Sunday, March 25, 2007
Act On Wasted Public Money and Then Act on CO2
I had a little rant a while ago about the FSA's advertising campaign that directed listeners to search for some keywords and find their PPC ad rather than issue a URL at the end of the ad. As it happens, I've since heard the same ad but with different ending using the URL instead. Now, the FSA isn't funded by the tax payer so if they want to urinate their budget up the wall, than good luck to them.
This week I heard another advert on the radio, which had the same ridiculous advice. This time it was to do with CO2 emissions from cars, and is part of a campaign from the Department For Transport. Instead of giving the website address for more information, it ended with "search online for 'act on CO2'".
I've checked, and the PPC adverts are in place which take you to the relevant government website.
This is a pointless and unjustifiable waste of public money, thrown away in a misguided advertising campaign that could have been saved by simply stating the website address and not the direction to 'search online'.
This week I heard another advert on the radio, which had the same ridiculous advice. This time it was to do with CO2 emissions from cars, and is part of a campaign from the Department For Transport. Instead of giving the website address for more information, it ended with "search online for 'act on CO2'".
I've checked, and the PPC adverts are in place which take you to the relevant government website.
This is a pointless and unjustifiable waste of public money, thrown away in a misguided advertising campaign that could have been saved by simply stating the website address and not the direction to 'search online'.
Labels: advertising
Permalink // posted by Rob @ 11:46 PM 
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LOL - I got a similar couple I was actually involved in - unfortunately my point of view was not to be heard as I was in a minor position (despite being very vocal about them.)I basically derided the decisions being made as stupid and a waste of public money.
The head of marketing and promotion at a certain Welsh section of a certain well known Broadcasting Corporation made a two of the most pointless advertising campaigns ever seen on TV. To say he didn't get 'online' was an understatement - either he didn't get it, or was being extremely pissy after not getting the position of 'head of the online department' *Cough*...
The one made a brand that turned the standard URL in to a phonetic one that was then marketed over the sites proper homepage - so /wales became /slashwales on the TV ads. Instead of the homepage with all the gubbins and news, links etc. People were directed to a pointless portal about the homepage and all the stuff about it.
The adverts were cryptic to say the least, and at no point even highlighted they were about a web site.
Then, the best was yet to come, the next campaign introduced a group of puppets who this time at least were on computers. Once again though, rather than give out the advice to go to the homepage, this time the public was basically being told - 'Go to a search engine and enter what you want.'
Not - go to *our* homepage - *advertise URL* then search for what you want but go to *any old search engine* and search for what you want... I pointed out at the time that our SEO was shit, and actually, our site didn't show up for many search terms as a result of the teams poor practice when it came to SEO basics.
But no, the adverts went out, no URL was published on them and the bad advice was given instead. Given that the service is paid for by public money, I couldn't help but wish our head of department had the balls to stand up to the stupidity - but as they didn't get 'online' either, the ridiculous campaign run - and so did our money...
The head of marketing and promotion at a certain Welsh section of a certain well known Broadcasting Corporation made a two of the most pointless advertising campaigns ever seen on TV. To say he didn't get 'online' was an understatement - either he didn't get it, or was being extremely pissy after not getting the position of 'head of the online department' *Cough*...
The one made a brand that turned the standard URL in to a phonetic one that was then marketed over the sites proper homepage - so /wales became /slashwales on the TV ads. Instead of the homepage with all the gubbins and news, links etc. People were directed to a pointless portal about the homepage and all the stuff about it.
The adverts were cryptic to say the least, and at no point even highlighted they were about a web site.
Then, the best was yet to come, the next campaign introduced a group of puppets who this time at least were on computers. Once again though, rather than give out the advice to go to the homepage, this time the public was basically being told - 'Go to a search engine and enter what you want.'
Not - go to *our* homepage - *advertise URL* then search for what you want but go to *any old search engine* and search for what you want... I pointed out at the time that our SEO was shit, and actually, our site didn't show up for many search terms as a result of the teams poor practice when it came to SEO basics.
But no, the adverts went out, no URL was published on them and the bad advice was given instead. Given that the service is paid for by public money, I couldn't help but wish our head of department had the balls to stand up to the stupidity - but as they didn't get 'online' either, the ridiculous campaign run - and so did our money...
Hey, thanks for that contribution. Seems you've seen this madness close up. Good to know the licence fee is in such good hands LOL.
I could tell you stories that would boggle your mind... But that one had to be got off the chest, if I'd have realised it was such a big post - I'd have saved it for meself. :D
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