Thursday, February 01, 2007

Your 2007 Doh! Marketing Award Winner

January may have just ended, but we have already witnessed the most dunderheaded marketing ploy of the year. Congrats to Turner Broadcasting for shutting down bridges and highways in Boston by placing suspicious lighting devices near public pathways.

Hanging "Lite Brite" type devices near areas that would make likely bomb targets was stupid, even if Beantowners may have overreacted a bit. In this post-911 world, you don't put anything with batteries and wires near bridges or tunnels.

Also, what genius thought it would be fun to have a cartoon character flipping off drivers? No one likes to be given the bird, even in jest.

The bar has been set too high (or is it too low?) for anyone to top this year.

Posted By John Gartner at 06:36 PM
Permanent Link: Your 2007 Doh! Marketing Award Winner | Comments (1)

(1) Comments on Your 2007 Doh! Marketing Award Winner

Really? I think Boston officials overreacted a LOT, not a little.

And as a marketing move, I think this was brilliant. If this were my brainchild (I wish!), I'd be ecstatic right now. I'd be making the same contrite noises Turner is, while behind the scenes I'd be giving the people responsible fat bonuses for all the free publicity.

"No one likes to be given the bird, even in jest." I'm sorry, but I'd venture to say that 99.9% of the target audience for this campaign (I'm one) are applauding the Cartoon Network right now, and their interest is piqued about ATHF.

Plus, I'm certain there are thousands just like me pulling their hair out wishing they could've snagged one of those devices — and those who did are going to be *heroes* among their peers for years to come.

Comments by Bill E. : Friday, February 02, 2007 at 08:48 PM

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