Traveling in an AC BEST bus is great, especially now that the summer has started. But they really need to do something about the stuff that plays on the TV screens inside. I hadn't been able to change the songs on my phone for the whole past week. And I was too tired to read a book on my way back from office one day last week. There was nothing interesting on any of the FM channels. So I just sat in my seat, looking at the cars and people rushing home in the evening rush hour. It would have been relaxing, if it were not for the stuff playing in a loop on the 2 TV screens in front of me. Even though I made it a point not to look at them, there was precious little I could do to block out the sound.
First there were promos of 3 shows - Tota Weds Maina, Hum Aap Ke Hain In-laws and Jeanie Aur Juju. If I ever had any intention of watching any of these shows, it has gone right out the window. It was enough listening to the promos. Then there are ads - of Future Generali, of some Mukhawas and one really irritating one of a woman who is suffering from back pain. I don't know what the product is despite watching, and hearing it, countless number of times. That's because the image of her shaking her backside after applying the balm or pain relief cream, or whatever, is simply idiotic. That's supposed to advertise that the product relieved her of her pain. Really?
How difficult is it to put together a package that will be interesting, educating and entertaining? The newspapers are full of bad news. You don't have to go far to look for it. So how about a compilation of good projects carried out by ordinary people or by government employees who really want to make a difference? There can be short lessons in English or some foreign language. Maybe some information on the latest trends in technology, health tips, quick nutritional recipes, lessons on financial literacy? Given the fact that most of the people who board these buses are office-goers who usually travel for long distances, a whole package can run for 45 minutes or so and then loop over.
We all know BEST needs to earn revenue and so advertisements are here to stay. But can we please not play the same ones over and over again? That's not marketing, that's de-branding!
Is there anyone out there who is listening?
First there were promos of 3 shows - Tota Weds Maina, Hum Aap Ke Hain In-laws and Jeanie Aur Juju. If I ever had any intention of watching any of these shows, it has gone right out the window. It was enough listening to the promos. Then there are ads - of Future Generali, of some Mukhawas and one really irritating one of a woman who is suffering from back pain. I don't know what the product is despite watching, and hearing it, countless number of times. That's because the image of her shaking her backside after applying the balm or pain relief cream, or whatever, is simply idiotic. That's supposed to advertise that the product relieved her of her pain. Really?
How difficult is it to put together a package that will be interesting, educating and entertaining? The newspapers are full of bad news. You don't have to go far to look for it. So how about a compilation of good projects carried out by ordinary people or by government employees who really want to make a difference? There can be short lessons in English or some foreign language. Maybe some information on the latest trends in technology, health tips, quick nutritional recipes, lessons on financial literacy? Given the fact that most of the people who board these buses are office-goers who usually travel for long distances, a whole package can run for 45 minutes or so and then loop over.
We all know BEST needs to earn revenue and so advertisements are here to stay. But can we please not play the same ones over and over again? That's not marketing, that's de-branding!
Is there anyone out there who is listening?
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