detroitmediaguy

10 Wishes ...

2009-12-15T11:22:00.006-05:00

Tis' the Season ...

On DMGs wishlist:

10. GM finds it's CEO and gets it's Mojo on ...

9. Sergio Marchione's heart grows three sizes too big ... he hears all those whos- down-in-whoville ... who don't have jobs... and starts livin' up to his creed about "commitment to build an enterprise of men and women of virtue."

8. All Chrysler's new agencies see the need to staff in Detroit. A virtuous commitment.

7. All our colleagues and pals at the former-BBDO/PHD find jobs quickly! ... because they never should have lost their jobs in the first place ... and (their NY management notwithstanding) clearly represent an enterprise of men and women of virtue.

6. Ford puts the pedal down and roars past it's foreign competition on a steady sales climb.

5. Alan Mulally never leaves town.

4. Detroit punts the loser image ... and the MO gets back into MOtown! (and I ain't talkin' about the Lions here ... although that would be nice too!)

I think there's a big idea somewhere in here for AdCraft ... more on that later ...

3. We start reading about billion dollar profits ...and not losses ... for the Detroit 3.

2. George Parker and Julie Roehm square off in one grand battle of the marketing mega-egos! Hosted on FOX Business Reports! (This blog can't entirely be about sincerity and serious matters!)

And the number one thing on DMG's wishlist ...

1. In spite of whatever personal hurdles you have had to overcome ... or may yet be facing ... that you have a Joyful Holiday with those that you love ... and the prospects of a much, much brighter New Year!

Meanwhile ... back at GM ...

2009-12-10T09:01:00.008-05:00

Brent Dewar, boss of Chevrolet, has announced his retirement ... although he will hang on to help transition his replacement until April 1, 2010.

Who's the fool? ... somehow don't think it's Dewar.

But ... maybe even more intriguing to me is this ...

Word is now out on street that the newly appointed chief of Buick-GMC, Mike Richards was "let go", (or quit) just a nanno-second after having been hired ...

Posted at Autoextremist.com late yesterday...

"As for Michael Richards, the guy who was brought in to run the Buick-GMC division? He was let go after eight days. The "buzz" in the business bordered on the incredulous that he was even considered for the position in the first place, let alone hired. Which also makes me - and everyone else - wonder if anyone really knows what the hell they're doing down there. A giant bowl of Not Good, as we like to say. - PMD"

All this drama in the "D" might make for good replacement TV for newly cancelled Daytime soap shows over at the Networks.

wtf.

More shakeup at GM. Chevy chief Dewar out. - Businessweek.com

Chevy chief Dewar replaced by James Campbell, will leave GM
Buick, GMC boss Richards quits after 8 days, Bloomberg reports - Automotive News.com

What next?

2009-12-09T08:48:00.007-05:00

Up at BBDO/PHD addresses in Auburn Hills ...

All that remains of 4 decades of Chrysler Ad Agency presence in Detroit has been reduced to rubble ...

... for the moment.

Can only hope that Fallon, The Richards Group, and Universal McCann see fit to staff a Detroit presence to service what will arguably be one of their biggest accounts. Certainly their single biggest challenge ...

UPDATE: 12-9-09 Chrysler Taps Meredith for Customer Relationship Management - AdAge (guess that's what was "next" ... seems pretty ominous that Organic, Chryslers digital agency - and an Omnicom holding - will be the last piece to fall ...)

UPDATE: 12-9-09 Chrysler Confirms Universal McCann Hire - Mediaweek.com

Chrysler suddenly trying hard to make me love 'em ... "The client said that with UM, media buying and planning would be primarily run out of Detroit, with the support of offices in New York and San Francisco. The scope of work covers traditional and digital media. In addition to buying and planning, UM will also be tasked with supporting Chrysler's retail marketing initiatives."

UPDATE: 12-10-09 Chrysler Puts Interactive, Social-Media Duties up for Review - AdAge ... as I said, ominous ...

You can be whoever you want to be!

2009-12-08T12:29:00.005-05:00

Just hire some noname nincompoop blogger or "ghostwriter" out there to pump up your personal PR ...

Case in point:

I am reading George Parker's blog this morning and he has posted this absolute gem ...Julie Roehm for CEO of GM… And me for King of England!.

Turns out, just such a nincompoop "speech writer - ghost writer" named Jane Genova has blogged that Jules ought to be considered for GM's newly vacant CEO position.

"The perfect choice might be former auto marketing shaman Julie Roehm. Everything about business is now about selling, be it a merger or a stock offering or strategic plan. Roehm is a sales animal, with an idiosyncratic velvet-glove touch. After she left Detroit, she's been getting plenty of global experience. The times I've interviewed her she's been in airports on the way to or from an international client."

Well HELL!? That ought to quailfy her!

Why ... you know what??!!! ... DMG WANTS TO BE CEO OF GM !!!! ... hell, I've got loads of automotive experience ...bein' a media guy in Detroit and all ... and a blog!!! ... that is read all over the world! (by ... er... 1 or 2 people).

Think that makes me a perfect fit! Don't you???

(sigh ... What's this world coming to ...)

Universal McCann Poised to Win Chrysler's Media Business - AdAge

2009-12-08T09:27:00.002-05:00

Chrysler officially through with all things Omnicom?

UPDATE: 12-9-09 Chrysler Taps Meredith for Customer Relationship Management - AdAge

Good Luck!

2009-12-07T09:24:00.002-05:00

...to Susan Docherty, GM's newest CMO ... GM's Ad Chief Docherty Will Keep Her Hands Off Ads -AdAge

Because, we need these guys to do well!

And, frankly, Susan is known to be a feet-on-the-ground, no nonsense, common sense, leader.

Fortunately, GM has found the talent within ... as it has been there all along.

Let's face it, if GM and Ford come out of this past 2 year mess alive, well, and on a trajectory to regain Auto Industry leadership ... then, who could ask for more? We will have a future.

And we can do our part.

For Chrysler ... one word.

2009-12-04T08:31:00.008-05:00

Travesty.

After Taking U.S. Bailout, Chrysler Hires Italian Agency - AdAge.

And .. for once ... I have to agree with Julie Roehm's opinion on something ...

About the new Chrysler 300 spot ... which is really and old Lancia spot ... she says,

"The message is a disconnect to what matters to people here," she said. Americans are focused now on getting back to work and the economy back on track, she said. "I don't think the vast majority of Americas know who this woman is or frankly care." She said this commercial "says they have no idea who their customer is in the U.S. or have a clue how to connect with them."

As for Chrysler's new Marketing Chief ... "Mr. Francois said in a prepared statement. "For Chrysler, this is a chance to use our brand image to join with others in the fight for peace and to knock down the walls that divide us. We at Chrysler believe in doing the right thing and making a difference." (AdAge)

Do the right thing? ... Make a difference? ...

And then produce this piece of ... well ...

No disrespect to Aung San Suu Kyi ...

One more word ... because this is just egotistical "bullshit".

Frankly, I would be surprised if Ms. Suu Kyi would not be outraged at her image and plight being used to promote a car brand. They clearly don't live in the same universe.

And so ... this gets the Johnny Cash salute of the week ...

UPDATE: 12-4-09 Chrysler Taps Fallon As Ad Agency -AdAge

So clearly Chrysler will has now shifted all of it's ad agency work out of Detroit.
Sad day for Detroit advertising.

Good Luck to Fallon as they set out on a fools errand to make Chrysler a luxury brand worthy of competing in what is now one of the toughest segments in the US Auto Industry.

Don't really think their past experience on BMW is even relevant given the circumstances.

"GM seeks outside CEO" - Freep.com (click)

2009-12-03T08:57:00.007-05:00

Two words ... a name actually ... come to mind ... when talking about going "outside" for help.

Ron Zarrella.

Isn't this where and how GM's whole mess started?

And even Zarrella (a Bausch and Lomb guy thrust into an Automotive world), himself, acknowledged the complexity of running an Automobile Company ...

From an ancient article in Automotive News (noted here) ...

"Ron Zarrella decided in 1996 to buck tradition at General Motors by de-emphasizing divisional brands in advertising, instead pouring money into individual nameplates. In other words, the Grand Prix counted more than Pontiac.

But this year, tradition prevailed. GM reversed the strategy and re-emphasized divisional advertising.

In his farewell press conference last week, Zarrella acknowledged he learned many things the hard way during his seven years in Detroit. The outgoing president of GM North America discovered that the company's practices, odd to outsiders, often have their own logic."

Fish Slayer.

2009-12-02T08:32:00.005-05:00

No great surprise over the announcement of Bill Ludwig as Tony Hopps successor at the helm of Campbell-Ewald in Detroit ... and it's newest - old (not like he hasn't been doing this already) guardian of their most prized possession .. the Chevrolet biz.

New Leadership Atop Chevy's Longtime Shop Campbell-Ewald - AdAge.

All we can do is wish Bill Good Luck! ... these will be among the most trying times his agency (and our town) have had in defending the stellar work of C-E as it's challenged and in-search-of-itself client ... GM ... hopefully doesn't pull a Serg, and screw around with the one thing actually working for it.

All I know is ... give him better than even odds ... I've witnessed how he can fish.

What do it all mean???

2009-12-01T16:44:00.009-05:00

GM CEO Henderson out, Whitacre in - Freep.com

At this juncture - I'm not convinced GM could find it's corporate ass with both hands ...

This is better than Wagoner? (bet he's having a good chuckle ...)

GM-Fedexec ... "We can't seem to deliver."

UPDATE: 12-2-09 Thanks to "Lester" for providing this little tip ... posted earlier today at jalopnik.com

Fritz Henderson's daughter shows some major pluck by calling out GM-Fedexec for firing her dad. And truthfully dispensing with the blarney that he "stepped down", which we all know is not the case anyway.

She can contribute to the DMG blog anytime. Truth comes with double-barrels.

Happy Thanksgiving! ...

2009-11-25T08:05:00.007-05:00

"What you got to be thankful about?" ... you say?

Stop and think for a minute (maybe less) and you will find something ... someplace ... someone.

And here's a couple Thanksgiving items that I found, that I pass along to you ... to lighten the day ...

The Mix: click here with a decidedly food theme ... groove and cook away!

And in case you need a turkey tip ... here's a recommendation for preparing your bird:

Ingredients:
1 whole turkey
1 large lemon, cut into halves
salt and pepper to taste
butter or olive oil, whichever you prefer

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Rub butter or oil over the skin of the turkey until it is completely coated.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and any other seasonings you prefer.

Take a knife and gently separate the skin from the breast meat;
Slide lemon halves under the skin with the peel side up, one on
each side. This way the juice from the lemon will release into the breasts.

Cover and bake for 30-45 minutes. Remove cover and continue
to roast until juices run clear, basting every 15-20 minutes. (Total cooking time depends on size of your Turkey).

Bon Appetite!

And if you've followed these directions carefully... your bird should come out looking something like this ...

I just love a good Turkey breast!

Happy Thanksgiving - and God Bless You and your family.

O - ver blown!

2009-11-20T10:41:00.005-05:00

So Oprah makes the BIG announcement ... Harpo President Confirms Oprah Winfrey Ending Talk Show Run On Network TV ...

When? ... almost 2 YEARS FROM NOW ... Sept 9, 2011.

Good God Y'All! Think that's enough time for us to get over it?

(And let me guess) ... to start back up again almost immediately on her new Cable Network!? One could only hope beyond hope!!! ...

Oh ('O') Please ... !!!?

Draconian Cost Cuts Do Not Build a Stronger Future - AdAge (click here)

2009-11-17T13:11:00.009-05:00

Caption this ...

Sir M: And then ... Christiana ... I told them, 'look ... if you don't spend your (bleepin') money on Advertising how the (bleep) can you expect things to turn around for you when the market actually does get going' ... so you see Dear ... I am trying ... very hard! to keep my revenues up! ...

C: Marty ... you know it won't set well with me if my shopping excursions are curtailed in any way ...

"Detroit Industry Faces Future Without BBDO" -AdAge

2009-11-17T07:56:00.004-05:00

There is just almost no way to "compartmentalize" this fiasco.

There is no rational reason on earth for BBDO to have been shut down in Detroit by the latest gang-that-couldn't-shoot-straight up at Chrysler ...

But, the only epitaph in this sad chapter will be ... "that's the ad industry." You roll the dice ... you takes your chances ... your only as good as your last ad ... and, sometimes ... most times ... that doesn't even matter. (We always knew this ... we just wanted to believe in more ...)

So now you got 485 people on the street ... and no way for a listing ad industry to absorb them all.

This, of course, is Titanic in Detroit advertising history ... in word and deed.
And that is exactly how those 485 must feel.

And my heart goes out to every one of them.

The next time some outside group of corporate generals rolls in here to say how they have a commitment to straighten things out ... how they want to create a virtuous business, based on quality and commitment and partnership ... and any amount of hyperbole ...

Remember BBDO.

An Open Letter to Sergio Marchionne.

2009-11-11T17:39:00.007-05:00

Dear Sergio,

Just need to get something off my chest here.

You're new to town.

And here in Detroit, well ... it's a friendly place. A good place ... to live ... to work ... to raise a family ... pursue your career passion ... particularly if you love cars! We love cars here. (I invite you to come out on Woodward Ave or better yet ... Gratiot ... some weekend night with me. Doesn't even have to be the Dream Cruise weekend ... cause your gonna see some great rides.)

Detroit accepts people into it's community with open arms. Hell ... The whole city is built on immigration of one kind or another ... whether from distant shores and borders (like the strong Arab and Lebanese communities, Mexican villages, Greek, Polish, and Irish hamlets)... or even Black and White migrants from the South who came here generations ago, up US-23, to work in the mills, and factories that supported this great Auto Industry.

People who work here in marketing and advertising ... well ... they got one of the strongest work ethics on the planet.

You think in an advertising world of shysters and barkers and slick willies ... where it's easy for any bullshitter to make a buck and name for him/or herself ... if it was just about the money ... they wouldn't have taken a powder on this place by now if they didn't love what they do and have a sense of community about it?

Like maybe it matters more to them that they are doing what they love, for those that they love, in a pretty hardscrabble place ... but, thats where the work ethic comes from!

But in the last decade ... there has been more harm done to our life here by outsiders with no more passion in their souls than what they may earnestly hope to find through their longing stares into the eyes of Ben Franklin on the $100 bill.
Carpetbaggers.

No intention to be a part of this community. No intention to help build it ... or rebuild it ... as the case may sadly now be ...

Only to plunder whatever is left of her.

Are you another one of those guys? God! I hoped not.

So ... long way around saying that I watched the latest results of your creative agency "jump ball" routine.

And so I was just ... you know ... left scratching' my head ... going this ... this stuff ... is what you sold BBDO out for? You ... a guy that supposedly gets the value of commitment ... a guy supposedly who dragged Fiat out of the ashes and back into competition ... a guy that talks all about the long haul ...

Did you really say to the invitees at your 8 hour soul-searching extravaganza last week ... "The 2010 - 2014plan at Chrysler, when all is said and done, is a commitment to build an enterprise of men and women of virtue."

And then turn BBDO out on the streets.

You threw out 3 decades of commitment ... 3 decades of values and work ethic ... 3 decades of blood, sweat and tears at the hands of an inept client merry-go-round ...

You threw all that out ... because you don't want an agency with too much power? - you favor the "jump ball"? ... all that loyalty is just meaningless blather in the dog-eat-dog world of marketing to you?

And this is what you got for it?

When all that you needed to do was give some of the hardest working and loyal troops in the industry the only thing they have truly needed ...

Honest Leadership.

You know ... under any other circumstances, think I would have stepped up to welcome you to Detroit. But there is no turning the cheek on this kind of betrayal.

No substance ... only packaging.

And that's what I expect will be evident of your newest Chrysler.

Unless ... my friend ... you put some integrity behind all the words.

Maybe you didn't like BBDO ... but make your next agency live and work here ,,, and do yourself a favor ...

Make 'em hire some of your most loyal supporters back.

Sincerely,

DMG

No great surprise.

2009-11-09T13:58:00.007-05:00

BBDO Signals End to Chrysler Relationship, Its Detroit Office - AdAge.

And so it is written.

How you gonna beat a non-relationship like this ...

"Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne is said to favor "jump ball" reviews for assignments over agency-of-record relationships, thereby preventing any agency from having too much power ..."

Through it all, the saddest epilogue is simply that BBDO has been there every step of the way, backing up Chrysler ... back to a time that Chrysler was on the brink in 1979-80 ... and then when they were on the brink again through the 90's travesty of Mercedes Benz take-over (excuse me ... mean to say "partnership of equals" ... but I just seem to choke on that every time) ... and then yet again through the Cerberus three-headed schizoid 2000's ... until finally, it was BBDO providing the financial backbone as they floated Chrysler through bankruptcy proceedings earlier this year ... 10s of millions in arrears ... we may never know how much ...

Completing a 30 year spiral.

And BBDO did some really fine work along the way in spite of some fairly inept clients.

So, today ... Joe Garcia was forced to deliver the final blow to his staff ...

But, noone can say this was a surprise. Chrysler long ago forgot whatever it was that meant loyalty, commitment, and character.

Somehow, crisis either bring out the best or the worst in you.

Think it's pretty clear that BBDO held it's head up ...

Chrysler? on the other hand ... not-so-much.

***************************
UPDATE: 11-9-09 Breaking: BBDO Detroit to Close Doors Jan. 29th - mediabistro.com

A comment posted at mediabistro.com this afternoon:

"No job. And no severance. That's right. NO SEVERANCE. Hiding behind the legal obligations of WARN is the coward's way out. Especially after a quote like, "They have done everything they could to support our clients and their brands..."

The worst car-wreck of all ...

That old gang of mine ...

2009-11-09T10:14:00.007-05:00

Amidst all the hub-bub out in Auburn Hills last week, and ferreting out news of GM's agency scramble ... how did I miss this ...! Kellogg Names GM's Betsy Lazar VP-Global Media - AdAge

The last of the Guarascio/Browner/Ritchie/Donlin/Mediaworks legacy ... takes the A-train to Battle Creek.

Who will GM get to take over that grand mess?

UPDATE: 11-09-09 So, what do we get??? Bring back Phil! Bring Back Phil! Bring Back Phil! Please! says some Detroit Auto know-it-all tool... who calls himself the "Voice of The Automotive World" at his blog TheDetroitBureau.com .

"Guarascio did more to shake-up the automotive agency-client relationship than any other individual when he arrived in Detroit from Benton and Bowles in 1985 by slashing commission rates, instituted negotiating media rates, then unheard of, and, most importantly making the GM advertising function more scientific and accountable. Then he retired and professionalism seemed to go out the door with him."

I suppose the first part is true ... but, as for that last part? ...

Not sure, but I seem to recall that "professionalism" in Phils dictionary had the definition "crony-ism" next to it. Anybody else recall those Conde Nast dinners where he held court?

Honestly, the only science I recall about it was, "what's the vintage? and, I'll take the OpusI. Now ... about that deal ...".

But, hell ... maybe a little good old fashioned cronyism would be a breath of fresh air right about now ... at least you know where you stand.

O' Bama ... where art thou!

2009-11-07T07:25:00.005-05:00

Unemployment rate hits a 26 year high ...

This Blamed recession is Over!! ... ?

... still waiting (wanting) to believe ...

UPDATE: 11-10-09 Fed officials warn weak recovery won't spur jobs - AP

Home is where the heart is ...

2009-11-05T12:49:00.004-05:00

... and since GM has no heart (musta got ripped out - at least what was left of it - in bankruptcy proceedings)...

... it's Cadillac advertising business isn't coming home (to Detroit anyway) ... after having been hijacked to Boston for past 3 years ... McCann Out of Running for Cadillac Account - AdAge.

Finding it's "Inner Mojo" ...

2009-11-05T08:57:00.012-05:00

That's what it all seemed to be about yesterday up in Auburn Hills as the new Fiat gang briefed press for over 7 hours (!!!) about Chrysler's shortcomings,soul-searching, reinvigorated vision ... and ah-ha realizations ...

"Ralph Gilles, Chrysler's top design executive and new head of the Dodge brand, talked about finding one's "inner mojo" while flashing an image of a young woman with a full-arm tattoo on the screen behind him."

Marchionne unveils grand ambitions - freep.com

As reported by the freep ...

"Chrysler will have to struggle on largely with mildly reworked versions of its current vehicles until an infusion of new Fiat-based models and technologies begin to arrive late in 2010, based on the first presentations in the five-year plan the automaker revealed at its Auburn Hills headquarters today."

Which apparently amounts to inserting Fiat 1.0 and 1.4 liter engines in existing makes as fast as they can be rushed over here to US ... and then a revamped sports car built on Masserati lineage, by 2012 ... and then there is the RAM group who will introduce a Fiat based van as part of the portfolio and maybe ... get this ... "Ram may even venture into the business of making semi trucks, brand boss Fred Diaz said." (more here ...)

Sounds a little more like Moe and Joe got together to pull this thing together.

It's breezy up there in Auburn Hills ....

And , also this ... among the hours of testimonials up there at Auburn Hills from every corner of the company ... "Purchasing head Dan Knott talked about his plan to rebuild trust with suppliers." (... more here )

Although, apparently that doesn't extend to it's Ad Agency partners who saw 'em through the worst of times ...

(as we said, it's breezy up there in Auburn Hills - check your tattoos at the gate.)

Crain's Detroit - Cool Places to Work ...

2009-11-02T13:53:00.002-05:00

hmmm ... Dunder Mifflin? ... Team Detroit? ... hmmm

Black and Blue

2009-11-02T12:14:00.002-05:00

The Ford Blue Oval ... is ...

... at least for the moment.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-30T07:59:00.003-04:00

Your choice ...

1.) Chrysler's marketing brain ... (based on how they treat their agency)
2.) GM's marketing brain ... (based on how they treat their agencies)
3.) Federal Govt's marketing brain ... (based on how they treat anyone)
4.) All of the above ... (obvious)

... very scary places to be ...

Wren: Chrysler Is "at Risk" and We're Pitching (@bnet.com)

2009-10-29T09:54:00.006-04:00

"John Wren appeared to be using his Q3 2009 conference call to pitch rival auto accounts to Chrysler, or at least to alert clients that his agencies — which include BBDO – may be available for work soon."

But, it's nice to know what the boss thinks of you ... he had this to say about the BBDO-Detroit staffers ...

"We are honoring the contract (Chrysler) and we will see what the outcome is and hopefully there aren’t any significant changes but if — but no matter what happens, those people (Detroit staff) are among the best that are within this company."

Nice.

(... course, that and $36 will barely buy you an oil change on your Chrysler 300 ...or Dodge Calibur ... not much left over for eggs ...)

Note: Chrysler Reviews Media Biz - AdWeek

more of ... "This blamed recession is Over!" ...

2009-10-27T15:47:00.005-04:00

...or I'll eat my hat!

Worsening job picture fuels slide in confidence. -AP

Still wanting to believe ...