Isuzu Moves U.S. Media Planning and Buying to GM Planworks

CERRITOS, Calif.--Jan. 31, 2002--American Isuzu Motors Inc. has awarded its U.S. media planning and buying accounts for its line of sport utility vehicles to General Motors Planworks, Detroit, and General Motors Mediaworks, New York, effective March 1, 2002. GM Planworks is a unit of B:Com3; GM Mediaworks is a unit of the Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc.

In making the announcement, Rick Balsiger, American Isuzu Sport Utility Vehicle Division Vice President of Marketing and Product Planning, said, ``The decision to move our media planning and buying to GM Planworks and Mediaworks reflects our desire to continue to take advantage of our relationship with General Motors and the marketing efficiencies that can result from it.'' The two agencies offer integrated media planning and buying operations for General Motors' domestic automotive nameplates, Saab, and other subsidiaries. GM owns 49 percent of Isuzu Motors Limited, American Isuzu's parent company.

GM Planworks and GM Mediaworks assume these responsibilities from Media Planning Group, New York, a division of Havas Advertising. MPG, formerly SFM Media, held the account from 1982 to 1987 and from 1991 to the present.

Balsiger noted, ``MPG has been a valued partner to American Isuzu for many years and we wish them great success in the future. At the same time, we are also looking forward to our new partnership with GM Planworks and GM Mediaworks.''

Bob Frank, former president of SFM Media, expressed his appreciation for the long-standing relationship with American Isuzu Motors. ``We greatly appreciated this relationship both on a business and personal level and take satisfaction in the contributions we have made,'' he said.

Advertising creative responsibility for American Isuzu's SUV Division remains with Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, San Francisco.

American Isuzu Motors Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility vehicles and diesel engines. For more information call (800) 662-2464 or access http://www.isuzu.com