Is all publicity good publicity?
We all know the value of good media coverage, but I am unsure whether Ryanair’s latest publicity stunt has attracted the right sort of attention.
It seems that I am not the only one shocked by Ryanair’s latest decision to introduce standing spaces on their flights.
There are numerous comments posted on PR and marketing website, Brand Republic in response to the standing room announcement. Each post criticises Ryanair’s annoucement as little more than a publicity stunt.
Entrepreneur has put together the top 10 successful marketing stunts and amongst them is the good, the bad and the ugly. My personal favourite is Burger King’s effort in 1996 when they advertised the left-handed whopper although it was an April Fools day joke, people were going into the restaurant and ordering ‘lefties’.
The right handed community even called for their very own burger. Burger King has continued to ‘amuse’ their customers with creative gags and it seems to work well for the brand.
However Ryanair are certainly not cracking any laughs with their latest announcement and talks have already begun with Boeing, so unfortunately this is no laughing matter.
Standing room does not seem to be popular with members of the public as comments have flooded into the Daily Mail and Telegraph all criticising the low-cost airline.
Although some may feel that ‘all publicity is good publicity’ I would be inclined to disagree, this lastest annoucement has made me and many others think firstly, how can I reach my destination without using Ryanair.
Only time will tell as to whether Ryanair made the right decision to promote its standing room spaces and if nothing else it has shown that they are comitted to deliver the cheapest flights on the market.