No suicidal robots this year: GM may not run ads during Super Bowl
GM is considering a hiatus from in-game advertising during the next Super Bowl. Mark LaNeve, GM's VP of vehicle sales, service, and marketing, said that the timing simply wouldn't be right. With no new cars or launches, there would be no reason to spend the $2.6+ million necessary for thirty seconds of air time during the big game.
Last year GM ran one 30-second spot and two 60-second spots. One of the 60-second commercials promoted GM's 100,000 mile warranty featuring a robot that, in what turned out to be a dream sequence, committed suicide. It was actually one of four suicide-themed commercials that came out around that time, all of which generated a fair bit of publicity and discussion about advertising standards. Under pressure from a variety of organizations, GM altered the ad's finale (see altered version here).
LaNeve didn't completely rule out any advertising during this year's Super Bowl, saying "We might end up there, but we haven't committed we'll be there." Cadillac, though, will still sponsor the post-game show and MVP award.
[Source: Auto News, sub req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 7:42PM (10/08/2007)
umm, shouldn't the Pontiac G8 be available about that time? GM needs to treat it right if they want to do a little better than the last aussie import (GTO).
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not worth it 8:16PM (10/08/2007)
it's not worth it. spend the money elsewhere. if you look at the last couple years, companies have either been blasted for being inappropriate or being lame- it's way too risky to expect to buck that trend and hit a winner. you'll reach the same audience by spreading that money around at other times. i predict this intersection of the politically correct fad post-nipplegate with the expectation for amazing super bowl ads will result in a downward trend in cost for the spots in the foreseeable future years...
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Level 8:19PM (10/08/2007)
Good to see GM is thinking smarter at ways to cut cost down....
as far as the Ad with the robot, good god we live in a country full of pansies....
reminds me of the time GM pulled the vette Ad With Dream Sequence of Boy Driving....
::rolleyes::
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whofan 8:38PM (10/08/2007)
Leave the Super Bowl for the beer comercials.
GM can sponcor a worth while cause with that kind of money. Good move for GM.
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tankd0g 9:06PM (10/08/2007)
Cheaper to make another transformers movie. This time though, make sure the coolest car in it isn't a Saleen Mustang!
Rob 9:48PM (10/09/2007)
If that commercial offended you, you should kill yourself.
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