Last week, GMC announced it would be rolling out an all-new advertising campaign to bolster its “Professional Grade” roots. “Like a Pro” effectively replaces “Precision” and comes with a much more direct message.
“Precision,” the outgoing campaign, highlighted areas of the product to help cement GMC as a more luxurious offering among crossovers, trucks and SUVs. “Like a Pro” makes the consumer think a little bit and is almost whimsical in its execution. Yet, it’s plenty masculine.
So, we’re here to ask: is it a good idea to replace “Precision” with “Like a Pro”?
Our opinion? Absolutely. GMC is positioned to continue being a hot seller in a market hungry for utility vehicles. Couple that with GMC’s notoriously healthy transaction prices—Denali accounts for quite a few sales these days—and a honed marketing message seems like a proper play to us.
But, we want to hear from you. Do you dig “Like a Pro”? Vote in our poll and talk to us down below.
Comments
Seems like a better line for trucks, vs Acadia/Terrain/Yukon.
And not sure if a Pro would opt for the oldest truck design in the category.
But time will tell.
Too early to make a call, but with sales figures being what they are, I imagine there’s some pressure to stem declining Sierra sales.
Like a pro implies it is not a pro. So they are going from professional grade to not so much.
‘Like a Pro’ is only the second step of a three step marketing process for GMC. This was all planned out long ago.
As for our Canadian market, GMC remains very healthy. Even outdoing Chevy most of the time.
This is to imply you need this vehicle to be a pro. They are talking to those who are not pro because the lack a GMC.
I thought the ” Professional Grade ” / ” Precision ” commercials were some of the best coming out of GM , and thought that is what helped propel the Denali line to what it is today .
It was something that should have been shared with Cadillac .
With the new Acadia and Terrain a new advertising tag will only help GMC .
Shouldn’t GMC be trying to widen it’s base as opposed to going mucho macho man brand a la Ram?
Precision made for a luxury SUV brand broadly aimed at all consumers.
GMC isn’t about guts and glory. This is a good thing.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first, but once I had some time to think it over, I realized that many people who buy luxury vehicles tend to be a little on the egocentric side, so this will probably resonate a little bit better with them. They will see the message and think to themselves “Yeah, I’m a pro” and that might sway them to look into GMC a bit more. Sounds silly, but it may actually work.
You are spot on. The whole Denali deal is about personal ego and image.
The Denali for the most part is no better truck than the nearly invisible SLT. It can be had with neatly the same options but people do not notice it.
I recently became a Denali owner due to a great price. I got it for the price of the SLT on the Denali.
Now that I have it I hear oh you got a Denali! Or oh we know who is making all the money etc. the truth is I hit a deal. But I now see first hand how the public perception is of the Denali line.
People precive the Denali as being the best or being special. Many see it as the vehicle they want and not everyone can have. This exact image is what Cadillac is working to but it takes time, investment and marketing like GMC is going.
The key to good marketing is a good tag but you need to make it evolve over time and with the product.
The bottom line is GMC is a hold mine of profit and it will continue to advance as such. There is no $15,000 rebates on the GMC like Ram more is the resale in the tank line a 3 year old Ram.
The Denali appeared to be silly when they started to use it but the plan has paid off big time.
Even the Like a Rock For Chevy was awesome but even it grew tired.
You may like the present one but until, you reach more people you need to continue to grow and adjust the marketing to reach those not stirred yet.
Does any type of ads really help sell cars or trucks? I mean I think people decide on what type of car or truck they are going to buy!
No. It’s a laughable campaign that will have every intelligent prospective buyer thinking in his head, “This ad is directed at douchnozzles and I’m not going to drive a truck driven by douchnozzles.” The message? “Hey man, who wants to be a decent guy, man, I’m a PRO.” Douche chills.
So you care about what other people think? Sad!