For generations, vociferous cabbies have shared their unique, faux-leather perspective with passengers - but now marketeers have their eyes on the humble cabbie as another opportunity to pitch their products at us.
The Times reports on a London cabbie who, courtesy of the Thai tourist board, sampled the delights of Thailand and now – in a cab sporting a new ‘visit Thailand’ motif – is sharing his experience with passengers. The theory is that word of mouth advertising like this is worth the extra investment in an increasingly ad-saturated consumer environment.
For all of us in the PR industry, word of mouth communication is an intended by product of our work and an integral part of the service we provide, but for many the thought of paying for it crosses ethical and moral boundaries.
As Alex Burmaster’s comment in PR Week points out, word of mouth led activity requires the delicate relationship management public relations practitioners are well versed in. It’s quite a risk allowing your message to be communicated through agents who feel no loyalty or legal obligation to you or your client.
I for one certainly don’t believe what every cabbie tells me, but it’s a worrying thought that in the near future swathes of service providers - not to mention people talking loudly on the bus or in the supermarket - are walking, talking adverts.
Actually, that reminds me. Did I tell you about the PR agency I’ve just started working for……..?
The Times reports on a London cabbie who, courtesy of the Thai tourist board, sampled the delights of Thailand and now – in a cab sporting a new ‘visit Thailand’ motif – is sharing his experience with passengers. The theory is that word of mouth advertising like this is worth the extra investment in an increasingly ad-saturated consumer environment.
For all of us in the PR industry, word of mouth communication is an intended by product of our work and an integral part of the service we provide, but for many the thought of paying for it crosses ethical and moral boundaries.
As Alex Burmaster’s comment in PR Week points out, word of mouth led activity requires the delicate relationship management public relations practitioners are well versed in. It’s quite a risk allowing your message to be communicated through agents who feel no loyalty or legal obligation to you or your client.
I for one certainly don’t believe what every cabbie tells me, but it’s a worrying thought that in the near future swathes of service providers - not to mention people talking loudly on the bus or in the supermarket - are walking, talking adverts.
Actually, that reminds me. Did I tell you about the PR agency I’ve just started working for……..?
No comments:
Post a Comment