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Internet, Marketing, social media
Don’t be so serious all the time
Going on a trip means seeing new things, meeting new people, tasting different food, making memories. It’s supposed to be fun! And as tourism marketers, it’s ok to have fun in public as well. And on the internet, you really have no choice. Here are a few examples.
White House
Somebody started a petition on whitehouse.gov suggesting the government to build a death star. The whitehouse response is hilarious! Including the title “This Isn’t the Petition Response You’re Looking For”
The Administration shares your desire for job creation and a strong national defense, but a Death Star isn’t on the horizon. Here are a few reasons:- The construction of the Death Star has been estimated to cost more than $850,000,000,000,000,000. We’re working hard to reduce the deficit, not expand it.
- The Administration does not support blowing up planets.
- Why would we spend countless taxpayer dollars on a Death Star with a fundamental flaw that can be exploited by a one-man starship?
Samsung
Someone ‘asked Samsung for a free phone. He posted on Samsung’s Facebook page and included a home drawn picture of dragon in return.
Samsung responded in style, with a picture of a kangaroo on a unicycle. Funny!
This caused a lot of PR for Samsung and they ended up sending a free phone anyways. With the dragon on it. Smart!
Thomas Cook
And then there’s Thomas Cook. A UK resident with the same name asked for a trip to Paris for all the grief he’s had over the years with a name like that.
Great to hear from you! Unfortunately we are unable to give away free holidays. Please see Thomascook.com for the best available price.
Stupid! Of course you can’t give everybody a free vacation but at least use some humour like Samsung did. Although in this case they should have jumped on it. What an opportunity wasted.
Lowcostholidays swooped in and gave Mr. Cook his trip to Paris, scoring a big PR win.
Moral of the story? Don’t be afraid to have some fun. And be quick when an opportunity arises. Marketing in 2013 demands it.
William Bakker's Destination Marketing blog
William Bakker is Chief Strategist at Destination Think!. These are my personal thoughts.
