They’ve got spirit…how ’bout you?
You have to hand it to Spirit Airlines. It’s not very often a second tier carrier makes headlines around the world for something other than a disaster, but Spirit manages to make you look. The problem is, at least for me, I’m looking…but it’s with disdain.
Spirit’s latest ad mocks the oil spill in the gulf. Really? Maybe you should at least wait until the oil stops pouring into the ocean killing wildlife and putting thousands of Americans out of work. Is it too soon? Ya think?
When is it OK to make fun of a natural disaster? Frankly I find this campaign so offensive I can’t imagine a time now or in the future when I’d book a flight on this airline. The company has made global headlines today for this campaign — but is it really true that all PR is good PR?
Here are some of the headlines:
- Spirit Airlines Loves That You Hate Their Ads (and They Should)
- Sexy Spirit Airlines ad that mocks BP oil disaster sparks outrage
- ‎Airline ad gets folks burning mad
- Spirit takes heat over new oil ads
- Oh My, That’s Just Bad Taste
I think they crossed the line from humor to just plain poor taste. And I have a damn good sense of humor! But there’s nothing funny about dead dolphins.
Brett Snyder over at BNET for one thinks the ad campaign is “brilliant.” He says:
As an ultra low cost carrier, Spirit is looking to keep costs low in every part of their business. All they have to do is slap a tasteless ad on their website and they get free national advertising.
Snyder is not alone in this view (I’ve even said all PR is good PR at times), but blaming the media for covering these ads is a cop out for the real story. Spirit is guilty of poor judgment.
Tweet
Add your Comment
Want Your Picture Icon? Go to gravatar.com and set a picture up to your email address for free. It also works on thousands of other websites, too!
Categories
Recent Comments
the rumors are true (@ Neighbor from the 90′s)...
Sorry to see you go. avic-x920bt
First the Space Shuttle program and now this???? OH NO!...
I think it’s really funny that Jason donates money...
Sad to see you go Mr Len… been a great ride
Blogroll
- Acme Photography
- Brain Matter
- Brian Shaler
- Convince & Convert
- Depth in PR
- Espresso Pundit
- Full Speed Marketing
- HMA Time
- Hoi Polloi Report
- It's About The Work
- Liquis Design Blog
- Mighty Interactive
- Off Madison Ave
- Park & Co.
- Park Howell
- Phoenix Defense
- Phoenix SEO
- PR Advice
- Quaintise
- Random Tuesday Morning Ramblings
- Sitewire Blog
- SoCal PR Blog
- Stealthmode Blog
- tdhurst
- The Marketing Journalist
- The One to Go To
- The PR Practitioner
- Think Fast
Comments
June 24th, 2010 at 10:18 am
Ironic, isn’t it? I’d never heard of Spirit Airlines, until they started channeling the “spirit” of Ebenezer Scrooge, with their plans to charge passengers to use the lavatory and carry on a bag. Maybe they subscribe to the “desperate times call for desperate measures” theory.
June 25th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Hi Len,
Ruth Rosenquist, my friend and associate, sent me a link to your post which I really enjoyed reading. You and I are living in parallel universes in the western U.S. Thought you might like to see my blog post on the same subject.
http://brandstand.cohnmarketing.com/2010/06/slimy-brand-marketing-courtesy-of-spirit-airlines/
Jeff