And now for something completely different

Chevrolet is on a roll.

Thanks to four-dollar a gallon gasoline, an earthquake that has debilitated the Japanese auto industry and a really good small car, Chevrolet was the country's leading seller of sedans in May according to Road & Track.

Corvette racing overcame adversity to come from behind this weekend and defeat Ferrari in the world's most prestigious sports car race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

And even with just triple digit sales figures in the first few months of its limited market launch, the Volt is getting credit for creating new manufacturing jobs in the U.S.

Not a bad few weeks for a brand that's been battered about for years.

Now if the PR folks at GM could just keep Dan Akerson from saying things like...

"It's just like the Communist Party in China in the 1960s: There has to be a cultural revolution here."

...about the company he runs, that might allow the GM's critics to focus for a few minutes on the progress that's been made instead of his incomprehensible blather.

Sometimes it's okay to tick off customers

On the heels of yesterday's post, I thought I'd present a good reason to make a customer or two angry.

(This does contain profanity, so if you're in your cube or around small children, put your headphones on)



Now, normally I'm not a big fan of crowdsourcing to create advertising, but when something like this falls into your lap, you just have to use it.

Kudos to the folks at Alamo Drafthouse for creating the best "Don't Text During the Movie" ad ever.

I wish that the folks at Marcus Corp would enforce this rule so diligently.

A missed connection

I never understood why companies do this.

Yesterday I went to upgrade one of the phones on my wireless plan. After seeing all the options offered on their website, I decided on a new Smartphone that would cost $89 if I selected a two-year contract. Fair enough. I decided to come back later and make the transaction.

When I returned to the site, I saw the phone I wanted but this time it was listed for $49 with the same contract. Bonus!

Then I read the fine print and that $49 price was for new customers only.

So let me get this straight. I've been giving you over $200 a month for three years for my family plan with data plans, unlimited texting, shared minutes, etc., and you're going to charge me MORE than someone who hasn't given you a dime?

Guess what? I'm shopping around now. Hey, if new customers are more valuable than loyal customers like me, why don't I become someone else's new customer and reap the benefits.

So my wireless company has put a relationship at risk that generates over $2,500a year in revenue for a measly 40 bucks.

That, my friends, is not good marketing.