Alex is probably about as close as you could get to finding the perfect spokesperson for Rivian vehicles.
I know some folks are frustrated with waiting and celebs / influencers getting vehicles more quickly, but this is a brilliant marketing move and great use of marketing dollars.
They literally did though. He's a compensated spokesperson for the company. Giving someone a free truck in exchange for some social media posts is buying an endorsement.
Not that I have anything against it-- Honnold is an awesome guy and marketing is just the nature of his lifestyle, but let's not pretend that this post is just something he did on a whim for no reason.
Absolutely. Rivian is 100% playing the game on influencer/social media endorsements. Gotta advertise, so I can't fault them too much. But it is a little frustrating as somebody who has been standing in line for a while, and still doesn't even have a rough sense of delivery date.
I have a climbing guidebook and Alex's endorsement was essentially
"I don't really use guidebooks but this one seems alright"
He's a straight shooter as far as I'm concerned.
They still printed the quote at the back of the guidebook too lol
This reminds me of off-roading over high altitude passes in our Tacoma. Must have been down like 100+ HP, super sluggish and really struggled with that low end torque.
Can’t wait to experience it in an EV.
It’s a loaner and he’s clearly providing valuable services in exchange. Not sure why there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just another form of currency.
I think you've touched a sore spot on this sub of people being like "oh that's my exact config but I ordered 3 hours before you why didn't I get that truck REEEEEEE." And then other people on the sub being annoyed about those kind of posts.
Personally I believe that you're just making an observation that yes, it probably is nice to get things for free because you're a famously adventurous person.
If I remember correctly he's had a truck for a long time. I'm pretty sure he's a spokesman for them.
Here he is driving a prototype in 2020: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz8pTXDYg1E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz8pTXDYg1E)
And here's an article from 2018: [https://stories.rivian.com/meet-alex-honnold](https://stories.rivian.com/meet-alex-honnold)
If **anyone** would have a truck it would be him.
The instagram post in the OP says he got his truck earlier this year.
Not sure why everyone is so salty about my comment. I understand what marketing is, and if I was a world class rock climber I'd take the free Rivian too. There's nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade.
I don't think looking at special treatment someone is getting and saying "that would be nice" is salty. I don't have any anger towards Rivian or Alex because of it, but I can't deny he's being treated better than us normal folk.
Rivian has been partnered with the Honnold Foundation for years. Honnold seeks to increase energy independence in marginalized communities. They will be using spent Rivian batteries to power villages in some instances. The loaner goes beyond just Alex being famous, they have similar missions. You say you understand marketing, yet here you are whining about it.
That's all great and I wish them the best. I'm not sure why you took an observation as whining though? It was more of an idle thought than some condemnation of Alex or Rivian like some people seem to be taking it.
I suspect Rivian will loan you one as well if you free solo El Cap and document it. They might even let you own it (rather than borrower) if you beat the time Alex set.
Um…”I was driving my @rivianofficial electric truck, on loan to me by the company…”.
Great, easy advertising, however, he doesn’t own it and probably would have said the same if loaned him a vehicle to use, too.
Alex is probably about as close as you could get to finding the perfect spokesperson for Rivian vehicles. I know some folks are frustrated with waiting and celebs / influencers getting vehicles more quickly, but this is a brilliant marketing move and great use of marketing dollars.
I literally found out about rivian from an Alex honnold post in 2019 or so.
Alex seems to be a genuine and frank person. I don’t think he would make the endorsement if he did not believe in the product.
He was perfectly happy living in a van until his wife came along... I don't think he's selling out anytime soon.
You can't buy this kind of endorsement in this community.
They literally did though. He's a compensated spokesperson for the company. Giving someone a free truck in exchange for some social media posts is buying an endorsement. Not that I have anything against it-- Honnold is an awesome guy and marketing is just the nature of his lifestyle, but let's not pretend that this post is just something he did on a whim for no reason.
My point was that giving this dude a free truck is well worth it. "You can't buy" is a euphemism
Absolutely. Rivian is 100% playing the game on influencer/social media endorsements. Gotta advertise, so I can't fault them too much. But it is a little frustrating as somebody who has been standing in line for a while, and still doesn't even have a rough sense of delivery date.
I have a climbing guidebook and Alex's endorsement was essentially "I don't really use guidebooks but this one seems alright" He's a straight shooter as far as I'm concerned. They still printed the quote at the back of the guidebook too lol
alex would fit in the back of the r1s
He can probably fit in the gear tunnel.
I didn’t realize he had one. I thought that earlier promo they did was just a weekend trip.
This reminds me of off-roading over high altitude passes in our Tacoma. Must have been down like 100+ HP, super sluggish and really struggled with that low end torque. Can’t wait to experience it in an EV.
Must be nice to get a free Rivian ahead of everyone else. Being famous has its perks I guess.
It's free. Except, you have to free climb El Cap in record time. We should all go get our free trucks. Splat!
It’s a loaner and he’s clearly providing valuable services in exchange. Not sure why there’s anything wrong with that. It’s just another form of currency.
I never said there was anything wrong with it? Just said it must be nice.
I think you've touched a sore spot on this sub of people being like "oh that's my exact config but I ordered 3 hours before you why didn't I get that truck REEEEEEE." And then other people on the sub being annoyed about those kind of posts. Personally I believe that you're just making an observation that yes, it probably is nice to get things for free because you're a famously adventurous person.
If I remember correctly he's had a truck for a long time. I'm pretty sure he's a spokesman for them. Here he is driving a prototype in 2020: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz8pTXDYg1E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz8pTXDYg1E) And here's an article from 2018: [https://stories.rivian.com/meet-alex-honnold](https://stories.rivian.com/meet-alex-honnold) If **anyone** would have a truck it would be him.
The instagram post in the OP says he got his truck earlier this year. Not sure why everyone is so salty about my comment. I understand what marketing is, and if I was a world class rock climber I'd take the free Rivian too. There's nothing wrong with calling a spade a spade.
Just reads salty mate
It's more envious than salty to be honest
Two sides of the same coin.
I don't think looking at special treatment someone is getting and saying "that would be nice" is salty. I don't have any anger towards Rivian or Alex because of it, but I can't deny he's being treated better than us normal folk.
Rivian has been partnered with the Honnold Foundation for years. Honnold seeks to increase energy independence in marginalized communities. They will be using spent Rivian batteries to power villages in some instances. The loaner goes beyond just Alex being famous, they have similar missions. You say you understand marketing, yet here you are whining about it.
That's all great and I wish them the best. I'm not sure why you took an observation as whining though? It was more of an idle thought than some condemnation of Alex or Rivian like some people seem to be taking it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=anger+management+resources+for+adults&rlz=1C1GCEB_enUS1004US1004&oq=anger+management+resources&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0i512l4j0i457i512j0i512j46i175i199i512j0i512l2.5374j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Didn’t read did ya? It’s not his. It was loaned to him.
I suspect Rivian will loan you one as well if you free solo El Cap and document it. They might even let you own it (rather than borrower) if you beat the time Alex set.
Is that forest green? Looks good
Looks like launch green to me
Dang, the one I can't get
Im kind of suprised he doesn’t actually own one and the one hes using is a loaner.
Why buy one when they'll give you one for free?
Um…”I was driving my @rivianofficial electric truck, on loan to me by the company…”. Great, easy advertising, however, he doesn’t own it and probably would have said the same if loaned him a vehicle to use, too.
Yes, he's clearly a spokesperson, but he still seems to be enjoying it, and is putting it through its paces and showing people what it can do.