FIAT on Motorweek TV Show

[baltobernie]

Mike Bouse didn't rise to the bait, so I guess I'll have to post this ...

In addition to local TV coverage, this years FFO also attracted some staffers at Motorweek, a long-running TV show produced by Maryland Public Television. MPT was probably nudged by Lisa Barrow, Motorweek's former "What's New" segment personality, now doing PR for Chrysler. Lisa attended FFO, and appears on the Philly TV segment we've all seen.

Anyway, Motorweek editor Steve Chupnick contacted FLU, who contacted Mike Bouse, who e-mailed all FLU members in Maryland asking for a classic Fiat to be used as a backdrop in this weeks show. FLU members spread the work amongst DC Fiats membership (some FLU members aren't DC Fiats members, and vice versa). Steve chose Richard Ridge's beautiful Turbo Spider http://www.flickr.com/photos/rridge/3953168851/ from the many who auditioned. Mike's e-mail arrived at 9 PM on Wednesday, and the show was taped on Friday!

The episode airing this weekend will feature Richard's car behind host John Davis as he talks about FIAT's re-entry into the North American market. Motorweek is nationally syndicated on public television, and also appears on the SPEED channel.
http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/stationlist.shtml

[mbouse]

distracted to tears this week. sorry for not posting the alert. hopefully someone can "tape" this episode and post a link for all to share? i will be out of town and won't have the opportunity to view the show.

[kmead]

That Mike Bouse, always going for the glory and tooting his horn...

Nice work connecting the right people to further not only our fun but the maker as well, maybe we will end up being able to drive new Fiats if you keep it up.

Wouldn't much mind a Barchetta... or whatever replaces it.

[mbouse]

har har... i'd settle for driving a 1969 850 Sport Coupe, or maybe a 1970 124.... oh... well. we can always dream, 'eh?

i didn't do anything that you guys wouldn't have done. no credit belongs to me.

[baltobernie]

I'm surprised nobody has commented on this episode; it's not often we're on national TV.

Personally, I thought Motorweek's coverage didn't do FIAT any good, and reinforced the popular image of the brand and it's owners as quirky. That 5-second clip of guys pushing a car into position for the photo probably did more damage to the brand than anything I can think of in recent memory. "Any airtime equals good publicity" only applies to celebrities.

[pope]

Yes the story was more about Fiat, but I wish it had more Spider content than it did. Really the three points were a Ferrari Coupe, a bastardized X 1/9, and the new 500. I guess we'll have to invade a Ferrari show to get Spider air time. Nice though overall.