GM Challenges Online Gamers: 'Who Is Benjamin Stove?'

Alternate Reality Game Promotes Renewable Fuel Options Such As E85 Ethanol

DETROIT – April 12, 2006: Aliens, time travelers and ancient fairies might not be General Motors business, but they take center stage in GM’s innovative campaign to promote alternative renewable fuels.

“Who is Benjamin Stove?,” a three-month-long Alternate Reality Game (ARG), has encouraged more than 280,000 participants to learn more about GM’s commitment to promoting renewable fuel options in the U.S. and the wide availability of FlexFuel vehicles among GM’s vehicle lineup.

Developed with the Campbell-Ewald advertising and marketing communications agency and innovative experimental media firm GMD Studios, the game launched on January 9 with a dedicated “Who Is Benjamin Stove?” Web site (www.whoisbenjaminstove.com) and a plea from Tampa resident Tucker Darby to the online community to help him unravel the mystery behind an unusual painting of crop circles he acquired as a child.