Ok, so the Oscars and the Grammy Awards have been doled out for the year… what’s next on the Awards docket you ask?

Why it’s the 2010 Nielsen Automotive Advertising Awards of course. The awards, which will be handed out this Tuesday, March 31st at at the opening of the 2010 New York Auto Show, are broken down into three (3) categories.

Best Sales Event Ad (finalists):

• Toyota – Toyotathon ‘Musical Chairs’
• Volkswagen – ‘Sign Then Drive Event’
• Ford/Lincoln/Mercury – ‘Recycle Your Ride’

Best Green Ad (finalists):

• Ford – Drive One ‘Christopher Leaves’
• Toyota – ‘Portfolio Chase’
• Volkswagen – ‘Clean Diesel’

Automotive Ad of the Year (finalists):

• Cadillac CTS – ‘Kate Walsh’
• Kia Soul – ‘Hamsters’
• Chevrolet Silverado – ‘Howie Long Truckers Truck’

The finalists are based on data collected from over two million people who’ve responded to the series of ads on TV. Basically if an ad resonated with someone, it got a vote. Any ad that debuted during 2009 is eligible for a 2010 award.

Here are the three finalists for Automotive Ad of the Year followed by some of my thoughts on the finalists…

My take… Eh. As in eh, not blown away by any of these to be honest with you. Yes, it was a tough year for the auto industry but… if I were voting, I may have abstained.

As for my favorite auto spot?

Well, I’m not sure if this spot below meets the criteria of having debuted in 2009 but, for my money, this ad is spot on and the music is the perfect complement to what you see on screen…

Stream Companies is an award-winning advertising agency located right outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Give us a call at (888) 449-7443 or email us… TODAY. We can AND will have a direct and positive impact on your bottom line.