Bank of America captures audience, annoys said audience, sets audience free
 I am, as I write, on the phone trying to activate my Bank of America card. I’ve done all the right things—entered my bank card number, my expiration date, last four numbers on my social security number—but do I get to have my card activated to the soothing sounds of Yanni? No. I get to sit through a histrionic pitch for their identity theft protection services, which the recorded message tells me “is one of the best ways to stop thieves from destroying everything you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.” Scare tactics. Nice. You know, eventually, you have to set a captured audience free. And if they don't come back to you, it's your own fault. At least Fallon’s approach for Citibank had America laughing all the way to identity protection. Come to think of it, I’m switching back to WaMu, where the nice guy in the blue polo shirt feeds penned up bankers big vats of caviar and champagne from a hamster bottle. Who says advertising doesn’t work?
—Posted by Deanna Zammit
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April 13, 2006 | Permalink
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Comments
actually, you've just reminded me - i had to sit through that b.s. last week and i vowed to pen an angry letter. it's an unfair tactic to utilize a captive audience by scaring them into identity theft protection (which, just like any other program mimicing credit card insurance, is probably total hooey as well). by the time the spiel was over (upwards of 5 minutes, at least) i was about ready to end my 5+ year relationship with BOA.
the worst part is that the ad becomes longer each time i hear it, divided with pathetic bursts of "are you sure? i wouldn't want you to miss this GREAT opportunity."
Posted by: del ruby | Apr 13, 2006 1:51:45 PM
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