Z&C Poll: Charmin Promotion – Over the Line or Smart and Fun?
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We’ve seen brands respond to the challenge of conversation-centric marketing in vastly different ways. Some have reacted by becoming even more cloistered; others are testing the outer boundaries of taboo. Charmin’s latest promotion shows that CPG, at least relative to this brand, has chosen the latter path.
John Jordan, a member of Media Logic’s xTeam, came across a CNET.com article this morning about Charmin’s promotion. It generated quite the conversation at Media Logic:
From: John Jordan Odd story, but should be interesting: Charmin to pay 5 people $10k to blog, and share experience in a makeshift bathroom.
From: Patrick Boegel It might be insane, but the methodology from P&G is likely spot on. This campaign will generate attention and receive coverage from bloggers and the media. Regardless of the tenor of the coverage, good or bad, people will be writing about this promotion for awhile.
From: Ron Ladouceur Maybe it’s because I came of age in the earthier 70s, but to me this sounds like a fantastic Social Juice promo (though, in this case, “juice” might be an ugly word). Can you imagine how great a sell it took to get a bunch of P&G execs to sign off on “enjoy the go?” Hats off! Frankly, I think the author of this review sounds a bit constipated. She could use a Charmin break. Time will tell if Charmin’s latest promotion will be a success or failure. But, at least around here, it’s got people talking. What do you think? Does the latest Charmin Times Square bathroom campaign push past the boundaries of good taste or is it an effective exploitation of a taboo subject?