Chrysler Film Project Named Five Lucky Finalists

The Chrysler Film Project is a film-based competition that focuses on the new emerging filmmakers in the U.S. by developing an original short film that features Chrysler branded vehicles along with Chrysler auto parts. Among the hundreds of entries, the judges narrowed down the selection and chose the five finalists that will continue their ultimate goal for a one million dollar movie production deal courtesy of Chrysler Motors and Silverwood Films.

David Rooney, Chrysler Brand Marketing and Communications Director, said, "At Chrysler, we are committed to inspiration and we are pleased at this opportunity to bring a new talent to a wider audience. The Chrysler Film Project illustrates how mainstream brands can directly impact the arts and bring inspiration to life.”

"We admire the Chrysler brand and its continued efforts to provide unique platforms for independent filmmakers to get their work recognized on the big screen. This is a great opportunity for all parties - the Chrysler brand, Silverwood Films and the winning filmmaker - to have a voice in the film industry and showcase out- of-the-box thinking," says Lynette Howell producer of Silverwood Films.

The Five finalists will now enter the second stage of the competition where they will direct and edit a three- to five-minute short film that will feature some of Chrysler's newest vehicles, which include the 2007 Chrysler Aspen and Chrysler Sebring. The film entries will be judged according to the originality of the film, level of interest of the story, and the overall quality of the film. The overall winner of the Chrysler Film Project will soon be announced this September.

Derek Cianfrance is one of the five finalists. His entry is titled ‘Blue Valentine’. The film ‘We Neighbors’ was created by Paul Fitzgerald. Jonathan Jardine was behind the film ‘Touch’ while Pamela Smith did the work on the film ‘Love On Spec’. As per the film entry ‘Dirty Girl’, it was Abe Sylvia who did the project.

"We're pleased that the quality and level of filmmaking is so extraordinary. The fact that the screenplays of these five nominees have yet to be made into films underscores the significant challenge that talented emerging filmmakers have in making their first feature films. Chrysler and Silverwood are providing a real and significant new opportunity that previously hadn't existed for these five directors," said Michelle Byrd, Executive Director of Independent Feature Project (IFP).

By Sarah McBride.

DaimlerChrysler Selling Chrysler AG at a Bargain Price

Investors that are planning to purchase Chrysler are advised to become a marketing savvy and to prepare $7 billion as payment. It is true that the Chrysler deal looks better on paper due to the bargain that the buyer is getting.

The price tag of the Chrysler Group range from $5 billion to $7 billion which is rather far from the $36 billion valuation of the original merger---and just like what most analysts observed with the present price that DCX is selling Chrysler it is more of trying to pay its buyer so that it can once and for all get rid of its loss-making American arm without considering making a profit.

The new owner would also have to market its way out of one of the great automaker inventory gluts of all time comprising of surplus of steel that pushed Chrysler to the brink last year. Plus there are also other issues that new buyer would have to deal with like branding and positioning issues.

Chrysler---American arm of Daimler and manufacturer of top-of-the-line Jeep rims--- has not been able to clearly define and differentiate its brand trio something that experts question at last week’s New York Auto Show. They said that Chrysler has failed to do this. Vic Doolan, non-executive chairman of consultant Courland Automotive Practice said that the carmaker was overlapping Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep models that instead of them competing with other brands ended up competing with each other instead. Doolan also recommends for the automaker to build its global presence to reach fats-growing emerging markets such as China.

John Morel, director-product and market planning at American Suzuki Motors Corp. has also given Chrysler some advice. He said that before spending a great deal on marketing Chrysler needs to differentiate its brands since the company has too many similar products such as Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen.

Mr. Morel has observed that Chrysler has stretched its Jeep brand too far saying that the Commander is already hurting the sales of the Grand Cherokee while the Jeep Compass is competing with the Dodge Caliber which is not good.

Auto consultant Gordon Wangers has also given his own observation saying that Jeep’s crown jewel, the Grand Cherokee is being ignored by Chrysler. He also pointed out that the Dodge Ram needs also to be redone so it can effectively compete again as a key player in the full-size-pickup segment. The last time that the model has gotten a makeover was in the year 2001. And at present it is considered to be the oldest in Detroit.

Last week at DaimlerChrysler’s annual meeting, Chairman Dieter Zetsche has confirmed the company’s worst-kept secret: the automaker is in discussion with undisclosed parties to sell Chrysler.

From the time that Chairman Zetsche has announced that Chrysler is for sale reports on its possible buyers have been flooding the net and just recently the number of contenders have lowered down to two New York financial outfits namely the Blackstone Group and the private-equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, and the Canadian auto supplier Magna International Corporation. And just last week Kirk Kerkorian has also offered a $4.5 billion bid for Chrysler.

By Lisa Ziegler.