Shirt Stories: And Now, No Word Of Our Sponsor

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Supposedly, one of the reasons for keeping Manchester United after GM’s chief marketing honcho Joel Ewanick was fired for downright unethical shenanigans was that Man U is extremely popular in the Asian growth markets. Whereas they have a hard time even pronouncing “Ewanick.” So far, so good. However, the secret of a successful marketing program lies in its flawless execution.

At a car show in China’s Hunan Province, brought to you by Carnewschina, they had the proper Malibu, with a huge Manchester logo on the hood. But the girl! I mean, nothing wrong with the girl, but the shirt! It’s red alright, but it has last year’s sponsor AON on it. This is definitely a case of less is more: No shirt at all would have been more attractive than this one.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Rodface Rodface on Dec 18, 2012

    Excuse to post cute asian girls, amirite?

  • BigMeats BigMeats on Dec 18, 2012

    All the money China now has but they still can't afford secondary sexual characteristics? Well, the Japanese never much went in for them either.

  • Lynn Ellsworth Lynn Ellsworth on Dec 18, 2012

    I have no idea what you are talking about. I don't know Ewanick or what he did and apparently Man U is some kind of uninteresting sports team but please use any excuse you can for showing Chinese models.

  • El scotto El scotto on Dec 18, 2012

    He states what Ewanick used to do. Manchester United (Man U) is arguably the most valuable/recognized football (soccer) team in the world. I said arguably; not meaning to offend fans of the most popular sport on the planet. The Man U and China connection is natural and there are "booth babes" at just about every car show, trade convention, whatever expo. Highly technical convention? Pretty women in tight office appropriate clothing. Jeep used to build an indoor "trail course" at big auto shows and hire perky college-aged women to drive you around the course. Girlfriend's teenage son went on the "trail course" and was driven around by said perky women. Three times.

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