Chrysler Poll — Does Bankruptcy Affect Marketing? (2009 post)

A fleet of Jeep Grand Cherokees awaiting a new home

Ad Week is conducting a poll on Chrysler's  advertising in Linked In. The Adweek poll at Linked In centers on if a bankruptcy will affect the message and tone of the effort.   Ad Week also has a related article on messaging value during a downturn.  Take look and see what you think.

One challenge about sending a marketing message during a downturn or a company-wide distress is that associated independent channels have to be coordinated with the message to overcome negative response.  With the recent announcement of closing 1 out of 4 dealerships, plus GM's choice to eliminate 1100 dealers, public reception for any Chrysler promotion will only focus on Chrysler financial condition and not on the value of the product.  Thus the remaining dealers will have to break through these concerns to gain any traction in sales, even more-so after Chrysler exits bankruptcy and begins to execute a marketing strategy.

Small businesses can learn from the Chrysler bankruptcy by making sure its sales channels and partners are constantly aware of the business status.  If there are negative concerns, such as slowing sales, small businesses should keep its advisors and partners aware of its plan to address the downturn and give progress reports, be it formal report or simple blog post with Twitter announcements. The key is to maintain a coherent message, good or bad.