really curious viewers, the automaker is also extending the story to its homepage to explain more about the people McConaughey is meeting. In addition to giving McConaughey and the MKX starring roles, there's A-list talent behind the camera too. Replacing Nicolas Winding Refn from the MKC spots for these is Gus Van Sant, best known for directing Good Will Hunting and Milk, plus recent BMW i8 videos. The new ads make their broadcast debut during college football games on Saturday, September 12 on ABC and re-air during NFL games on the 13th on CBS and Fox. However, you can get an early peek by watching the combined short film above. Let us know in Comments how you think they compare to McConaughey's MKC spots. Collaboration Between McConaughey and Lincoln Evolves in Spots for All-New Lincoln MKX Quiet Luxury, an understated yet compelling experience brought to life by the all-new Lincoln MKX, underpins a new series of television advertisements featuring Matthew McConaughey. All-new Lincoln MKX, representing the latest chapter for the brand, featured in new television advertisements with Matthew McConaughey Acclaimed director Gus Van Sant brings distinct cinematic style to these Lincoln MKX ads, which introduce new characters and storylines. The new spots debut during key college football matchups on Saturday, Sept. 12, on ABC. They can be seen again during NFL games on Sunday, Sept. 13, on CBS and FOX. "What appeals to me about this new series of ads is that while the overall Lincoln message remains consistent, the way it is delivered continues to evolve," said Matthew McConaughey.