Creative Firsts Earn GM Entry to Advertising Hall of Fame

Songs, sponsorships, amusements result in only second corporate induction in 62 years

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Mar 30, 2011, 02:44 ET

DETROIT, March 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Advertising Federation is inducting General Motors into the Advertising Hall of Fame tonight during ceremonies in New York City. GM joins Procter & Gamble Co. as the only corporations selected in the federation's 62-year history.

GM has established marketing benchmarks for more than a century, beginning with the first hit song about an automobile and continuing with pioneering sponsorships of television shows and major sporting events, building the most popular thrill ride at Walt Disney World's Epcot attraction, and creating landmark ad campaigns such as "See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet."

"GM today is building on our heritage of inventiveness and creativity with aggressive advertising and targeted marketing," said Chris Perry, GM vice president, U.S. Marketing. "Most importantly, we have great cars, trucks and crossovers in the market."

GM advertising "firsts" include:

The first car song to make it big, "In My Merry Oldsmobile"
Sponsorship of television programs including "The Dinah Shore Show" and "Bonanza"
Sponsorship of a major sporting event, the PGA tour
Sponsorship of an attraction at Walt Disney World, "Test Track presented by General Motors"
Partnership with "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to give away 276 Pontiac G6 cars in one show
Iconic ad campaigns such as "See the U.S.A. in Your Chevrolet" and "Like a Rock"
Landmark product integrations in movies such as "Transformers"

"Throughout its storied history, GM has continually set new standards in advertising, promotion and marketing," said James Edmund Datri, president and CEO, American Advertising Federation. "For its outstanding history of excellence in all phases of advertising, the AAF is proud to induct General Motors into the Advertising Hall of Fame."

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 202,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 30 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Italy. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

SOURCE General Motors