GM's Michael Jackson To Leave Automaker

General Motors's VP-marketing and advertising for North America is responsible for more than $2.3 billion in marketing spending. At least for the next couple of weeks.

Michael Jackson is leaving the automaker to "pursue other opportunities". The departure is effective June 15 and his responsibilities will be assumed by his boss, Mark LaNeve, VP-sales, service and marketing, North America, with whom it is rumored that Jackson clashed.

Advertising Age characterizes Jackson as one that "initiated dramatic changes during his short tenure as marketing czar, dropping longtime Cadillac agency Leo Burnett, Troy, Mich., and Saturn's agency, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco, without reviews."

More at The Wall Street Journal (paid sub)

Comments

[D. Rawls]

Though Mike Jackson seems to be making an early exit from the Blue Behemoth at GM, there may be an exact strategy to his departure. While turbulence is a natural occurrence while at the top, the hoops Jackson jumped through to advance his agenda for GM dominance in an a stale domestic auto marketing environment here in the U.S. proved more than what it could be worth. The company of blue suited, white haired cohorts who envisioned only a lofty retirement surely caused undue obstruction to Jackson's fresh and earnest vision for a hearty future for GM products in a marketplace vastly different (and fast changing) than the one which existed when the bureaucracy was protected by the absence of a truly competitive marketplace.

Indeed, I can relate to Jackson's decision to pursue other avenues of success. In some instances, if the courage and drive of the leadership does not allow the team a feasible opportunity to win the big game, then the option to become a free agent can become a very attractive one.