Comments on: Kayak Satirical Ads :: CGM and Ads May Sting http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/ Public Relations :: Marcom Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:39:01 -0600 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Robert http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/comment-page-1/#comment-3161 Robert Wed, 19 Jul 2006 20:54:51 +0000 http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/#comment-3161 Thanks, Todd. Well, you seem calm and un-riled here. I can see how some might think the effort could be an astroturfing effort - left-leaning political messages (some, at least) in the ads of a small company (30 people) reaching big audiences (millions) through their ads and Web site. I still kind of doubt it is an astroturfing effort based upon my email communications with Paul English. Paul is upfront about his own political views, but relates that the other founders and employees perhaps balance everyone out as a moderate company. After all, if the two top people are on both sides of the fence and they are the ones that make the decisions to run ads, perhaps this is all just an edgy satirical effort by Kayak.com.s I will note that the campaign is getting them a great deal of buzz and the meme about the tone / tenor of the ads has not really taken off to wildly. Guess time will tell. Thanks, Todd. Well, you seem calm and un-riled here. I can see how some might think the effort could be an astroturfing effort – left-leaning political messages (some, at least) in the ads of a small company (30 people) reaching big audiences (millions) through their ads and Web site.

I still kind of doubt it is an astroturfing effort based upon my email communications with Paul English. Paul is upfront about his own political views, but relates that the other founders and employees perhaps balance everyone out as a moderate company. After all, if the two top people are on both sides of the fence and they are the ones that make the decisions to run ads, perhaps this is all just an edgy satirical effort by Kayak.com.s

I will note that the campaign is getting them a great deal of buzz and the meme about the tone / tenor of the ads has not really taken off to wildly.

Guess time will tell.

]]> By: Todd http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/comment-page-1/#comment-3159 Todd Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:21:37 +0000 http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/#comment-3159 Robert, I read up on your "astroturfing" theory, and it is intriguing. Based on conjecture, I do apply that label to the "Kayak.com" television/ internet campaign. I simply can not see how it could be anything but astroturfing, as (despite claims to the contrary) the humor contained in these spots take a decidedly one-sided view of the controversial topics that are tackled. Given the rather simplistic nature of the website, and the temerarious approach that has the possibility of alienating millions of potential "customers" right out of the gate, I see the start of a disturbing trend here. I was riled up enough to speak out on the YouTube site. -Todd Robert,

I read up on your “astroturfing” theory, and it is intriguing. Based on conjecture, I do apply that label to the “Kayak.com” television/ internet campaign. I simply can not see how it could be anything but astroturfing, as (despite claims to the contrary) the humor contained in these spots take a decidedly one-sided view of the controversial topics that are tackled. Given the rather simplistic nature of the website, and the temerarious approach that has the possibility of alienating millions of potential “customers” right out of the gate, I see the start of a disturbing trend here. I was riled up enough to speak out on the YouTube site.

-Todd

]]> By: Robert French http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/comment-page-1/#comment-3151 Robert French Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:55:48 +0000 http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/#comment-3151 Hey Meredith, I've actually received emails back from Paul English about this campaign and I'll be sharing them with you in class. I won't be publishing the replies as they are private conversations. However, he has some interesting insights about how his company is addressing the potential issues. I will tell you that he confirms that they did consider the potential risks of the ads and PR was in the room on those discussions. We'll have some interesting things to consider when we discuss this in class. Take care. Hey Meredith,

I’ve actually received emails back from Paul English about this campaign and I’ll be sharing them with you in class. I won’t be publishing the replies as they are private conversations. However, he has some interesting insights about how his company is addressing the potential issues.

I will tell you that he confirms that they did consider the potential risks of the ads and PR was in the room on those discussions.

We’ll have some interesting things to consider when we discuss this in class.

Take care.

]]> By: Meredith http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/comment-page-1/#comment-3150 Meredith Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:32:19 +0000 http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/#comment-3150 Robert I have to say I'm glad I visited your site today. This campaign is a riot! I thought the ads were funny, unique and full of life. While I do agree that this campaign was a bit of a "crap shoot" ads today are all about taking risks right? There is the important info. to remember and that's "ticking off alot of people/consumers" but hey if they are ticked off then they are paying attention. Which is exactly what the company wants. Attention for their ad campaign. Some people may need to develop a little thicker skin as this was a refreshing choice of advertising and did not offend myself. Robert I have to say I’m glad I visited your site today. This campaign is a riot! I thought the ads were funny, unique and full of life. While I do agree that this campaign was a bit of a “crap shoot” ads today are all about taking risks right? There is the important info. to remember and that’s “ticking off alot of people/consumers” but hey if they are ticked off then they are paying attention. Which is exactly what the company wants. Attention for their ad campaign. Some people may need to develop a little thicker skin as this was a refreshing choice of advertising and did not offend myself.

]]> By: Shelby’s Thoughts on PR and Social Media » I’m next to join the Anti- Astroturfing Campaign http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/comment-page-1/#comment-3149 Shelby’s Thoughts on PR and Social Media » I’m next to join the Anti- Astroturfing Campaign Tue, 18 Jul 2006 21:25:54 +0000 http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/#comment-3149 [...] I’m next to join the Anti- Astroturfing Campaign Filed under: Public Relations — shelby @ 5:25 pm Astroturfing describes, “the posting of supposedly independent messages on Internet boards by interested companies and individuals In American politics, the term is used to describe formal public relations projects which deliberately give the impression that they are spontaneous and populist reactions. The term comes from AstroTurf — the fake grass used in many indoor American football stadiums.” This is the definition from Answers.com. Astroturfing is not only immoral, it is illegal, and public relation agents have been using this method as a means to publicize their product or organization. The Anti-astroturfing campaign began with Paull Young and Trevor Cook. You can view their campaign by clicking here. Paull and Trevor decided to take a stand against astroturfing after looking more closely into the PRIA. The anti-astroturf supporters and I feel strongly about this because it’s a practice that is in no way ethical and when it is performed under the guise of PR it makes our profession look terrible. For those who are still onfused and want to read examples of astroturfing, read Robert French’s view on the Kayak.com ads. Since I am a student and do not have the opportunity to take a stand within my organization, or company, this is my way of helping this campaign and getting the message accross to stop astroturfing. « Blogging and Public Relations Questionnaire   [...] [...] I’m next to join the Anti- Astroturfing Campaign Filed under: Public Relations — shelby @ 5:25 pm Astroturfing describes, “the posting of supposedly independent messages on Internet boards by interested companies and individuals In American politics, the term is used to describe formal public relations projects which deliberately give the impression that they are spontaneous and populist reactions. The term comes from AstroTurf — the fake grass used in many indoor American football stadiums.” This is the definition from Answers.com. Astroturfing is not only immoral, it is illegal, and public relation agents have been using this method as a means to publicize their product or organization. The Anti-astroturfing campaign began with Paull Young and Trevor Cook. You can view their campaign by clicking here. Paull and Trevor decided to take a stand against astroturfing after looking more closely into the PRIA. The anti-astroturf supporters and I feel strongly about this because it’s a practice that is in no way ethical and when it is performed under the guise of PR it makes our profession look terrible. For those who are still onfused and want to read examples of astroturfing, read Robert French’s view on the Kayak.com ads. Since I am a student and do not have the opportunity to take a stand within my organization, or company, this is my way of helping this campaign and getting the message accross to stop astroturfing. « Blogging and Public Relations Questionnaire   [...]

]]> By: Astroturfing :: Another Bane of Bad PR Practice at infOpinions? http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/comment-page-1/#comment-3145 Astroturfing :: Another Bane of Bad PR Practice at infOpinions? Sun, 16 Jul 2006 16:20:04 +0000 http://www.auburnmedia.com/wordpress/2006/07/16/kayak-ads-satirical-and-risky/#comment-3145 [...] Camp ASCCA   Bookmark This Post - Social Bookmarks:                       Tags: astroturf, astroturfing, best practice, newprwiki, OpenPR, paull young, PR, public relations, Public Relations Education, Social Responsibility, trevor cook, Corporate Social Responsibility « Kayak Satirical Ads :: CGM and Ads May Sting [...] [...] Camp ASCCA   Bookmark This Post – Social Bookmarks:                       Tags: astroturf, astroturfing, best practice, newprwiki, OpenPR, paull young, PR, public relations, Public Relations Education, Social Responsibility, trevor cook, Corporate Social Responsibility « Kayak Satirical Ads :: CGM and Ads May Sting [...]

]]>