GM edits robot ad, "America is officially insane"

Despite early statements by GM that they would not change their controversial Super Bowl Robot suicide ad because it was, "a story of GM's commitment to quality. It is not intended to offend anyone," the Lansing State Journal reports that GM has in fact edited the ad in question. 

The article reports that, "Now, instead of suicide it tries out entry-level jobs stocking shelves and parking cars and even has bad dreams of cars in the scrap yard before waking up."

New Media Strategies, an online brand management firm that tracks online buzz, ranked the spot as one of the least liked ads of the Super Bowl - with 46% of online buzz about the spot being unfavorable in nature as consumers reacted to the suicide aspect, as well as the fact that the ad does not treat the issue of domestic auto industry layoffs sensitively.  The ad cost more than $5 million to air.

The ad was edited under pressure from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.  As AdRants commented a few weeks ago, "America is officially insane."

Comments

[Madame M]

I don't think we need something as lame as an edited commercial to remind us that, as a nation, we're insane.

Great blog, btw :o)

[Catch Up Lady]

Oh I know, just this week's sign the apocalypse is upon us! Between this and the VW spot that got pulled before it even aired the suicide prevention groups are really in overdrive these days.

[Juno888]

nice job..