Tag: mary barra

SNL Rips Mary Barra and GM in Opening Sketch [VIDEO]

mary barra

Saturday Night Live (SNL) did a parody of the congressional hearing for tonight's episode with GM's CEO Mary Barra for the opening sketch over the General Motors (GM) ignition switch recall.  (In case you didn't know GM knew of the problem but didn't recall millions of vehicles which lead to 13 known deaths at the current time.)  Barra was played by SNL cast member Kate McKinnon who did a good job of playing the role not answering questions.

The opening sketch highlighted how during Mary Barra's testimony before Congress she dodged questions and avoided answering anything that members of Congress threw her way.  The way SNL portrayed it she essentially acted like she didn't know anything and wasn't aware of any problems GM had over the ignitions switches, steering columns, and other faulty mechanical components.  This has lead many to say Barra has done as good a job of being an automaker CEO as any man… since you just don't give any straight answers.

The Saturday Night Live segment also touched on how the GM honchos and executives are trying to point out the differences between “Old GM” and “New GM” which is sort of a ridiculous.  Why?  Because US taxpayers bailed them GM out back in 2009 and the company would not be around today if we hadn't done that.  Marry Barra's SNL sketch touched on this still sore point for many Americans.

Hate to say this but when SNL rips you in it's opening sketch for the week you pretty much know that your public relations is not going very well.  In addition your PR team isn't doing it's job very well and probably should be fired.

The Mary Barra GM ignition recall skit appeared on April 5th, 2014 with Anna Kendrick hosting and Pharrell Williams as the musical guest.  (They were not part of the opening sketch though.)

Did you see the SNL sketch making fun of the GM congressional hearing with Mary Barra?  If you did, what did you think of it?  Did Kate McKinnon portray Barra accurately?  Does GM deserve to be ridiculed on Saturday Night Live?  Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts.

UPDATE: The video was not avaialbe to openly share by Saturday Night Live and NBC when I posted this but now it is. Check it out here!

Mary Barra SNL Congressional Hearing – GM Ignition Recall

Mary Barra will be GM’s Next CEO, becoming first Women to head a major automaker

mary barraGeneral Motors has announcement that the next CEO to head the automaker will be Mary Barra, GM”s current director of Global Product Development.  She was elected by GM's Board of Directors and will retain a seat on the board as GM's new CEO.  Barra will take over the position on January 15th, 2014 only about 1 month away.

This announcement by GM has sent shockwaves throughout the automotive and technology industry as Barra will be the first women to head a major automotive company.  It is seen as a big step forward for women in the corporate executive space.

Some might be wondering what Mary Barra's qualifications are to run GM?  She has 33 years of experience at the American automaker and is an engineer.  Barra has rose through the ranks through various of positions in manufacturing, engineering, and senior staff positions including the job she currently has.  She directs GM's overall product line and is responsible for saying what should be built, and what should not.  Oh yeah, her father worked at GM for several decades too as a diemaker.

“With an amazing portfolio of cars and trucks and the strongest financial performance in our recent history, this is an exciting time at today’s GM,” said Barra. “I’m honored to lead the best team in the business and to keep our momentum at full speed.”

With Mary Barra coming in as the new CEO that means someone has got to go.  Dan Akerson, the companies current CEO, will be stepping down in January.  He is leaving several months early due to the the fact his wife was recently diagnosed with cancer.  Akerson joined GM in 2009 as a member of its Board of Directors and was named GM Chairman and CEO on September 1, 2010.

“My goals as CEO were to put the customer at the center of every decision we make, to position GM for long term success and to make GM a company that America can be proud of again,”  commented Akerson  “I will leave with great satisfaction in what we have accomplished, great optimism over what is ahead and great pride that we are restoring General Motors as America’s standard bearer in the global auto industry.”

Mark Reuss will taking over Mary Barra's position.  Reuss's old job was overseeing the North American product development.  This includes the launches of the Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Impala and Silverado pickup.

Everyone seems to believe the glass ceiling has been broken in the auto industry.  Some believe this is a significant step forward for GM and they will star to make ever better cars.  What are your thoughts about Mary Barra being named the new CEO of General Motors?  It this a positive or negative thing for GM as company?