FOLLOWUP: GM orders YouTube to remove "tasteless" gay Camaro promo video?
Yesterday, not long after we posted a story about a gay-centered General Motors marketing video for Chevrolet's new Camaro, the video was mysteriously pulled from YouTube. As it turns out, GM itself has copped to the disappearing act, as it reportedly ordered the popular video hosting site to yank the footage.
According to a USA Today article, GM spokesman Dave Barthmuss felt that the video – which featured a pair of so-called 'go go boys in Camaro-branded underwear washing a new 2010 model – was "not appropriate and not in good taste." The footage was filmed as part of a Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen gay day promotion at a Hollywood movie theater.
Despite pulling the video, GM has reportedly launched a more concerted campaign to broaden the scope of its marketing efforts as it applies to the Camaro, with more overt efforts to target gays, bisexuals and the transgendered. It is not immediately clear what (if any) effect pulling the footage will have on the rest of the automaker's p.r. efforts.
[Sources: USA Today; Mlive]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Robert O 2:42PM (7/09/2009)
How does an ad featuring "go-go boys" in Camaro underwear appeal to lesbian and transgendered individuals?
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zamafir 6:31PM (7/09/2009)
@clicketyclack - awesome, beyond words.
Motor_Yakuza 2:42PM (7/09/2009)
Thank you GM, for your common sense.
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PJ 1:35AM (7/10/2009)
My "common sense" suggestion would be for everyone to get over themselves. If you're not gay, and don't like others being gay, don't go to "Gay Day at the Movies." There, you won't see the ad, problem solved.
300Kid 2:44PM (7/09/2009)
Let me just up and say it, since I am a gay car enthusiast (one of many).
If it had been women, or a pop star, or Paris Hilton washing a Bentley (a person with a sex tape downloadable from anywhere), that would've been just fine. 2 guys? nope, sorry, won't fly.
Before you scream and whine in response to my comment, you know it's true. If you're straight.....please just be quiet.
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9600baud 2:55PM (7/09/2009)
i dont get it... so GM makes the video, finds it offensive, then pulls it? what?
MOD and ANGRY 2:56PM (7/09/2009)
Well duh, because that's what's socially acceptable right now. But come to think of it, I can't remember the last car commercial I saw that was racy for any preferred gender expression. Pretty much every GM and Chrysler commercial is "We took your money, and went bankrupt anyway. Don't worry, we promise not to screw you anymore." The rest are either WE'RE GREEN or buy our car because it's better than everyone else's...
cdwrx 2:59PM (7/09/2009)
I was inclined to support your post until the last sentence. I'm not sure why you don't want the support of straight car enthusiasts.
BigMcLargeHuge 3:00PM (7/09/2009)
I'm not going to scream or whine about your analysis, because there wasn't any reason to disagree...
Right up until your last sentence. The vocal minority telling the majority (on autoblog or elsewhere) to shut up.
Somehow being accepted got confused with being empowered.
JohnnyG 3:05PM (7/09/2009)
I think you need to look at the main target market for the Camaro. That ad is not going to appeal to that target market at all. I know if I would have seen the video, I would have been turned off to the brand.
novanglus 3:08PM (7/09/2009)
Except that no car maker makes commercials with two bikini clad woman washing cars. And if they did, some parental or family group would be on their ass for it, rest assured, just like they were on Hardee's over the Paris Hilton ad. I don't think I've seen Jill Wagner in anything but pantsuits when shilling for Mercury.
clicketyclack 3:47PM (7/09/2009)
What's with not wanting to hear what straight people have to say? That's reverse gaycism.
I don't see what all the uproar is about. GM commercials have always been geared towards gay men and that is why you only see gay men driving GM vehicles.
Dave 4:23PM (7/09/2009)
What's a Mercury?
nrb 4:24PM (7/09/2009)
"If you're straight.....please just be quiet."
So straight people are not allowed an opinion, because of their sexual orientation? That would make you a bigger bigot than anyone else posting here.
sparrk 4:45PM (7/09/2009)
girls in bikinis washing cars ? here in Europe we have tons of such things in prime time , who the hell would get offended by girls in bikinis or some guys in underwear washing a car ? Americans need to chill.
Mike P. 6:12PM (7/09/2009)
So... did anyone else get turned on by Subaru's sumo-wrestler ads?
alfa147 7:31PM (7/09/2009)
Couldn't agree more. Usually I will tollerate double standards, people have their own opinions about homosexuality, some based on more informed information than others, but what I fail to understand is why homophobes are complaining. This wasn't a commercial broadcast, or a large billboard campaign. It was held at a niche event that catered specifically to the gay community. So if your children arn't at risk of "catching the gay" and it's not degrading the "morals" of society, why complaing
Judy Zik 12:49AM (7/10/2009)
Give me a break. Every Auto Show is full young girls in skimpy outfits. This is pathetic. I don't know about the gay market but a lot of women buy Mustangs. Study after study has shown women are involved in the decision process for almost every vehicle that is sold. I don't see anything wrong with trying to broaden their market appeal. Lord knows they could use the sales. The Camaro doesn't need to advertise to attract the car buffs. I would hate to see the Camaro limited to the same market as the Corvette. Middle aged men trying to pretend they don't need Viagra.
300Kid 11:14AM (7/10/2009)
cdwrx, BigMcLargeHuge, nrb : It's like this, if you were black and regularly faced racism & discrimination would you want some white, privileged yuppie joining your cause and complaining right along with you? How could they possibly understand? It's just annoying. They need to make change from their side. ****Nowhere did I say I didn't want the support of heteros. What I meant is the people who are *against* this ad and others like it (this is hardly the first time this has happened, just that you probably don't read gay news blogs) should keep it shut, because they don't possibly understand what it's like on the other side. And if the tables were turned, they'd be complaining about the ad's removal too.****
MOD and ANGRY 2:49PM (7/09/2009)
I'll second that... I hated this campaign from the start, but I think this move is just fanning the proverbial flammer... I'm gay, not stupid. I don't need this crap to buy a car.
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