Who wins?
By Carman Pirie: May 27, 2010
My considerably better half and I had a great time this past May two-four long weekend touring southern New Brunswick by motorcycle. Along the way we stopped off at the Hopewell Rocks – one of New Brunswick’s signature tourist attractions along the famous Bay of Fundy. Highest tides in the world, etc. Following an enjoyable twenty minute walk along a coastal trail, we arrived at the lookout where folks can take in a view of the famous Flower Pots complete with an adjacent cafe, etc.
Oh, and trash receptacles.
With ads.
Like this one:
Who wins with advertising like this?
My bet is that this ad will deliver exactly zero customers to Ponderosa Steakhouse. Zero. Money wasted.
As a park visitor, this surely doesn’t enhance my visit. In fact, it makes it worse. I’ve already paid $8.50 per person for admission – how much would it cost to make my visit to one of the world’s 7 natural wonders ad free?
Even if the New Brunswick government got the trash cans for “free”, they’re costing them every single day. Penny wise, pound foolish. Interruption marketing at its worst, perhaps.
What do you think?
May 27, 2010
3:24 pm
A wasted opportunity for the park to post a message about its environmental commitment, a reminder about another nearby natural wonder, a reminder to treat nature with respect and care, or a notice about an upcoming naturalists event… if you’re GOING to post a message, make it a relevant, contextual one. It’s not likely someone’s looking around Hopewell Rocks thinking, “the only thing that could make this better is an unlimited salad bar!!”
May 27, 2010
3:31 pm
but… but… kids under 3 eat free!!!
May 27, 2010
3:32 pm
I think you’re right. I also think food + garbage are a particularly horrible match.
May 27, 2010
3:38 pm
Good point, Ian
. Great post, Carman – spot on.
Jeff
May 27, 2010
6:33 pm
I agree it will likely backfire. When I’m in a park, I’m there to unplug, and let nature sell itself to me, if anything needs to be sold. I’m there definitely to get away from things like advertising.
It bugs me when messages invade neutral territory like this.
On a related note, I’ve heard that Parks Canada, at least, Kejimkujik Park in particular, is looking at having wireless access at its campsite. I’m not a fan of that idea either.
May 27, 2010
8:58 pm
Agree completely on the Keji point. I turn off my iPhone once I hit Bridgewater as the damn thing loses signal shortly after anyway, and I’d hate to be able to get online there! It’s so not the point.
I think this post raises a broader point though: We’re constantly having our personal spaces invaded. Where does this need to stop? We all agree that 5km back in the woods should be ‘messaging’ free, but what about other places of personal retreat? You can’t ever really get away from it…
May 27, 2010
8:59 pm
and i should add, everyone in this thread has added to the noise in some way. are we as at fault as ponderosa?