Entrepreneurs Forum

19th July 2010 - Noda's unintentional 'Marmite' Campaign....

Newcastle’s largest taxi company has provided its customers with an altogether different service, thanks to a radio advertisement, a bright idea from one radio listener and some very strong opinions.

Noda Taxis’ new radio advert has divided the North East ever since it first aired several months ago, and has become their very own ‘Marmite’ campaign; people either love it or hate it! One Gateshead couple who loved the advert decided to go that extra mile to ensure their favourite advert could be heard time and again for their own amusement.

David Coulson, 39, from Felling enjoyed listening to the advert so much that his wife Shirley Anne, 26, contacted Noda Taxis personally to see if she could get a copy sent to her. Shirley Anne said “I wanted to get the ringtone for our anniversary, and decided to contact Noda directly. Almost immediately, I received an e-mail informing me that they would see what they could do. I never expected to hear anything back, but within a matter of days, we received an MP3 copy of the advert!”

David first heard the advert as he listened to the radio in his wagon whilst at work. It became a hit among his friends, who would raise a few laughs mimicking the advert.

“I was over the moon when we received the ringtone”, he stated. “I had the biggest smile on my face, and was chuckling away to myself when I opened the e-mail.”

The ringtone has proved so popular among the couple’s friends and family members, either in a positive or negative way that there have been requests for it, and it has now become a big hit!

However, not everyone has found the advert amusing, and some members of the general public have been less than impressed with the new campaign. ‘Mr Cringed’ made sure he made his feelings clear with a personal e-mail message to Noda. “Hello”, it began. “I heard your radio advertisement many times; it’s enough to make your potential customers sick. It made me cringe, and I’m sure everyone else will too. Whoever designed it needs a new job! I had to say it. Pass the sick bag!”

Eddy Binks, Noda’s Business Development Manager, said “We always appreciate feedback from the public, both positive and negative. If our campaigns get people talking, then that is fine by us! We were very happy to help the Couslons’, and are pleased that they are happy with the ringtone they now have on their phones”.

Fans who wish to hear the advert can visit www.noda-taxis.co.uk. Noda are Newcastle’s largest taxi firm and maintain a variety of vehicles available for all purposes. Their busiest office is conveniently located in the Central Station portico, and they have three other offices in the city including The Gate.

For more information, or to make a booking, call 0191 222 1 888.