DETROIT: Numerous PR execs for auto companies and suppliers will find their names struck off the guest list for the global auto industry's biggest event, Detroit's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January.
DETROIT: Numerous PR execs for auto companies and suppliers will find their names struck off the guest list for the global auto industry's biggest event, Detroit's North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January.
The organizers of the show are cutting back drastically on credentials for press preview days due to its spiralling popularity, according to Joe Rohatynski, Franco PR VP and NAIAS account manager. 'In consultation with committees of key media and auto company PR execs, we decided to keep PR staffers away from press previews except where they're needed,' he said. Suppliers and their PR teams will be restricted to their own preview days following the media events.
'There's a core of well-established automotive writers who cover auto shows globally,' he said, 'and they've been complaining about way too many credentials being issued. Too many people on the (show) floor is making it difficult for them to do their jobs.'
The show this coming January will open to the public Saturday the 13th and run through the 21st. It will be preceded by media days Sunday through Wednesday, supplier days Thursday and Friday, and the traditional big black-tie charity fundraiser the night before doors open to the public.
Last year, automakers unveiled 59 new vehicles at the NAIAS, with 42 news conferences in four days of media previews.
For the show last January, some 6,300 credentials were issued for media days, Rohatynski said. Even after restricting auto show camp followers, he still expects 'several thousand' media credentials to be issued this year.
Journalists come from all over the world for the show, both those who cover the auto beat and specialists seeking niche stories - fashion, for example. 'Dot-coms are a whole new breed we have to accommodate,' he added.
