GM Dumps Tiger
Courtesy: autoblog.com
8 million dollars. Car companies spend that on Super Bowl advertising. Or flying executives around the country on corporate jets.
They dish out cash like that for fancy smoke-and-mirrors displays at auto shows around the planet.
But 8 million bucks was a pill too big for struggling General Motors to swallow and, today, they axed the last year of their 5 year deal with Tiger Woods worth a total of 40 million.
Frankly, I've never understood why GM would sign Tiger to push Buick, a brand that is associated with old retired white guys.
But, then, that's why General Motors would pay a marketing company millions – to figure out the un-figureable, so to speak.
This is a sign of the "new times" where deflation is gaining steam and consumers have zipped their wallets shut, where economies are grinding to a halt, commodity prices are plunging (gas prices in the U.S. have fallen for 68 straight days, now) and the layoffs are just beginning, folks.
And it is just the tip of the iceberg for professional golfers.
The LPGA is reducing the number of tournaments it plays next year. Tour boss, Carolyn Bivens says the prize money will drop from over 60 million to around 55 million next year.
The LPGA, unlike the men's PGA Tour, is a truly global golf show. How will the PGA Tour avoid the same fate or worse when it depends so heavily on American companies?
The simple answer is it won't.
Golf tours and playing professionals will be seeing sponsorships flying out the window in the weeks and months to come.
It's the new reality.
Well, here goes. Time to meet the critics.
I like to think this video and those to follow will become all the rage (outrage might be more like it).
I’m sure some will get a kick out of it, some might get mad, some will howl with sarcasm. What I’d really like to see is a scientific test facility put it to the test.
I’d LOVE some feedback. And think about SUBSCRIBING. That way you’ll receive updates as I put more of these up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeF2ql8WI8w
AND
I know he’s my son, but this video is great…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yrLlTnzeHI
I’m guessing this means that GM is now looking for budget celebrities, like someone who was an extra in “Law & Order” or some sort of trained animal. “General Motors: Now accepting less than the best.”
Hey Cris – My hunch is they won’t go for anyone – animal, vegetable or mineral – for a long time. This patient may be getting last rites rather than a surgical procedure. And, as for you, Marc Johnson, post your comments where they are most appropriate; I have written extensively on golf videos in the past. Flog your stuff there.
Buen día,
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Saludos cordiales
Good day,
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Can you imagine the screaming if GM had not cut the contract with Tiger and were begging congress for billions? I saw a late night comedy gig recently that said GM had to cut Tiger because they didn’t resemble him at all. He is young, strong, and a winner, and GM is none of these… or something like that.
Tiger will continue to prosper, and as long as he’s around, golf will do pretty well. GM may not make it. Unthinkable even just a few years ago.
Thanks for your columns. Very interesting.