Buick ends Woods' contract

Buick and Tiger Woods seemed an ideal partnership however with a year still to run in the contract they have agreed to end their endorsement . The deal was believed to be worth $7 million a year.

Confirming their parting of the ways on Tuesday, Buick's marketing manager, Larry Peck said: "Timing is everything.
"We've had such a great partnership with Tiger. It's hard for us to walk away from that. But this frees up time for him to spend more time with his family. And it sure frees up a lot of money for us."

Tiger Woods has not just been carrying the Buick logo on his bag, he has been used in commercials and promotions to try and give what had become a stogy brand a more youthful image.

The director of Buick showed 78 percent of consumers who bought the SUV had not been previous Buick owners.  Peck added “We attribute awareness of our product to Tiger.”
The US auto industry is having one of its worst financial crisis’ in history and has called for bail out help from the government. By Tiger Woods leaving it gives a high statement that GM are serious about cutting costs.
Buick said last week that it would also be cutting back significantly on its deal with the PGA Tour  to provide courtesy cars at PGA Tour events.

They have already cut their advertising costs for the 2009 Super Bowl however there are still plans to sponsor the NFL and possibly air ads before and after the Bowl game. Not only have they cut back on sporting events but the Oscars and Emmy Awards in 2009. This is the first time in more than a decade it will not be running ads before, during or after the two events.

PGA Tour events are now worrying as no tournament is safe.