Great advertising people love a good challenge and Jeff Goodby, Rich Silverstein and crew have just given themselves the ultimate challenge by pitching, and winning, Chevrolet.
According to The Wall Street Journal the General Motors brand is moving its business to GS&P after less than a month with Publicis Groupe. Talk about turbulent times…
Here’s where it gets interesting. San Francisco-based Goodby, Silverstein, part of Omnicom Group Inc., will open an office in Detroit to support the account, which is by far GM’s largest brand.
I remember when Wieden + Kennedy tried that–the Portland agency opened a Philadelphia office to service Subaru, only to lose the account and close the office within a few years. Maybe Goodby will fare better than Wieden in this, but it’s no simple task to replicate an agency’s culture (especially one as special as Goodby’s) in a “foreign” city.
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Goodby has already had a Detroit office when they worked on the Saturn account for several years. The office did shut down when they lost the business, but they definitely have the experience working in downtown Detroit. I say more power to them, hopefully they hire some outstanding locals with auto experience.
I’m surprised CPB hasn’t landed any auto business from Detroit yet.
I have a feeling CP+B knows better.
Here’s an imaginary conversation…
Alex: Who wants to move to DayTwah?
The Group: (sfx: utter fucking silence)