General Motors Co. ousted Joel Ewanick, the high-profile marketing chief brought in to change the automaker’s image, after company officials questioned the propriety of a deal he negotiated to sponsor the Manchester United soccer team, people familiar with the matter say.
General Motors has dismissed global marketing chief Joel Ewanick two years after hiring him. “He failed to meet the expectations the company has of an employee,” spokesman Greg Martin said Sunday, without elaborating.
Goodbye Super Bowl, hello Hallmark Channel. General Motors agreed to spend money in the TV upfront negotiations but has come away with deals that moved its advertising out of top-tier networks and shows and into less expensive units.
Will GM’s Upfront Plan Ultimately Conk Out?
An examination into the motivations and an analysis of the risks of Joel Ewanick’s strategy to stare down the TV networks on price hikes.
