Fuel Pulls a Trojan Horse on City of Miami

6-08.SW.MIAMI.%28HEINEKEN%29.MI.391.jpg

Cheesiest email-based PR pitch ever: "Let's hope your tequila comes with a sunrise in Miami, cause now ALL of their public bus shelter advertising is illuminated by solar panels. Check out the pics I attached."

Apparently Fuel/Miami "donated" 600 solar-powered bus shelters to the city of Miami in exchange for an exclusive 20-year advertising contract on those shelters. Hear the plops? Those are three dead birds, shot down by one stone: Fuel contributes to the community, demonstrates its commitment to the environment and scores insanely pervasive ad space FOR 20 YEARS.

More chummy PR chatter: "For real though, I guess if I have to have a Spanish Heineken ad in my face while waiting for the bus at night, it might as well be solar powered." Ha. Ha. Smarmy, yo. Smarmy.

More pics here and here.

by Angela Natividad    Sep-17-08   Click to Comment   
Topic: Agencies, Cause, Outdoor, Poster   

Enjoy what you've read? Subscribe to Adrants Daily and receive the daily contents of this site each day along with free whitepapers.



Comments



Comments

I wonder what the initial cost of the bus shelters was? Obviously someone did a cost/benefit and decided this was a good thing, but what are the risks of a 20 year investment?

1) A change in key ridership demographics
2) The discovery of cheap and plentiful fuel sources leading to decreased bus ridership
3) Implementation of new bus lines that pull customers
4) An earthquake leveling the city

Posted by: ADMAVEN on September 17, 2008 9:58 AM

I sometimes don't understand treehuggers. I mean - nice ideas, but they're just never practical.

I've got to agree below. It seems like a win/win deal - the citizens get bus shelters, Fuel gets outdoor space. Without deals like this how is any city going to be able to afford new anything????

Besides, with the financial fallout that's going on things like this are going to be even more important if citizens want amenities - NYC alone is going to lose an estimated $100 Million in tax revenue because of lost jobs and companies.

Posted by: Madison Guy on September 17, 2008 2:22 PM

I sometimes don't understand treehuggers. I mean - nice ideas, but they're just never practical.

I've got to agree below. It seems like a win/win deal - the citizens get bus shelters, Fuel gets outdoor space. Without deals like this how is any city going to be able to afford new anything????

Besides, with the financial fallout that's going on things like this are going to be even more important if citizens want amenities - NYC alone is going to lose an estimated $100 Million in tax revenue because of lost jobs and companies.

Posted by: Madison Guy on September 17, 2008 2:23 PM

I'm sorry, am I the only one that doesn't see a problem with a Spanish Heineken ad? Hrrmmm....I've definitely had to stare at much worse in Miami.

Posted by: Katrina on September 17, 2008 2:24 PM

WAY TO GO FUEL!!!!!!

Seriously, nice way to help Miami!!! I'm sure none of the people waiting for the bus are complaining!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: jack ceplan on September 17, 2008 2:30 PM

Wow, adrants' cynicism is strong with this one. These advertisements are going to be there no matter what, so they may as well be environmentally friendly.

Good job Fuel!! Let's hope you're starting a trend.

Posted by: Thom on September 17, 2008 3:02 PM

Honestly, what could be better than to be seen and green all at once? Good one Fuel.

Posted by: steph on September 17, 2008 3:05 PM

Wow, adrants' cynicism is strong with this one. These advertisements are going to be there no matter what, so they may as well be environmentally friendly.

Good job Fuel!! Let's hope you're starting a trend.

Posted by: Thom on September 17, 2008 3:05 PM