With all the talk in these parts about what it means to be an American automobile manufacturer, I couldn't resist Chrysler's press release about arranging some 200 employees to spell out the words "O Say, can you see" (complete with human punctuation). Chrysler Group Spokesperson Jodi Tinson stepped into the podcasting breach, challenging my de-PR-speak abilities and facing the inevitable questions about Francis Scott Key's magnum opus (set to a bawdy English drinking song) and Chrysler's Americanosity. The two-legged vowels and consonants will assemble on the front lawn of DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills Headquarters on Friday, July 7 during morning drive time. According to the press release, the employees will sing the national anthem loud enough to be heard across I-75. Here's hoping the DUB car show isn't rolling into town at the exact same moment the crooning begins.
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“Pay no attention to ze Germans behind ze curtain!”
Robert sort of brought it up… but, the Flag-Waving being done by Jeep is pretty nauseating. Willys Jeeps were made by Willys and Ford and they helped beat hell out of the Germans (and Mercedes) and then for the next 55 years Jeep made awesome vehicles called CJs and Cherokees and Wagoneers and then BOOM, Daimler is in charge and suddenly they support the troops.
Shameless.
Though, I guess the ill-named Liberty predates the merger.
What a refreshing new waste of energy. Maybe Jeep could have spent this work time figuring out how to put Frigging leg room in their backseats.
Or window controls for the Liberty that are not sub-mental.
Or coming out with twenty new models that are “not trail rated.”
Jodi Tinson sounded kinda hot !
In this day and age of globalization, it’s surprising that PR talking heads still beat the “Buy U.S.” drum. To stay competitive, U.S. customers should buy the best, wherever that might be sourced. The line between U.S. vs. Foreign companies is very blurry when one takes account of employment and reinvestment issues. This is a serious topic, and I appreciate Robert’s insightful questions. I only wish he had asked my question: “Jodi, when you’re not championing Chrysler’s historical roots in the U.S., do you prefer The Star Spangled Banner or Bolero during whoopee?”
Perhaps she should read the local paper. The Detroit News reports Dieter Zetsche is doing a series of commercials that “underscore Chrysler’s German parentage and the luster of German engineering.”
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?ID=/20060623/AUTO02/606230371
“Patriotism is usually the last refuge of the scoundrel. He is the man who talks the loudest.” – Mark Twain in a speech on education and citizenship, delivered May 14, 1908. Now 98 years later, same as it ever was (thanks for that phrase, David Bryne).
Sir!
You rode her pretty hard. Their dopey PR stunt is dumb and all, but I kinda felt sorry for her at the end. While I understand that it’s her job to get worked by the press, did she really need to know about Chesapeake Bay? I really wanted to know why we should care. Maybe we shouldn’t, but still.
What with the closings and the layoffs, I’d love to hear a follow up on how PR can spend the money on a helicopter (!) and not on, say, fixing the fundamental problems there. I’m not impressed.
Your best pal,
bob
I already dropped these lines at Jalopnik, but I figure it makes more sense to lay down my logic here too:
Come on Farago, don’t shoot the messenger. I mean vitriol is all well and good and certainly highly appreciated around here, but direct it at the right places…like Jason Vines, who’ll actually fire back. I mean giving her a hard time about the highest note? Come on.
nice quizzing. very amusing.