The show must go on: GM cancels advertising on Survivor
General Motors has decided to pull its ad dollars out of the long running reality TV show Survivor. The automaker has supported Survivor since it began airing over 12 seasons ago. GM made the decision to get off the island about three months ago and claims it has nothing to do with the controversy surrounding the show's upcoming 13th season. Survivor: Cook Islands will have contestants divided by race into teams, which is obviously drawing the ire of many a social activist. A GM spokesperson, however, told Automotive News that it was difficult to integrate the company's products into a show that is set on an island. This is true, this is true – not many E85 compatible Tahoes on a deserted island.
[Source: Automotive News - sub required]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paul.inc 7:14PM (8/30/2006)
".......claims it has nothing to do with the controversy surrounding
the show's upcoming 13th season." Yeah right. There is
absolutely no reason to structure the show in such a way other than to stir up controversy. I hope others will pull their ads too.
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Matt 7:21PM (8/30/2006)
I wonder who will step up then, they all ways give a car away towards the end then the winner gets a car.Maybe dodge or ford who knows.
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rwdmtparkingonly 7:57PM (8/30/2006)
This is a perfect opportunity for Honqui to enter the American market by sponsoring Survivor. Many people doubt the performance of Chinese cars, but the individual contestants will dispel that notion by acknowledging that “I didn’t know a Honqui could run that fast.”
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Jason 8:06PM (8/30/2006)
So they're admitting it took them 13 seasons to figure out that it was hard to tie in automotive product placement with a show on an island? Isn't that saying that they're extremely stupid?
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Whydrive 8:16PM (8/30/2006)
This has nothing to do with GM and more to do with Survivor. Is an advertiser or sponsor willing to be associated with a show that touts segregation? Maybe CAIR should sponsor the show.
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Ryan 8:46PM (8/30/2006)
"5. This has nothing to do with GM and more to do with Survivor. Is an advertiser or sponsor willing to be associated with a show that touts segregation?"
-Well if it was true segregation blacks could only play with blacks, whites vs. whites, etc.
-I would have an issue, but if none of the people ****participating**** have a problem (remember they applied, they were not forced) then neither do I.
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atlkustoms 8:57PM (8/30/2006)
Sounds like this could Fords chance for a BOLD MOVE!!!!!!
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atlkustoms 8:58PM (8/30/2006)
Sounds like this could be Fords chance for a BOLD MOVE!!!!!!
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Covenant 69 11:03PM (8/30/2006)
#3: Yeah... but I don't have a sledshed to park my Honqi in....
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Ford Mustang 12:22AM (8/31/2006)
Come on, you can not tell me that they are cutting ties with Survivor because they can't figure out a way of advertising their vehicles on the show. It only makes sense, the people are on an island that has alot of dirt, rocks, and sand....the perfect setting to show off your offroad capable SUVs.
The reality of it is that they ending this because of the new season and what it's about. It's their loss because i'm sure another auto manufacturer will step up and take their place.
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Paul 3:30AM (8/31/2006)
Yeah, Toyota should step up to the plate. It'd only be fitting since the asians will show to the world that they're superior to the whities and darkies. If the asians lose, then the show must be rigged.
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digitalzombie 6:44AM (8/31/2006)
11# Paul does not represent the asian community. Please ignore his BS.
Anyway, I think it's good that GM pulls back. GM is on a roll right now with new good model and they are trying to climb their asses off of the hole they've digged. They've stop their declining sales and stuff and now they need to stop doing stupid stuff and concentrate on building good cars.
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Richard Warren 7:46AM (8/31/2006)
#11 gives the best reason that this season GM should walk awy from it. Thanks for proving their decision was a good one. Give a polite excuse and walk away.
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KT 11:10AM (8/31/2006)
Survivor has been on the air for 12 SEASONS?
How the heck has it "survived" that long is a better question. That many ppl still watch this show?
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Richard Warren 12:52PM (8/31/2006)
#14 great comment! Reality? Come on!
Real reality, they dump you off, come back in a year (if they can remember where they left you) no food, no camera guys, no help if you need it, if you're still alive you win the right to continue living.
How about a real reality show, you drive through terrible traffic everyday to go to a boring job, your kids are driving you crazy, the wife/husband is having an affair. Your interest only home loan comes due, you have no money, your credit cards are maxed out, you become very ill, the car company repo's your car, the IRS is after you for taxes. Your oldest son is in Iraq.
Even better, all that was caused by Hurricane Katrina and you're living in a trailer with possible toxins.
Now there is a reality show you could get your teeth into!
The current "reality shows" are about as real as, TV shows!
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mediapusher 8:06AM (9/08/2006)
It never ceases to amaze me whenever some entity of entertainment plays the controversy card the media always falls for it, and people fall for it. Duh! They do it to get attention, otherwise nobody would pay attention. This type of stuff has made Madonna very rich (the richest in the music industry), as she has incorporated controversy and shock all throughout her career.
So the tv show Survivor is going to play the race card. Why is that a surprise?
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