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General Motors, GMC, and FAO Schwarz Announce Exclusive Promotional Partnerships

15 October 1997

General Motors, GMC, and FAO Schwarz Announce Exclusive Promotional Partnerships

    NEW YORK, Oct. 15 -- General Motors and FAO
Schwarz jointly announced today a nine year agreement for General Motors to be
the exclusive automotive promotional partner of FAO Schwarz.  The 1998 GMC
Envoy was also announced as the exclusive sport utility vehicle of FAO
Schwarz.
    "There is a tremendous opportunity here on 5th Avenue to leverage some of
the most powerful retail brands in the world and evolve GM's efforts to create
strategic partnerships with other icon companies," said Phil Guarascio,
General Motors vice president and general manager, marketing and advertising
for North American Operations.  "We have created similar alliances with brands
like Sony, Disney and the WNBA, and we are excited to have FAO join this
circle."
    The promotional partnership will ensure General Motors is the only
automotive manufacturer that will have in store product displays or use
actual vehicles in catalogs to promote automotive-related toys and replicas.
In addition, FAO Schwarz and GM will investigate creating new toy products for
concept and vintage GM vehicles as well as apparel items with the "GM on 5th"
logo.
    "People of all ages love cars -- evidenced by how well our toy vehicles
sell." said John Eyler, chairman and chief executive officer, FAO Schwarz,
"This partnership strengthens our existing relationship with General Motors
and gives us the opportunity to investigate marketing efforts that will have
exciting results for our customers."
    Pontiac-GMC will be the primary GM division to jointly promote with FAO.
This will include designating the new 1998 GMC Envoy brand as the "FAO Schwarz
Official Big Kids' Toy" at all FAO Schwarz stores.  A remote control version
of the GMC Envoy will be sold in FAO Schwarz stores in late 1998.
    "A significant percentage of FAO Schwarz customers fits the profile of our
compact sport utility buyer -- individuals who expect premium quality and
service," said Roy Roberts, GM vice president, general manager, Pontiac-GMC.
"Our link with FAO will provide effective, nontraditional promotions -- like
the FAO holiday catalog -- to reach our prospective customers."
    In addition to GMC providing transportation needs for FAO Schwarz grand
openings, the GMC Envoy will be on display at the Las Vegas, Orlando and Fifth
Avenue FAO stores.  Other benefits of this partnership include a GMC/FAO
national sweepstakes, GMC product literature placed in FAO shopping bags and a
link between the GMC and FAO internet sites.

SOURCE  General Motors Corporation