--- title: GM CEO Fritz Henderson discusses new marketing image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1600973479-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20120a5e45d31970c-75wi.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/2009/09/gm-ceo-fritz-henderson-discusses-new-marketing.html#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # GM CEO Fritz Henderson discusses new marketing September 22nd, 2009 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1600973479-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20120a5e45d31970c-75wi.jpg?width=75&height=75&name=6a00d83451f23a69e20120a5e45d31970c-75wi.jpg) UPDATE: On December 1, 2009, Fritz Henderson was ousted as CEO by the GM board. Read my [open letter to Ed Whitacre, new interim CEO of GM](https://www.webinknow.com/2009/12/open-letter-to-ed-whitacre-new-interim-ceo-of-gm.html). +++++++++++++++ [![General_motors_logo](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/file-1600973479-jpg/blog-files/6a00d83451f23a69e20120a5e45d31970c-75wi.jpg)](http://freshspot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451f23a69e20120a5e45d31970c-pi) Yesterday I spent the day at [General Motors](http://www.gm.com/) world headquarters in Detroit at the invitation of the [GM social media communications team](http://www.gmblogs.com/). I met a bunch of interesting people, drove some cool cars, and learned a great deal. *I’ve got so much to share that I'll be blogging exclusively about GM for the rest of the week.* First up is my video interview with Fritz Henderson, President and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors. We discuss what helps to sell cars, including "new marketing" (brand journalism, blogs, online video, etc.) as well as the more traditional television commercials plus the importance of word of mouth. The video is 11 minutes. Below are some times if you want to skip to a particular part of the video. My favorite (lightly edited) quote: *“Word of mouth is the number one influence on the decision to buy a car... Social media democratizes providing word of mouth to a much broader audience.” * Filmed with [my Flip video camera](https://www.webinknow.com/2009/05/a-flip-video-camera-in-every-marketers-and-customers-pocket.html) and edited on iMovie. [Direct link to the video here. ](http://www.vimeo.com/6700273) **:00 - 2:40** How marketing and communications has changed in the 25 years that Henderson has been with GM and what hasn’t changed: Word of mouth. **2:40 – 4:00** The role of Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and other instant tools to get information out. **4:00 - 5:40** How people consume information on *their* time. **5:40 – 8:50** The importance of corporate produced video and the continuing role of traditional media and TV commercials for broad consideration and tactical offers. **8:50 – 11:00** Fritz Henderson provides advice to other CEOs about new marketing and connecting with customers. Tomorrow I'll post a video interview with Bob Lutz, GM Vice Chairman, Marketing and Communications. Watch for additional blog posts throughout the week. [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Social Media ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/social-media) [ Twitter ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/twitter) [ Public Relations ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/public-relations) [ Case Studies ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/case-studies) [ Marketing ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/marketing) [ Advertising ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/advertising) [ Brand Journalism ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/brand-journalism) [ Best Practices ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/best-practices) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Artemis%20earthset.jpg?width=5568&height=3712&name=Artemis%20earthset.jpg) ### Nasa’s Artemis II Lunar Mission: A PR Triumph for the USA April 11th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/nasas-artemis-ii-lunar-mission-a-pr-triumph-for-the-usa) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Moltbook.jpg?width=1536&height=1024&name=Moltbook.jpg) ### Moltbook: A Social Network for AI Agents Where Humans Can Only Watch February 3rd, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/moltbook-a-social-network-for-ai-agents-where-humans-can-only-watch) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-29%20at%2010.27.19%20AM.png?width=835&height=466&name=Screenshot%202025-10-29%20at%2010.27.19%20AM.png) ### Don’t Fly Wizzness Class Video from Dave Carroll October 29th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/dont-fly-wizzness-class-video-from-dave-carroll) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Chef%20Todd%20Edwards.jpg?width=1500&height=1010&name=Chef%20Todd%20Edwards.jpg) ### Pulling Back the Curtain to Show What Happens Behind-the-Scenes October 15th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/pulling-back-the-curtain-to-show-what-happens-behind-the-scenes) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DMS%20BM%20hybrid%202004.jpg?width=1432&height=966&name=DMS%20BM%20hybrid%202004.jpg) ### The Fandom Playbook: My New Book and Companion AI Chatbot September 24th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-fandom-playbook-my-new-book-and-companion-ai-chatbot) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg?width=1500&height=1084&name=Stefano%20Paciotti.jpg) ### The Ham Whisperer of Rome: How Stefano’s Honest Videos Won the World’s Heart June 24th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/the-ham-whisperer-of-rome-how-stefanos-honest-videos-won-the-worlds-heart) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LinkedIn%20comments.jpg?width=1114&height=737&name=LinkedIn%20comments.jpg) ### Comments Are the Key to LinkedIn Engagement January 29th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/comments-are-the-key-to-linkedin-engagement) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kolkata%20Chai%20Ani%20and%20Ayan.jpg?width=1236&height=858&name=Kolkata%20Chai%20Ani%20and%20Ayan.jpg) ### Brewing Authenticity: How Kolkata Chai Co. 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