Barclays - putting out the wrong message?

[directmarketingadvice]

I saw an ad at the weekend that struck me as pretty dumb.

It was an ad for Barclays where the "selling point" was that Barclays were always looking for ways to improve their service to their clients.

The story was that they'd created a computer which can answer any question. So they ask it how they can better manage their clients money.

The computer then declared that it could do it without them and that these staff were now obsolete. So, the staff wanted to stop the computer so they wouldn't lose their jobs (comments such as "I've a wife and kids to feed").

Now, the message that I got from this was that Barclays were interested in finding ways to improve their service but, if there was a conflict of interests, they're going to put themselves first.

Am I the only one who got that message? Perhaps I'm reading too much into this?

Steve

[MichaelG]

The message I always get from Barclays is this:

WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS OF GETTING YOU TO PAY MORE AND DELIVER LESS.

Smart thinking frmo Barclays? I think NOT!

[Top Hat]

I saw an ad at the weekend that struck me as pretty dumb.

It was an ad for Barclays where the "selling point" was that Barclays were always looking for ways to improve their service to their clients.

The story was that they'd created a computer which can answer any question. So they ask it how they can better manage their clients money.

The computer then declared that it could do it without them and that these staff were now obsolete. So, the staff wanted to stop the computer so they wouldn't lose their jobs (comments such as "I've a wife and kids to feed").

Now, the message that I got from this was that Barclays were interested in finding ways to improve their service but, if there was a conflict of interests, they're going to put themselves first.

Am I the only one who got that message? Perhaps I'm reading too much into this?

Steve

That’s exactly the message I got, I thought it made Barclays look bad not good.

I even commented on it to SillyJokes.

[Jayne]

I don't think they have ever been a people bank! I have a friend who was in business and used them, she once rang for advice and was told by a snotty woman, to go on a business course and that she shouldn't be in business if she didn't know what she was doing! Not a very helpful way of keeping customers.

If they don't care about or help their customers, they will not give two monkies about their staff!

Jayne

[c2webdesign]

Speaking of the same bank we had a number of calls left on answerphone with no message. Dialling 1471 I got the number and gave it a call to be told be an automated voice system to key in my telephone number to find out why I was being called - I keyed in a dummy number and the reply stated (in foreign accent) 'Number not valid - goodbye'

Being sceptical I phoned my telephone operator who said they would advise not phoning and could be a scam designed to validate my number and possible transfer me to a peak rate number.

This went on for two weeks and the telephone company even suggested reporting to complaints commission when I found out it was Barclays Bank!!! - trying to 'sell me' a loan! - couldn't believe it.

....but to answer on the post, that's exactly how I saw the recent ad too

Dean
C2 Web Design
http://www.c2webdesign.co.uk

Web Design | Online Marketing | Search Engine Optimisation

[directmarketingadvice]

....but to answer on the post, that's exactly how I saw the recent ad too

So, I'm not alone, there's at least 3 of us who saw it that way.

When I saw the ad, the phrase "shooting yourself in the foot" came to mind.

Now the question in my mind is, if it's so obvious to us, why didn't Barclay's see this for themselves and dump the ad rather than run it?

Or maybe the ad was actually run by a competitor?

Steve

[MorethanWords]

Is it not illegal to run an ad posing as someone else?

I think the advert is quite funny personally but can see what you are all saying.

I think the intended message is that customers dealing with people rather than technology will always be important to Barclays. But maybe i'm missing something.

[directmarketingadvice]

Is it not illegal to run an ad posing as someone else?

I was joking.

The point being that the ad might do more for their competitors than it would do for Barclays.

Steve

[MorethanWords]

tbh i think you're all taking it far too seriously. It's surely some kind of post modern irony that computers will not take over the world, despite the technological age we live in.

Well, that's what i think anyway.

[clairemackaness]

In the words of little britain............."Computer says Nooo"!

[directmarketingadvice]

tbh i think you're all taking it far too seriously.

I wouldn't say I'm taking it that seriously. I saw the ad on Saturday and it took me 3 days to get around to mentioning on here. :)

I just think it's a remarkable piece of self-sabotage.

It's surely some kind of post modern irony that computers will not take over the world, despite the technological age we live in.

Perhaps. However, that notion isn't one that opens bank accounts with Barclays Bank.

I think it's a case of advertising agencies wanting to be "clever, clever" and "interesting" without stopping to think what message they'd be giving out about their clients and whether that message is going to sell the service.

Now, some might suggest that an advert which highlighted some of the innovations Barclays have introduced which have added value to their clients (assumig such innovations actually exist) would have been a more meaningful and more convincing lead-in to the final claim that they're looking for ways to give a better service.

However, that wouldn't be "amusing" for the viewers or allow the ad guys the chance to be "creative".

Steve

[FE]

Not the best advertising campaign but i did find amusing.

FE