What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Ken -
Thank you so much for pointing this out. It seems like mis-placed geo-targeted advertisement is popping up all over the place these days. It was bad enough to be barraged on facebook by ads for "Single Girls in Ephrata" (not only do I not live in Ephrata, but have no desire of going there), but seeing it in the print and public advertising scene is an all new low. Is it that hard to do your homework??!

Yes!

And there were people who thought I was lame for thinking that billboard was absolutely ill-placed! Especially when you realize that there is a pretty different lifestyle going on in Lancaster than there is in Harrisburg. Most Lancastrians I know rarely have the need or desire to go to Harrisburg (not knocking any H-Burg folks, it's just a different mindset here). Harrisburg is also hassle to get to (283 bites the big one). Maybe I am not representing a lot of Lancaster, but I would think that most people in this town could give a rat's rear end if there is a Geico office in Harrisburg. Let us know when there is an office here, and maybe we'll care about your green lizard.

Great point Ken. When I worked at an advertising agency near State College before moving to Lancaster, I became very aware that many of these 'traditional' media companies do not care in the slightest how the ad or in this case the geographical location details are delivered as they get the buy. It's a disgrace and probably a good reason that they are all faltering in the current economy.

I still prefer a local agent that will be there to answer the phone if I have questions or is available to sit down and talk with me. I guess that's why I've avoided Geico...they CLEARLY missed the mark on this one. They might as well have said Maryland.

The Geico billboard in York County says the same thing. *rolling eyes*

Bryan, I think that's what makes this extra interesting. Geico built their reputation on having inexpensive insurance you could get over the phone and online. The original business model wasn't based on having a local agent. And in this day and age, how important is it to have a local agent? Not sure I have the answer on that, but I would imagine a lot of people do their insurance shopping online.

Yeah, I noticed this too and thought it was odd. I thought maybe their aren't any Geico representatives in Lancaster.. Then I thought, well why would I want to go to Harrisburg for car insurance?

Anyway, I agree somebody missed the mark on this one.