Buick, Martha Stewart Launch New Sedan

Martha Stewart is pardoned, by General Motor Corp. anyway.

Stewart, who has revived her media superstar career after serving prison time in an insider-trading caper, is helping GM tout its new Buick Lucerne.

She gave away a Lucerne to an audience member of her daytime TV show. On her prime-time show, “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” teams competed to design a dealership launch showroom display for the fullsize sedan.

Several Buick dealerships subsequently hosted VIP Premiere Nights for the launch.

The primo party planner's influence was apparent at those events, from the hors d'oeuvres to the punch, both featured in the “Perfect Party Handbook,” a 20-page entertainment guide by Stewart in cooperation with Buick.

The Buick-Stewart partnership “reaches those customers interested in upscale brands who might otherwise be unaware of the Lucerne's potential,” says Margaret Brooks, Buick marketing manager.