Have you noticed anything different about your local phone box recently? Of course not. No one gives phone boxes the time of day anymore. So, it’s surprising that Pepsi has used them as part of its latest marketing campaign.
Pepsi’s Lipton brand has taken over 5,000 ‘street kiosks’, close to convenience stores, to promote its Peach Iced Tea drink. And I must say, it looks good. But, I don’t think it’s enough to make me, or any other young person, buy a bottle.
That’s why Lipton’s partnered with KISS FM, to prompt interaction, by encouraging people to answer the phone inside a special ‘booth’ when it rings for a chance to win prizes. But, is this London-centric competition enough to give Lipton a good return on investment?
When growing up my friends and I would ring 118 500 to find out local phone numbers (exciting I know!) In more recent years the only time I’ve used one is after I was mugged and needed to ‘phone home’.
I’m not the only one turning my back on local phones. An average of just one call is made each day from the 58,500 phone boxes left in the UK. So, it’s no surprise BT is rapidly losing money from them.
Which leaves me to ask the question: id no one’s using them, is anyone noticing them and is it worth taking the risk?
The campaign’s saving grace is that Lipton’s supported it with a social media strategy, complementing KISS FM‘s, to widen its reach – with added value digital advertising on the side.
But, it doesn’t change the fact that its phone box stunt could be left on hold.
I don’t know. I could be wrong. Perhaps
more brands will leverage phone boxes’ appeal to create unique advertising opportunities. Time will tell.
What do you think – is it a peachy PR campaign or just immobile?