Camaros are for gay men...
07-09-2009, 10:30 AM
#1
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Camaros are for gay men...
GM pitches Chevrolet Camaro to gay men with beefcake video
UPDATE AT 6:05 P.M. ET: The videos have been yanked from YouTube, apparently in response to this post. See new item above with additional links.
For a local movie promotion a week ago aimed at gay buyers, General Motors' Chevrolet sponsored an online video on YouTube featuring the "Bumble Bee Boys in Briefs" -- a couple of buff "go-go boys" wearing only Speedo-type swimsuits with the letters CAMARO stitched across the behind. In the video, they are washing a Camaro.
It's an interesting marketing twist considering how dramatically the auto industry has backed away from blatantly using sex appeal to sell cars. In the 1950s, automakers never hesitated to plug their hot models with -- well, hot (female) models. They were aiming at male buyers and figured cheesecake would work. The trend died when women objected to being objectified, making today's gay beefcake appeal all the more interesting.
The video was produced to promote Chevrolet Gay Days at the Movies in Los Angeles, part of an ongoing outreach program to minority groups and the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender community. The movie was a screening of the new Transformers movie, chock full of GM vehicles including Bumblebee, a Camaro. Dave Barthmuss, a General Motors spokesman, said the promotion might surprise some "because you don't see it in the mainstream." The video was deemed to "make sense for this particular audience."
GM also uses tailored marketing to reach other groups, such as African-American and Asian-American buyers. A recent Asian-oriented event featured a meet-up around a catering truck dishing out gourmet specialties.
UPDATE AT 6:05 P.M. ET: The videos have been yanked from YouTube, apparently in response to this post. See new item above with additional links.
For a local movie promotion a week ago aimed at gay buyers, General Motors' Chevrolet sponsored an online video on YouTube featuring the "Bumble Bee Boys in Briefs" -- a couple of buff "go-go boys" wearing only Speedo-type swimsuits with the letters CAMARO stitched across the behind. In the video, they are washing a Camaro.
It's an interesting marketing twist considering how dramatically the auto industry has backed away from blatantly using sex appeal to sell cars. In the 1950s, automakers never hesitated to plug their hot models with -- well, hot (female) models. They were aiming at male buyers and figured cheesecake would work. The trend died when women objected to being objectified, making today's gay beefcake appeal all the more interesting.
The video was produced to promote Chevrolet Gay Days at the Movies in Los Angeles, part of an ongoing outreach program to minority groups and the gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender community. The movie was a screening of the new Transformers movie, chock full of GM vehicles including Bumblebee, a Camaro. Dave Barthmuss, a General Motors spokesman, said the promotion might surprise some "because you don't see it in the mainstream." The video was deemed to "make sense for this particular audience."
GM also uses tailored marketing to reach other groups, such as African-American and Asian-American buyers. A recent Asian-oriented event featured a meet-up around a catering truck dishing out gourmet specialties.
Hey, it's in the news.
07-09-2009, 11:36 AM
#6
Senior Moderator
Anything to sell enough cars to get rid of government ownership of GM is fine by me. Targeted marketing is a tried and true method.
07-09-2009, 11:53 AM
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The "Posted by tnl_tsx" in the original post is the wrong info-- the article is from USA Today, but I used a quote box pulled from another thread and forgot to change the "posted by" info to reflect that. 
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07-09-2009, 12:01 PM
#9
Senior Moderator
I think I'm kind of surprised that they'd try to aim what I think has typically been a car aimed at 18-34 year old beer drinking, mullet wearing American's (and Canadians 
) to gay men. I wouldn't think many gay men would be interested in a Camaro BECAUSE of that stigma?
<--- Really wants a Camaro.
) to gay men. I wouldn't think many gay men would be interested in a Camaro BECAUSE of that stigma?<--- Really wants a Camaro.
07-09-2009, 12:03 PM
#10
Registered Member
Sorry, gentlemen. I'll lay off the politics and go back to lunch.
07-09-2009, 12:16 PM
#11
Go Giants
This makes my next car purchase decision easier...
07-09-2009, 12:29 PM
#12
The sizzle in the Steak
07-09-2009, 12:50 PM
#14
I 
Bumblebee.... couldn't take my eyes off of him in the movie! :gheylaugh:
does this mean that a few rednecks aren't gonna buy the new Camaro? for fear of looking :ghey:?
Bumblebee.... couldn't take my eyes off of him in the movie! :gheylaugh:does this mean that a few rednecks aren't gonna buy the new Camaro? for fear of looking :ghey:?
07-09-2009, 01:23 PM
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AZ Community Team
07-09-2009, 03:29 PM
#16
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The Mini Cooper, Mercedes SLK, and VW New Beetle are pretty much for :theghey: guys. I don't see the Camaro going that way but so what... there is a big enough segment for everybody.
07-09-2009, 09:55 PM
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Alright, saw a new Camaro for the first time IRL this afternoon - silver, non-SS (V6?) on the I-10 freeway westbound near downtown LA.
The driver was a white Caucasian male, late 20s-early 30s, a flattop with close-cropped sides, big sunglasses and a medium-sized earring (not a stud) on his left ear.
Just sayyin'.
The driver was a white Caucasian male, late 20s-early 30s, a flattop with close-cropped sides, big sunglasses and a medium-sized earring (not a stud) on his left ear.
Just sayyin'.
07-09-2009, 10:38 PM
#24
07-09-2009, 10:40 PM
#26
07-10-2009, 10:12 AM
#30
Senior Moderator
As much as I don't agree with the lifestyle of the said demographic, GM cannot afford to pick and choose their targeted demographic. That said, I AM less likely to purchase any product that is associated with certain demographics that I find personally objectionable or unfitting of my personal taste. (One of the reasons I never bought an IROC-Z is due to the Guido image.)
Mustang FTW anyway.
Mustang FTW anyway.
