New OnStar GM Canada commercial.

[JaRylan]

First of all if it is for GM Canada they could have at least used Canadian actors that live in Hollywood, lol. Or at least have shown Kelly Ripa driving around Banff with her gas cap off and lost in Canada. The last person with the baby in back...I don't see a chest clip and even if there was one it wouldn't do any good with the loose straps. I have no idea what seat the baby is in but is his head a little close to the top shell?

[Misty-Bug]

EXACT same things I saw. Number one, I saw no chest clip. Number two the harness was EXTREMELY loose. I could probably have fit my fist in there, and Number three he looked too big for the seat.
I was going to contact them in regards to it. Even my husband caught it and said it was wrong. Where do you think I should direct my comment to? The GM canada website? If there is one. I kept forgetting to look but am gonna do that now!

[Misty-Bug]

thanks for reminding me that I wanted to contact them. this is what I said:

My name is Misty _______. I have recently noticed your OnStar GM Canada commercial. I am going to flat out say it. I am NOT impressed. The main complaint is the last scene with the child in it. It is wrong for so many reasons.
a)there is no chest clip for the infant. And if there is it is too low cause it is not at the arm pit level where we would see it.
b) the harness is WAY too loose. I could easily fit my fist under there
and
c) the child looks too big for the seat. I could be wrong but there should be an inch of hard shell above the head and it looks to me like there is nothing of the sort.

In all honesty, it calls to my attention your lack of detail and makes me wonder about the product itself. If you pride yourself on vehicle safety shouldn't this be correct in the shots?
thank you for your time.

*******

I know it probably sounds dumb but in all honesty I don't care. LOL. I personally think they are setting a bad example by the shots.
this is the section I used if you are interested in voicing your opinion too. LOL
https://contactus.gmcanada.com/english/req_other.aspx

[snowbird25ca]

thanks for reminding me that I wanted to contact them. this is what I said:

My name is Misty _______. I have recently noticed your OnStar GM Canada commercial. I am going to flat out say it. I am NOT impressed. The main complaint is the last scene with the child in it. It is wrong for so many reasons.
a)there is no chest clip for the infant. And if there is it is too low cause it is not at the arm pit level where we would see it.
b) the harness is WAY too loose. I could easily fit my fist under there
and
c) the child looks too big for the seat. I could be wrong but there should be an inch of hard shell above the head and it looks to me like there is nothing of the sort.

In all honesty, it calls to my attention your lack of detail and makes me wonder about the product itself. If you pride yourself on vehicle safety shouldn't this be correct in the shots?
thank you for your time.

*******

I know it probably sounds dumb but in all honesty I don't care. LOL. I personally think they are setting a bad example by the shots.
this is the section I used if you are interested in voicing your opinion too. LOL
https://contactus.gmcanada.com/english/req_other.aspx

I think you worded that very well actually. Would you mind if it was copied/pasted and then I just added my own little thing so they didn't think it was a bulk email campaign but still had the good points you made.

I haven't seen the commercial, but from the sounds of it, it would bug the heck out of me. I have OnStar right now - I wonder if I'd get anywhere if I called them? :whistle:

[JaRylan]

I think you worded that very well actually. Would you mind if it was copied/pasted and then I just added my own little thing so they didn't think it was a bulk email campaign but still had the good points you made.

I haven't seen the commercial, but from the sounds of it, it would bug the heck out of me. I have OnStar right now - I wonder if I'd get anywhere if I called them? :whistle:

LOL, I can see it now - "Hello Onstar, just wanted to talk to you about the commercial." Push the button and ask, I dare you!

[Misty-Bug]

LOL, I can see it now - "Hello Onstar, just wanted to talk to you about the commercial." Push the button and ask, I dare you!

I DOUBLE dare you!! LOL!!
I got a response today from my email. Gee......this sounds preformed.....


"We value your comments and appreciate the time you have taken to communicate
with us.

We regret that you are offended by our recent advertizement. In today's
competitive business world, General Motors makes every effort to offer
advertising that is both original and innovative. It is never our intent to
offend an individual or group of consumers.

We understand you are sincere in your criticism and we appreciate your honesty.
If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Thank you for visiting our website.


Laura Shepel
Internet Correspondent
www.gmcanada.com

If you wish to reply to this email, please click here:
https://contactus.gmcanada.com/req_reply.aspx?iid=1-41323901&lang=ENU "


I have half a mind to reply to it and say, yeah FIX IT! LOL!

[Misty-Bug]

also you can use that letter as a body or something. Just put your own words in there or move some words around so they don't think it is a bulk letter. I would be interested to see if you get the same response I did. LOL

[snowbird25ca]

Thanks, I will.

You know the sucky thing about that reply? They're making it out as a marketing decision that has no potential to hurt people - but parents do learn what they see if they don't know better. Would they think it ok to have a 2yr old bouncing around in the back seat without a car seat?:eek: So why is it ok to focus on a child improperly restrained in a car seat?

(Rant over, I'll email them later today. AND, I will be in the car by myself later this afternoon... I'm feeling a bit mischievious and just *might* push that blue button. :cool: )

[snowbird25ca]

This is my email to them:

I'm contacting you in regards to your recent OnStar commercial.

As a certified child passenger safety technician, I see many examples of child restraint misuse on a regular basis. In fact, misuse is the norm and proper use is a rarity.

I am concerned about your current commercial and the images of the young girl in the car seat in the back of the vehicle. By publicly displaying an image of a child improperly restrained, you are setting an example to the public. Some don't have the knowledge and rely on what they see others doing. Especially since we have a growing population of Canadians whose first languages isn't English.

The child shown in your video is harnessed way too loosely and may have outgrown the child restraint. Loose harnesses are one of the most common misuses seen, and can cause death.

As a company displaying a public image & setting an example, it's important you display proper carseat use. It could save a child's life.

I would've like to have said more, but the character limit wouldn't allow. I contacted them as a GM owner & provided my VIN number. I'm hoping they reply outside the form so that I can say what I fully wanted to say instead of cutting snippets here and there. I'd actually love to get the reply sent to Misty... I have a thing or two to say about that. ;)

[snowbird25ca]

Mrs. :

Thank you for your e-mail.

We value your comments and appreciate the time you have taken to communicate with us.

We regret that you are offended by one of our television commercials. In today's competitive business world, General Motors makes every effort to offer advertising that is both original and innovative. It is never our intent to offend any individual or group of consumers.

We have forwarded a copy of your e-mail to our advertising agency.

Thank you for visiting our website!


Katherine Johns
General Motors Internet Correspondent
www.gmcanada.com

So it's not a totally canned response - wonder what the ad agency will say? I'm thinking I'm going to reply with a couple more things asking they include that in their contact with the ad agency. No time right now though, gotta get kids ready to rush out door.