One thing missing in many of these responses is the fact that auto shows are a major shopping tool for consumers. Press Days, Industry Days, Charity Previews aside, auto shows are for consumers. Yes, some people come to the show simply because they like cars (and often these types like "hot cars", which yes, pairs…

I think they'd all fall under the general title of "product specialist," (vs. model) in the context of this conversation, but the difference is in the role they execute on the floor and their level of training and compensation. The individuals who are employed as models on press days likely don't receive any training…

I'm the director of PR for Productions Plus - the Talent Shop. We're the leading provider of auto show product specialists in the country and anywhere from 40-60% of the product specialists at U.S. auto shows are our talent. We're a $50M company representing 16 OEMs and we've staked our business on the notion that the…

Well its good to defend booth babes. But I think a little more honesty is in order. Both GM and Dodge gathered some pretty well spoken and fairly attractive girls to be spokesmodels.

I've been going to the NYC car show as far back as the Colisieum days and have watched the progression from booth babes to professionals who actually know about the car they are standing next too. The last "babe" I talked to was on the arm of some intoxicated douchebag and I swear she was a he. You see alot of these…

Modelling is a job. Good looking women experience leering and staring when in public. Some are willing to be paid for it, and even like being paid for it, and can make a good living doing so. Should we banish good looking women from society, to prevent them from being the subject of unwanted attention? Should we, say,…

And another thing: It's awkward. For me. Here I am wandering around, casting a lecherous gaze at this motorcycle or that coupe and I suddenly find myself making eye contact with an exploited model (emphasis added by me). First of all, the muscles in my face aren't developed enough to be able to configure themselves to…

There are two levels of people at these shows, and I'm not against getting rid of the lower-level type of booth professional, but this piece assumed they were all the same. That's my issue.

That article was terrible. He should try to actually talk to the product specialists. Yeah they look good but all the ones I have interacted with *hint* Heather Heughens *hint* to name a specific example, were extremely knowledgeable on the brand and/or model they were representing. That and at I've seen men and women…

I've asked many a booth professional tough question that would completely flummox a car salesman, they nearly always have the answer with additional info to boot. If they don't know the answer, they find it quick! But I do have to say that many cars are sexy, sculpted pieces a automotive art, and a beautiful woman…

Using Attractive people to sell things? Disgracefulness, where are all the undesirable Booth Professionals? I want to see more muffin tops and patchy neck beards.

Booth pros are an extension of Sales and, like salespeople, tend to be on the attractive side (YMMV). These folks are the face of the company and, while they are not all going to be super model-attractive, they definitely won't be Quasimodos, either.

The people, both men and women (I didn't once see Vella acknowledge that there are men who do this), who stand next to the cars are more than just eye candy. They're often well-trained, seasoned professionals who travel from show to show with the cars and know as much (or more) about it than any salesperson.

Burt, I usually agree with you. But I posted this earlier in a different thread and feel it bears repeating here. ....
I'm clearly in the minority here, and I don't know Jared whatshisname outside of being Dean on "Gilmore Girls", and I'm sure his PR people tore him a new one. But he does have a point. Honestly, PSH…

Jaguar just made a huge deal about buying their first car commercial. Maserati told no one and just dropped the mic on them.

Makes no sense for the Ghibli. That's a blue collar gut check American pride commercial, nothing about it says Maserati.