Corvette in Super Bowl halftime show didn't work out, GM says

[Rob]

Corvette in Super Bowl halftime show didn't work out, GM says

By Melissa Burden and David Shepardson
The Detroit News


Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco looks at the inside of a 2014 Corvette Stingray Monday in New Orleans. GM presented
the car to the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player. (Darron Cummings / Associated Press)

General Motors Co. confirmed Monday that it was approached by organizers of the Super Bowl halftime show to feature its all-new Corvette, but the idea was scrapped.

"The public's response to the new Corvette Stingray has been extraordinary, so we were glad to help when we were approached by the producers of the Super Bowl halftime show about the possibility of integrating a car into the show production," Pat Morrissey, GM's director of product and brand communications, said in a statement. "We worked with all the parties involved on a variety of possibilities, including one scenario that would have included the new Corvette Stingray as part of the show. In the end, it did not work out, but we were honored to be asked to be involved and pleased the Corvette was the vehicle of choice."

Full Story: Corvette in Super Bowl halftime show didn't work out, GM says | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

[1analguy]

Lucky Joe. If they really did give him the car to start driving right now, where does he take it if there's a problem of some kind?

[tamashane]

They should give one to a spectator in his honor. He could buy a dealership, much less any car he wants.

[LLC5]

They should give one to a spectator in his honor. He could buy a dealership, much less any car he wants.

No doubt, he can have any exotic he wants.

Too bad that it didn't happen though, it would have been great advertising and P.R. for G.M.

[1analguy]

They should give one to a spectator in his honor. He could buy a dealership, much less any car he wants.

I've always wondered why they donate cars to people who don't need (and, probably, don't want) them. This goes all the way back to the dawn of the space program, and maybe even further. It would be one thing if the recipients actually used the cars and gave them a lot of exposure, but in practice, you never really see or hear from them again.

[Rob]

I've always wondered why they donate cars to people who don't need (and, probably, don't want) them. This goes all the way back to the dawn of the space program, and maybe even further. It would be one thing if the recipients actually used the cars and gave them a lot of exposure, but in practice, you never really see or hear from them again.

It all depends upon how much marketing opportunity they feel they have.

Do you have any idea how much money GM saved by not advertising with commercials during the Superbowl? Yet, they got all the press they needed from both on-air exposure after the game, and all the print media the next day, for free, by donating a Corvette to the MVP.

They could care less whether or not he needs it. If they have the opportunity to save millions of dollars in advertising costs, while achieving the same exposure by donating a $50,000+ "unit" to some guy who could probably afford to buy a few of them, they're going to do it.

It's a financially prudent strategy for them, and in my opinion, kudos to GM's marketing team for a move well-played.

[1analguy]

When you're right, you're right!