Chrysler Thank You Ads Make America Cringe with Anger

[VH_Supra26]

by Thami Masemola
December 31, 2008 5:14 PM
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2008/12/large/chrysler-thank-you-america-ad.jpg

Chrysler's gesture of goodwill appears to have backfired on the US carmaker. For about a week Chrysler took out advertisements in some of America's highest circulating newspapers, thanking Americans for their ‘investment' in the company through the US government's multi-billion-dollar bailout plan.

"On behalf of the 1 million people who depend on Chrysler for their livelihoods, thank you for investing in Chrysler, and America," says the statement, signed by CEO Bob Nardelli on behalf of Chrysler.

Ads were taken out in newspapers like USA Today and The Wall Street Journal where prices for placement of a full-page ad can range between USD $206,000 - $264,000 and $112,000 and $217,000 respectively. Unfortunately a backlash has ensued.

"It's quite ridiculous to be spending that kind of money," says Princella Smith, national spokeswoman for American Solutions, an organisation headed by former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich. "Those ads are just a precise example of the fact that they do not get it ... and it's just in our faces."

Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist told FOXNews.com that the company should return all that money. He said: "Years ago there was a robber who was really polite. He said please and thank you while he was robbing people. At the end of the day, people had their money stolen. Saying thank you doesn't make it OK. They should give the money back."

Copyright 2006-2008 Black Falcon Media Group.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9081231.010/chrysler-thank-you-ads-make-america-cringe-with-anger

[Narcissistic]

morons

[ceis_r]

Way to say thank you and f**k you America.

[rene]

man talk about backfire....

[winc281]

Yeah well it is a dumb idea to spend that much money on an ad thanking people for the bailout. Not a wise way to spend the $.

[meangreen94z]

Thats just about the stupidest arguement I've ever heard.....

Advertising is part of running any large business. Do you know why USA Today and the Wall Street journal have such high advertising costs? BECAUSE THEY ARE A NATIONALLY CIRCULATED PUBLICATION READ BY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS. Should Chrysler instead split that money up into multiple local publications that combined don't have the same viewership? GM's advertising budget alone is in the Billions annually..... this amount is nothing....

Unfortunately only a small percentage of Americans are aware of whats going on in the automotive market. Most rely on flashy advertisements thrown in their face to make them even partly aware of whats new.

[winc281]

Well that ad doesn't really advertise any of their vehicles.

[meangreen94z]

Yeah well it is a dumb idea to spend that much money on an ad thanking people for the bailout. Not a wise way to spend the $.

The point of the advertisement is that people identify these manufacturers simply as 3 corporations. Chrysler's trying to make people realize that the bailout kept 1 million of their workers employed.

I know most people identify the 20 billion bailout as coming out their pocket, but GM's annual payroll taxes alone have that covered fourfold. I'm sure they and their workers appreciate THEIR money is being spent to keep them employed.

[winc281]

Yeah but how is that going to help them sell vehicles? Isn't that what they need to do in order to weather the storm and make it through the current financial crisis?

[meangreen94z]

Yeah but how is that going to help them sell vehicles? Isn't that what they need to do in order to weather the storm and make it through the current financial crisis?

I think they realized the bailout had a negative effect on their image. Congress presented the public the image of excess. They showed the negatives: Executives flying in corporate jets, outdated worker programs, etc. I think they're trying gain back Americans faith and appreciation by saying hey 1 million people and their families depended on that bailout.
Yeah alot of their workers may be overpaid by todays standards, but I think thats true of any industry(I work with plenty of overpaid people). It just finally caught up after nearly a century, as it will inevitably every other corporation. Nothing lasts forever.

[Renaissanceman]

this has nothing to do with saving jobs if they went under some company would of bought them this is a total waste of money

[meangreen94z]

this has nothing to do with saving jobs if they went under some company would of bought them this is a total waste of money
No some company would have bought their assets(More than likely chinese). A good deal, if not most, of those jobs would have been lost....

[alf]

that was smart of them lol. wasnt chrysler the guys that didnt even need the money?

[tiedupfool]

Thats just about the stupidest arguement I've ever heard.....

Advertising is part of running any large business. Do you know why USA Today and the Wall Street journal have such high advertising costs? BECAUSE THEY ARE A NATIONALLY CIRCULATED PUBLICATION READ BY MILLIONS AND MILLIONS. Should Chrysler instead split that money up into multiple local publications that combined don't have the same viewership? GM's advertising budget alone is in the Billions annually..... this amount is nothing....
:nod:


its alot for people that cant put their minds around the money that company throws around for its advertising


a bad thank you and 200,000 dollars is not gonna break Chrysler

[HB-II]

I think they realized the bailout had a negative effect on their image. Congress presented the public the image of excess. They showed the negatives: Executives flying in corporate jets, outdated worker programs, etc. I think they're trying gain back Americans faith and appreciation by saying hey 1 million people and their families depended on that bailout.
Yeah alot of their workers may be overpaid by todays standards, but I think thats true of any industry(I work with plenty of overpaid people). It just finally caught up after nearly a century, as it will inevitably every other corporation. Nothing lasts forever.

Well they sure as hell did not gain my faith or appreciation :yeahno:

[gismo4]

i, for one, welcome their 'thank yous'.

[Angr-E1]

that was smart of them lol. wasnt chrysler the guys that didnt even need the money?

i thought that was FORD? but i could be wrong. all i know is that FORD was the one company that didnt take any bailout money, yet.

[efhatch1]

that was smart of them lol. wasnt chrysler the guys that didnt even need the money?

that was Ford.

[RoMoCOP]

:wrd:

that doesnt make me mad or anything, its just stupid.

[syntheticGT]

Thats a pretty awful move.

I could understand if it was an advertisement for a new car all by itself...but a $200,000 thank you letter?

I dont think so Tim.

[Mr. Stone]

that was smart of them lol. wasnt chrysler the guys that didnt even need the money?


Well, since Chrysler is owned by Dodge, no.

F-ing noob.:really?:

[pakihomboy]

Well, since Chrysler is owned by Dodge, no.

F-ing noob.:really?:

Dodge is owned by Chrysler.