Consumers tend to think that if there’s no commercials on network TV, or in national newspapers, or on the radio, or on billboards, etc. That there’s no advertising.
BUT marketers have for years now realized that those above “traditional” media are sometimes way too expensive in reaching a target audience. A target that may be small in size but diverse in different ways.
This forum is an advertising medium. Who is footing the bill? (guess). Journalistic auto articles, car mags, EV enthusiast sites are great medium. All the manufacturer has to do is give ‘em the vehicle for a while to pound around in. If some auto writer is very influential just give him a plane ticket, hotel room and dinner to attend a media “event” and let him write. The Chevrolet.com website is an advertising medium. The brochure in the Chevy store is an advertising medium. Youtube videos are an advertising medium.
Tesla is the master of zero-cost advertising generating hundreds of $millions in advertising impact value. GM would love to do be able to do that.
PS: forgot: Auto Shows