• by Tanya Gazdik , May 22, 2016

GMC has chosen actor Josh Duhamel as its campaign ambassador for an effort supporting veterans.

In honor of Military Appreciation Month, and as part of the ongoing relationship between GMC and veteran support program “Building for America’s Bravest,” the brand is promoting the foundation’s work to build smart homes for severely injured service members.  The effort is a continuation of the brand’s #enlistme activity started in 2015.

GMC has committed to contribute up to $2 million by the end of 2016 and is asking people across the country to “enlist to unlist” the more than 200 severely injured servicemen and women currently waiting for smart homes.

The General Motors Corp. division has enlisted actor Josh Duhamel in an effort to increase awareness and raise funds. The #enlistme campaign features two pieces of unique content hosted by Duhamel, that introduce viewers to some of the veterans who have benefitted from the work of the program.

GMC recognized the important scope of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its program Building for America’s Bravest, which is supporting a list of more than 200 severely injured servicemen and women across the country waiting for smart homes and began to search for opportunities to help, says Rich Latek, director of marketing for GMC.

“Just as GMC engineers innovative technology within its vehicles, so too is the charity devoted to integrating smart technologies into the homes for the veterans,” Latek tells Marketing Daily. “That said, we felt our likeminded organizations would make for a great partnership. With the #enlistme campaign, GMC invites everyone to honor these brave veterans for their service by showing their support to enlist to unlist by making a donation.“

There are no plans to work with Duhamel beyond the #enlistme campaign, Latek says. However, there will be more to come for that campaign in the future, he says.

In a documentary-style film, Duhamel meets Marine Sgt. Ben Tomlinson at his smart home in Jacksonville, Alabama to speak with Tomlinson and his family about their journey and the positive impact this home has had on his life. The mini documentary will be available to view and post beginning May 26.

In 360 Skydive, two severely injured veterans, Marine Cpl. Todd Love and Army Staff Sgt. Stephen Valyou, complete a skydive to celebrate the feeling of independence that smart homes give to veterans. The unique 360-degree video debuted May 21.