Spin's Mini-Convoy

DublinWriter

There I was, stuck in traffic on Stephen's Green last Thursday lunchtime and what do I see to the left of me but 4 Mini's done up in Spin livery driving in convoy.

Despite the carbon footprint, what on earth are they doing contributing to Dublin's already worsening traffic congestion with this type of muppetery?

I thought that type of early-90's type marketing went out with Bros?

drdre

DublinWriter wrote:

There I was, stuck in traffic on Stephen's Green last Thursday lunchtime and what do I see to the left of me but 4 Mini's done up in Spin livery driving in convoy.

Despite the carbon footprint, what on earth are they doing contributing to Dublin's already worsening traffic congestion with this type of muppetery?

I thought that type of early-90's type marketing went out with Bros?

Thats great marketing.They have been going around for the past 2-3 years.Was this the 1st time you seen them

Culture2007

DublinWriter wrote:

Despite the carbon footprint, what on earth are they doing contributing to Dublin's already worsening traffic congestion with this type of muppetery?

I'm not sure what you define as muppetery, but I would assume they were conducting business. As anybody in radio will confirm, marketing is very important in connecting with your listeners. If Spin or any other radio station decide to call to businesses or colleges to interview listeners in a branded car then they have every right to do so.

It is not illegal to drive a promotional vehicle around Stephens Green. In fact, there are companies who specialise in driving moving billboards around the city centre. While your point on the environment is valid at this time, it is unfair to single out radio stations who choose to brand their stations vehicles to promote their business.

The fact that you noticed 4 branded cars to your left while driving is proof that this type of vehicle advertising stands out.

DublinWriter

Culture2007 wrote:

It is not illegal to drive a promotional vehicle around Stephens Green.

I never said it was. I just inferred that it's pretty irresponsible to be putting more vehicles out on our already congested city centre road just to shil a product.

It's a fairly jaded old radio marketing plot. All the various stations had SUVs going around the city in the 90's. The fact that Spin do it with Mini's screams "Me too! Me too!" but in a very dated "Mini-me" way.

Culture2007 wrote:

The fact that you noticed 4 branded cars to your left while driving is proof that this type of vehicle advertising stands out.

So does B.O., but you won't find me developing a sudden urge not to have a shower every morning.

Culture2007

DublinWriter wrote:

I never said it was. I just inferred that it's pretty irresponsible to be putting more vehicles out on our already congested city centre road just to shil a product.

What do you suggest as an alternative?

Radio stations need to have staff on the street covering station events. They need to move from one part of the city to another in a short space of time. I really don't see how else this would be possible without cars. These cars do a lot more than just drive around in heavy traffic.

You may find it to be a jaded marketing plot, but it's a proven way to build a brand for stations, and clients obviously find it effective as they constantly book the various promotional teams.

There are thousands of companies in Dublin who have marketing staff driving around the city. Perhaps radio stations stand out more because they're branded but that doesn't make them any more irresponsible than the next business.

DublinWriter

Culture2007 wrote:

What do you suggest as an alternative?

I'm no marketing bod, but do google what some of the leading London agencies are doing in relation to viral/contageous/buzz marketing for some very big corporate media clients.

Driving around in a little convoy is about as advanced in marketing terms as hiring a couple of dolly-bird models to pose with a suited grey managing director for a photo-op and getting it published in the back pages of the Sunday Business Post.

Culture2007 wrote:

Radio stations need to have staff on the street covering station events. They need to move from one part of the city to another in a short space of time.

Indeed they do. But you're failing to get what I'm saying here. The spin convoy is the means to the end in itself. They are not going anywhere, they just drive around Dublin bumper to tail in an ineffective way to get people to notice the brand. They aren't covering any event. They're not actually going anywhere.

Big Balls

DW your posts never fail to make me laugh away at a laptop screen.

Come on, 4 pretty but fairly thick girls working for €10 an hour driving pink cars around advertising your company?? Why wouldn't any company want to use that method?

Not to mention that most of the other Dublin stations have updated their fleets 3 times while Spin still have their 2003 cars, it's cheap as chips for them.

If you're going to blame 4 small cars on the traffic problem in Dublin you are even more OTT than I thought!!

Culture2007

DublinWriter wrote:

I'm no marketing bod, but do google what some of the leading London agencies are doing in relation to viral/contageous/buzz marketing for some very big corporate media clients.

Indeed, thats progressive and new, but when it comes to visiting listeners for competitions, on-street interviews, handing out product samples, promoting outdoor events then that type of thing will not work. There is a demand for this type of radio promotion otherwise clients would not be paying for the service and stations would not be paying for these staff, cars and other costs involved. Call it ineffective if you wish but the evidence would suggest otherwise.

DublinWriter wrote:

They are not going anywhere, they just drive around Dublin bumper to tail in an ineffective way to get people to notice the brand. They aren't covering any event. They're not actually going anywhere.

I'm not sure where you get this opinion from, it is far from the truth. Do you listen to these stations? Take a quick listen to 98FM/FM104/Spin/Q102 and you'll hear where they are going. You'll hear the on street interviews with listeners, you'll hear them promoting products and attend various events.