When Cars Meet Politics, a Clash
'“Good morning to you all,” Chrysler’s chief executive, Sergio Marchionne, began as he made a surprise appearance last Sunday morning before 700 Chrysler dealers at the annual meeting of the National Automobile Dealers Association. “Although it wasn’t planned, I decided to stay overnight here in Las Vegas to greet you personally.”
But there was another reason, he said: to show the dealers a preview of a commercial that would be broadcast that evening during halftime of the Super Bowl. “Those who have lived through difficulties and have seen the dark days of desperation,” Mr. Marchionne continued, “know that the only way to get through them is by finding the values that are important in life; rediscovering a sense of belonging to a project, a community, a nation; embracing hope; looking ahead; and taking your destiny into your own hands.
“If Chrysler — a company that was practically sentenced to death by the press, the financial world and the public at large — was able to do it, then there’s hope for everyone. . .
Yeah. It’s halftime, America. And our second half is about to begin.”
“Nothing more needs to be said,” Mr. Marchionne concluded.
Overcome by emotion, he bowed his head and turned his back to the audience, according to those present, and there was a moment of stunned silence. It was the first time anyone had seen the video outside a closely guarded circle. Then the dealers rose and started applauding, an ovation that went on for several minutes.
Mr. Marchionne “cried, and then he left the room,” '
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/business/how-clint-eastwoods-chrysler-ad-stirred-politics-common-sense.html?hp