Tag: Charmin Bathrooms

Challenging Times

Posted on by Drew Neisser

One thing is for sure, these are challenging times… to find a fresh headline. Here are two I found on pages 9 & 10 in the first section of the WSJ today:

  • In these challenging times…
  • In a challenging economy…

That said, we know business is bad because even Santa’s can’t find work. The WSJ reported on this as a national problem a couple of weeks ago and the New York Post noted “It’s a Lost Clause” in the city as well.

So, what’s a savvy marketer to do, scramble for a new approach to reflect the times or stick with a tried and true Marketing as Service experience? I know, I know–my bias is showing. Sue me.

Great Marketing as Service programs age nicely and become more cost effective with time. Witness the BankCab which is in its sixth year of driving loyalty to HSBC. So you can imagine my relief when I heard on the radio this morning that the Charmin bathrooms are coming back to Times Square for their third in-stall-ment! P&G is clearly on a roll with this program which reaches thousands in a true time of need.

And speaking of third-timers, I’m even more excited to report about ElfYourself 3.0 which is a shoe-in for the viral hall of fame. This JibJab creation, is just the kind of silly service that will bring holiday cheer to all who seek it and will keep Office Max top-of-mind even in these challenging times. Click here to see my silly creation.

Hopefully, my bad puns haven’t distracted you from the main point–find a service that your prospects and customers truly appreciate and run with it until you’re certain its time to find a new one.

When you’ve got to go

Posted on by Drew Neisser

Could walking toilets really be Marketing for Good? No, I haven’t lost my mind. These particularly walking toilets will be promoting a program that offers tourists access to clean bathrooms in Times Square 364 days a year (visitors on Christmas Day will have to make do elsewhere).

Here’s the deal–those bear-loving folks from P&G have decided to host a 20-stall restroom in Times Square stocked to the rim with Charmin. Rather than flush marketing dollars down the drain of traditional media, P&G is investing in a program that addresses a real problem and a fundamental human need (”when you gotta go, you gotta go”).

My prediction is that visiting tourists will be forever grateful to Charmin for the relief provided and gladly begin a long-term relationship with this brand. As for me, I can’t wait to get my picture taken with one of those portable potties. Claudia Deutsch of the New York Times covered this story in detail this morning.