Unsuck DC Metro: Brand Ambassador

Friday, September 28, 2012

Brand Ambassador

Via @MeganBlake: Nice parking job Metro work truck! Not cool. @wmata pic.twitter.com/3gZe3k7d

So Metro launched yet another, very expensive looking marketing campaign called "Momentum." Metro won't say what it cost.

The agency is fast becoming a PR firm pushing the idea of transit rather than actually moving people around in an efficient, safe and economical way. It's like they're in campaign mode full-time now.

But thanks to brand ambassadors like the one above, and all of the other Metro high-jinx, none of this incessant campaigning will work. Nor should it ever be needed.

When will Metro learn that good service, a safe ride and polite employees are all the marketing it needs?

Until Metro is accountable from the top to the bottom, I don't think much will change.

As a marketing footnote, Metro was heroic in accepting money from Living Social to stay open for possible late-night, post Nationals game service. I don't think I've ever seen any organization try to glom onto another's good deed quite like Metro did.

Video of GM Richard Sarles announcing the @livingsocial late-night, post-season @nationals deal.twitvid.com/LSOBT
— @wmata (@wmata) September 27, 2012

Comments (17)

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+1 Vote up Vote down

Thomas · 652 weeks ago

People need to realize that the Tro don't care. And their best attribute is they follow after this administration, by wasting money like there is no tomorrow.

1 reply · active 652 weeks ago

+7 Vote up Vote down

@FixWMATA · 652 weeks ago

Yeah - can we all agree to stop comparing WMATA to whoever the current administration is? The two are in no way related - WMATA's been fucked through 4 Republican and 3 Democratic presidencies. Obama had nothing to do with this mess.

+12 Vote up Vote down

Stan Dessel · 652 weeks ago

He was in a hurry to fix an escalator.

You're welcome.

1 reply · active 652 weeks ago

-9 Vote up Vote down

anon · 652 weeks ago

you're an idiot

+10 Vote up Vote down

hrh king friday 13 · 652 weeks ago

"Momentum." Who's naming these PR campaigns?? How about we call the next one "Extortion" or "Suck+". There. Now Metro owes me a $200K consulting check.

2 replies · active 651 weeks ago

+10 Vote up Vote down

AnonDC · 652 weeks ago

If you do the graphics for the "Extortion" and "Suck+" program, we'll give you an additional $115k fee.

0 Vote up Vote down

Kara · 651 weeks ago

Maybe I should file a copyright for "rush-" ...

+15 Vote up Vote down

Ryan · 652 weeks ago

"Momentum" is just another sauce that Metro is using to disguise the fact that they are feeding their customers shit sandwiches.

+4 Vote up Vote down

guest · 652 weeks ago

Metro extorted the region. I don't see how anyone can not see that.

+6 Vote up Vote down

UnSuck Fan · 652 weeks ago

Eh, I like "Downward Momentum" much better than just "Momentum".

+3 Vote up Vote down

Rory · 652 weeks ago

Any chance that truck would be blocking a lane if it parked in one space? It looks at least 5 feet longer than the space.

2 replies · active 651 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

dddddda · 651 weeks ago

This is true. And knowing some people who own really big trucks, I know this is how they park. However, when they do so, they do it FAR away from the entrance. They made the decision to buy the big truck, they take the responsibility to park it out of people's way and inconvenience THEMSELVES with a longer walk.

-1 Vote up Vote down

Rory · 651 weeks ago

Unsuck: Is this the Jason's Deli at Rte. 7 and Pimmit Drive (not far from the West Falls Church Station)? If so, the truck is parked at the side of the building, and not in the enormous parking lot in front, and this is really just a hit job on whoever parked there.

Knowing this website, please look for my other posts before assuming that I am connected to Metro. I am infact a critic, but I live in Pimmit Hills, and if this is indeed the same Jason's then this picture is very fishy.

+2 Vote up Vote down

Annie · 652 weeks ago

From WMATA's website: "LivingSocial and Metro keep the trains running for baseball fans in DC throughout postseason"

...I know Metro is physically "running" the trains, but I think LivingSocial had slightly more to do with it.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Allison · 652 weeks ago

The font of the logo on the "Momentum" campaign gives me the heebie jeebies. Why incorporate the Metro M and then make the other M's so different... surely they paid some exorbitant amount for this heinous logo

1 reply · active 652 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

The Anti-TB Guy · 652 weeks ago

Maybe it's MoMentum, meaning "more mentum"?

men·tum [men-tuhm] http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mentum
noun, plural men·ta [-tuh]
1. Entomology . the medial plate of the labium in insects.
2. Botany . a chinlike protuberance formed by the sepals and the base of the column in some orchids.
Origin: 1685–95; < Neo-Latin, Latin mentum chin, akin to mouth

Medical Dictionary
mentum men·tum (me(n't?m)
n. pl. men·ta (-t?)
The chin.

I don't know, I'm confused -- more chins?

+2 Vote up Vote down

Tricky Dick · 652 weeks ago

"Momentum" - what Metro trains would get if they actually moved?

"Momentum" - what causes Metro buses and trains to hit unsuspecting folks

"Momentum" .....I could go all night with these...