This Horribly Insensitive Marketing Campaign Is Everything Marketing Shouldn't BeAn airport parking reservations site recently used the death of a man at Chicago's O'Hare airport as an opportunity to promote its service. Customers were outraged. As they should have been.
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Cutthroat is one thing. Disgraceful is another.
Last week, after a man was found dead in the parking lot ofChicago's O'Hare International Airport, the airport parking reservation and deals websiteAirportParkingReservations.comused the death as an opportunity for convincing customers to use its service.
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The company sent out an email to its customers with a coupon for $5 off and the warning "Don't be late and end up in a crate. Save stress and possibly anything worse by utilizing technology and reserving all your travel needs in advance,"the email said. The subject line was "Can On-Airport Parking Kill?"
Unsurprisingly, customers were offended. As they should be. There's a line, and professionals should know better. Nah, humans should know better.
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After being called out for sending the promotional email, AirportParkingReservations.com was apologetic both on Twitter andvia email-- but it's appalling that they would think to cross the line to begin with.
Got a promotional email from@airport_parkingwhich is using a man's death as promo material. Extremely offendedpic.twitter.com/rgCqjz6IHv
— Chris Britton (@iamchrisbritton)September 22, 2014
@iamchrisbrittonWe sincerely apologize about this mistake and can only extend our apologies to you and all those offended.
— Airport Parking (@airport_parking)September 22, 2014
@airport_parking@myfoxchicagoYour comment "Don't be late and end up in a crate", to sell parking on back of dead man at Ohare is horrible
— Mark Carroll (@markcarrollnow)September 22, 2014
@markcarrollnowWe sincerely apologize about this mistake and can only extend our apologies to you and all those offended.
— Airport Parking (@airport_parking)September 22, 2014
Glad I wasn't the only one to take@airport_parkingto task over their tasteless email this morning.#营销pic.twitter.com/WP1xDVVLUy
— Caitlin Childs (@nerdcoregirl)September 22, 2014
@nerdcoregirlWhat the holy WTF.@airport_parking
— Scott Starr (@awaltzforvenus)September 22, 2014
@awaltzforvenus@airport_parkingmy thoughts exactly. I am so ashamed to work in marketing when people like this are out there too.
— Caitlin Childs (@nerdcoregirl)September 22, 2014
@nerdcoregirl@awaltzforvenusWe sincerely apologize about this mistake and can only extend our apologies to you and all those offended.
— Airport Parking (@airport_parking)September 22, 2014
