Search Marketing Insomniac…The Blog of Adam Henige

Seems everyone turned it up a notch in regards to their online marketing efforts (I can only assume it was in my rather curt take on GM’s use of pay per click last month…right?).  Ford and Chrysler even launched differentiating strategies, an interesting strategic move - disassociating themselves from the “Big 3″ moniker in a way.  Perhaps with the prospects of a shrinking pie and the threats of extreme oversight lead them to think strength in unity would lead to lesser results.

Anyhow, without delving too much further into it, I found an interesting article here that goes into greater detail as to the automakers’ approaches to leveraging online media to sway public opinion.  Interestingly, it discusses Ford’s launch of a similar PPC campaign to GM, but again, no talk of geo-targeting.  This, to me just seems like a terrible waste of funds.  As they point out very clearly on emptywheel, the entire Michigan delegation is for the bailout.  This would be equivalent to Netvantage working with every business in the state of Michigan, and still serving ads to them (and KNOWING we have their entire marketing budgets - I need to make this happen…)

I just Googled “auto bailout” and look what I see…

Arghhhhhhhhhhhh!

GM and Ford, this is not helping your case!

These are the types of things that leave me wandering around the office muttering in Polish.  Will someone please tell these guys to stop advertising in Michigan?  I can only imagine how many impressions for these ads come from Michigan.  I have seen estimates that 10 percent of our workforce would lose their jobs if there is no bailout, and how many retirees do you think this would affect?  I have to believe a good chunk of click funds are being eaten up by Michiganders…whose representatives have already declared their intentions.

I will leave you with my final thought…from a TV legend.  My feelings are summed up at the 14 second mark.

Thank you Susan Powter.