Got a problem with potholes in your city? Sick and tired of waiting for the government to get around to fixing them? Call the Colonel:
Don't be surprised if you see Col. Sanders out filling potholes. In an
unusual cause-marketing push, KFC is tackling the pothole problem in
Louisville, Ky. in exchange for stamping the fresh pavement with
"Re-freshed by KFC," a chalky stencil likely to fade away in the next
downpour.
"This program is a perfect example of that rare and optimal occurrence when a company can creatively market itself and help local governments and everyday Americans across the country," said Javier Benito, exec VP-marketing and food innovation at KFC. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson noted in a statement that budgets are tight for cities across the country, and finding funding for road repairs is a dirty job. "It's great to have a concerned corporation like KFC create innovative private/public partnerships like this pothole refresh program."
"This program is a perfect example of that rare and optimal occurrence when a company can creatively market itself and help local governments and everyday Americans across the country," said Javier Benito, exec VP-marketing and food innovation at KFC. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson noted in a statement that budgets are tight for cities across the country, and finding funding for road repairs is a dirty job. "It's great to have a concerned corporation like KFC create innovative private/public partnerships like this pothole refresh program."
And there's more
The KFC program appears to be part of a growing body of
consumer-service marketing that connects in a meaningful way. This past
holiday season, Charmin provided a public restroom in Times Square for the third year running. The company has also developed an application for iPhone and BlackBerry that helps consumers find toilets when the need arises. Samsung has installed electrical charging stations in many major airports to help travelers stay connected while in limbo.
I can hear detractors now: "But they only did so out of greed." To which I would respond: so what? If the result matters, who cares about the motivation?
HT King.