In 1965 The Meter Maids were formed in Surfers Paradise, Australia. Young women wearing gold bikinis, necklaces and tiaras, walked the streets of the popular beach town feeding coins into expired parking meters, and leaving behind (pun intended) their calling cards under the car windshield wipers.
Not only did they save folks from parking tickets, they provided great photo opportunities — with the brand name making it into every bikini shot. The photos were taken around the world and shared– all before social media’s word of mouse phenom (h/t Scott Forcino)
Even mainstream media jumped on them… figuratively speaking.
The brand, with all the publicity and goodwill generated by their good deeds and good looks, became symbolic of the town (it remains to this day!).
And, for the marketing minded, their bodacious good works helped elevate a business. (for the record, the MM idea was born out of opposition to the parking meters)
Now, I am not suggesting real estate agents copy the Meter Maids in dress, (though that might work to attract the Gen Y rental crowd) but in idea– what good deeds or charitable acts could agents do for folks, leaving their calling card, and goodwill, behind? Any ideas?
Technorati Tags: real estate marketing, meter maids, charity, cause marketing
