GM Dumps Big Fuel, Is SMG Next?

Looks like all the tips that we’ve been receiving over the past month regarding General Motors cutting Big Fuel from its agency roster have been realized as Adweek is reporting that the automaker has indeed parted ways with the Publicis-owned social media shop. One tipster on 11/23 sent us a note saying, “Big fuel fired from Gm biz. Not rumor, fact. Contract expires 12/31, not to be renewed.” So, maybe the 60-day notice that Big Fuel allegedly received from GM was for real after all. According to Adweek‘s story, though, the breakup won’t spell the end of Big Fuel’s Detroit office, which currently houses 15-20 staffers (spies are saying the number is actually under 10), though we’ll see how they maintain come 2012.

While we’re on the GM tip, there have been rumors floating around recently saying that Carat was on its way to winning the automaker’s $3 billion global media account, which went into review in August. From what we’re hearing now, this could actually be true as reliable sources are telling us that it’s “99 percent likely” that Starcom MediaVest, which has handled media buying/planning duties in the U.S. for GM since 2005, is losing its business. We’ve sent inquiries to the parties involved to get clarification but have yet to hear back. Don’t be surprised, though, if this all pans out by Xmas.

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