Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Snip-Snip: GM slashing $800M from marketing budget (yes, even Transformers)]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/snip-snip-gm-slashing-800m-from-marketing-budget-yes-even-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/snip-snip-gm-slashing-800m-from-marketing-budget-yes-even-tr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/27/snip-snip-gm-slashing-800m-from-marketing-budget-yes-even-tr/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the Transformers cars from GM

When you're forced into a life-and-death situation like General Motors, a lot of tough calls have to be made - yet some are more obvious than others. In this case, The General has made it clear that it plans to slash its North American marketing spending - by some $800 million dollars.

That's an extra $200M on top of the $600M that already GM vowed it would cut by 2010 in a disclosure it made back in December. And it isn't just things like SuperBowl commercials, and print ads - vehicle incentives will also be impacted, something that will doubtlessly affect the already tough sledding that dealers are experiencing.

Another example: Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. Despite early efforts to tie Chevrolet to the Shia LaBeouf/Megan Fox Paramount sequel with efforts like the Corvette Centennial Concept and "Jolt" Volt unveiling at the Chicago Auto Show, trade publication Advertising Age is reporting that GM will not spend much money to co-promote the movie.

For the initial 2007 Transformers movie, GM is said to have spent "tens of millions" of dollars in advertising-related initiatives, but not only can the financially-strapped automaker not afford to do so, it realizes it may also not be a good idea in light of the taxpayer bailout. AdAge is quoting one insider as saying:
"You're not going to see any TV media that I know of. Even though you can make a case for it from a marketing standpoint, it's the kind of thing that might get you roundly criticized in light of today's climate. It's viewed as too risky, sort of like Citibank's deal with the Mets. GM can't afford to do that.
The message is clear: Bumblebee, Sideswipe, Jolt and Mudflap... you're on your own.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: GM Transformers cars LIVE


[Sources: Automotive News; Advertising Age]

Snip-Snip: GM slashing $800M from marketing budget (yes, even Transformers) originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingautobotBumblebeeCamarodecepticonsgeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMmarketingMegan FoxMeganFoxMudflapparamountParamount picturesParamountPicturesShia labeoufShiaLabeoufSideswipeThe GeneralTheGeneralFri, 27 Feb 2009 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Transformers 2 to feature Devastator - 1 Decepticon made of 5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/transformers-2-to-feature-devastator-1-decepticon-made-of-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/transformers-2-to-feature-devastator-1-decepticon-made-of-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/12/transformers-2-to-feature-devastator-1-decepticon-made-of-5/#commentsFiled under: ,



Devastator, a massive Decepticon made out of five, or six, or seven Constructicons, depending on which source you cite, will be in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. In the oddest case of reasoning we can imagine, he's said to have "massive upper body strength, like a gorilla." Devastator is a simpleton with one mission: heavy metal whoopass. But he's pretty easy to trip up since he's not so smart, which could be what the gorilla comment is about. Nevertheless, when upright, he's pretty good at what he does: his signature line is "Nothing defeats the Devastator. Nothing!" For the Autobots and humans, that'll probably mean a beating or two before they save the day. For us, that means yee-haw!

[Source: TFW2005 via I Watch Stuff]

Transformers 2 to feature Devastator - 1 Decepticon made of 5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>decepticondecepticonsdevastatormoviemoviestransformerstransformers 2Transformers2Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Transformers sequel roundup: Buell-based fembot, SR-71 and Audi R8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/transformers-sequel-roundup-buell-based-fembot-sr-71-and-audi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/transformers-sequel-roundup-buell-based-fembot-sr-71-and-audi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/12/transformers-sequel-roundup-buell-based-fembot-sr-71-and-audi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



If leaked documentation, which you should avoid if you don't want to read any plot spoilers, regarding the upcoming Transformers sequel is accurate, it appears that Mr. Bay may be bringing a motorcycle-based female robot to the big screen. We've heard that the character known as Arcee was considered for the initial film but was discarded so as not to confuse the audience with multiple gendered robots. If the rendering seen above is any indication, though, we'd imagine that Arcee's pinky-purple coloring would get that point across right away. There are two female riders listed on a leaked Call Sheet for the upcoming movie, and it appears that they are to be riding the oddly-colored Buell in the film.

Also revealed in the leak is information that leads us to believe that a certain Decepticon may make an appearance as an SR-71, along with what could either be the shapely Audi R8 or the mystery car we showed you yesterday. If the German supercar did show up, it would end the all-GM lovefest and be rather interesting to see morph on-screen, as well. Consider our interest piqued, as if we already weren't.

[Source: Comic Book Movie]

Transformers sequel roundup: Buell-based fembot, SR-71 and Audi R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arceeaudi r8AudiR8buelldecepticondecepticonssr-71transformerstransformers 2transformers sequelTransformers2TransformersSequelThu, 12 Jun 2008 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Transformers 2 is so on for June 2009, Michael Bay countdown clock confirms]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/transformers-2-is-so-on-for-june-2009-michael-bay-countdown-clo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/transformers-2-is-so-on-for-june-2009-michael-bay-countdown-clo/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/12/transformers-2-is-so-on-for-june-2009-michael-bay-countdown-clo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



OK, we admit it. We went a little bit overboard in the six months (maybe a year) leading up the Transformers movie. It's hard for us not to love a movie that includes a Mustang vs. Camaro battle scene and a seriously bad-ass Optimus Prime. If you were with (the few of -Ed.) us panging in anticipation of the first Transformers movie, you'll appreciate the fact that Michael Bay already has a countdown to the second installment of what will likely be a long-running movie franchise.

According to Mr. Bay's countdown to Transformers 2, the date to remember is June 26, 2009. That's about 470 days from now, which will give us plenty of time to start stalking begging Bay to throw in a Camaro vs. Mustang vs. Challenger battle to the death. It does scare us that the movie arrives closer to the (supposed) launch of the Chevy Volt. We're really excited about the car, but if one of the Autobots has to plug in the middle of a fight scene, we'll be pissed.

[Source: Michael Bay via Winding Road]

Transformers 2 is so on for June 2009, Michael Bay countdown clock confirms originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AutobotsCamaro vs. MustangCamaroVs.MustangDecepticonsMichael BayMichaelBayTransformers 2Transformers2Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:56:00 EST