Chrysler's 'It's Halftime in America' top automotive video in YouTube's Ad Blitz contest

(February 18, 2012) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — The votes have been tallied and Chrysler Group has secured the top automotive ranking and second place overall in YouTube's Ad Blitz 2012 contest. In its fifth year, the YouTube Ad Blitz program is one of the largest consumer polls of Super Bowl ads. Its online and interactive gallery of Super Bowl commercials allows users to view and vote on their favorite ads.

The Chrysler Group's "It's Halftime in America" video came in second place overall in the annual contest. The M&M "Just my Shell" video came in first. Third place belonged to Bud Light "Rescue Dog" was third and Chevrolet's Chevy Silverado "2012" came in fourth. The top five was rounded out by Doritos' "Man's Best Friend" video.

"It's Halftime in America" was created to rally Americas together by using the Chrysler Group and Detroit as inspiration. The Chrysler brand's "Born of Fire" commercial earned a first-place ranking in last year's contest.

"'It's Halftime in America' is about a mission, not about a product. It is about the spirit that motivates our embracement of this mission," said Sergio Marchionne, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler. "The 2-minute video portrayed the essence of Chrysler Group's commitment and how we are working toward the future.

"We don't presume to teach anything or show our way as the right way ahead. Our message to the United States came from people who felt a duty to encourage the country they love. It was simply a way of saying that everyone, in the land of opportunity, has the right to dream and the power to turn that dream into reality."

With more than 17 million views, web traffic to the Chrysler Group brand sites has dramatically increased since the 2-minute production aired just before the start of the second half of Super Bowl XLVI.

"We are humbled and honored that the voters named Chrysler Group as the top auto and second-place winner in YouTube's Ad Blitz 2012 contest," said Olivier Francois – chief marketing officer.

The Chevrolet ad depicts scenes of destruction following a catastrophic event related to the 2012 end of the world scenario. Silverado drivers meet as apparently the only survivors.