The give away was handled in classic Oprah style as Winfrey invited 11 studio audience members up onto the stage and surprised them with the announcement that they have won a new G6.  To get the rest of the audience into the act, gift boxes were handed out and the audience was told that one of the boxes contained the keys to a 12th car. 

Advising them to hold off on opening the boxes until a count of three, the entire audience was shocked with the discovery that they all had won a new car. 

The give-away cost GM $7 million and was the kick off of their $50 million marketing campaign for the new mid-sized car. The impact of the Oprah giveaway was seen instantly as traffic to Pontiac.com increase 8-fold on Monday, according to Reuters. 

The marketing blitz is expected to last four months and Oprah will be involved for the next three. Her official website will feature the new car and Reuters reports that her production team is discussing ideas about shows that will feature winners and how the new car had changed their lives. 
 
 

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