GM

General Motors Parts Ways With Global Chief Marketing Officer Joel Ewanick

Published July 30, 2012

General Motors' "tumult deepened on Sunday when the auto maker ousted" Global Chief Marketing Officer JOEL EWANICK, according to Terlep & Vranica of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. Sources said that GM told Ewanick he was "being removed for failing to properly vet the financial details" of the company's recent sponsorship deal with EPL club Manchester United. A GM spokesperson yesterday said Ewanick "failed to meet expectations the company has for its employees" and elected to resign. GM said that he will "be succeeded on an interim basis" by VP/U.S. Sales & Service ALAN BATEY. Sources said that the ouster "wasn't a result of Mr. Ewanick's recent decision to stop GM's paid advertising" on Facebook. However, sources added that Ewanick's "choice to discuss the move with the Wall Street Journal days before Facebook's initial public offering of stock didn't go over well among executives in GM's top ranks." Ad execs said that he "often ruffles ad shops with harsh critiques and demands for last-minute changes." Ewanick also "used a commercial for this year's Super Bowl to take a shot at rival Ford Motor Co." (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/30). In L.A., Jerry Hirsch notes GM also "declined to advertise" at upcoming Super Bowl XLVII, "traditionally the advertising industry's biggest spectacle" (L.A. TIMES, 7/30).

JERSEY SWAP: The PA reports GM and ManU have "announced the club's shirt sponsor will be Chevrolet" for the '14-15 season. Chevy will "replace Aon, whose partnership with United began in the 2010-11 season" (PA, 7/30). In Detroit, Brent Snavely writes the announcement "comes one day after" Ewanick resigned "amid reports that a deal with a European soccer team contributed to his departure" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 7/30).