The Talking Newspaper!!!!

 On the morning of 21st Sept’10, being a reader of the Times of India I was in for a pleasant surprise. The newspaper carried an advertisement for Volkswagen on the last page that looked like a regular print ad but with a difference. But, Volkswagen had not placed a regular ad but instead a ‘Talking Newspaper Ad’ in the Times of India. Imagine my surprise, that as soon as I opened the newspaper, a recorded voice started TALKING about the benefits of the newly launched Volkswagen Vento.

(Actual ad in the newspaper)

 

The magic was in the small speaker that would activate itself when you open the last page of the newspaper. I found myself more interested in the technology used to make the ‘Talking Newspaper Ad’, than the high-tech German engineering advertised for the Volkswagen Vento.

It had indeed become the TALK of the town, with people talking about it for a long time after the ad was published, not only that it is something which has still remained in peoples mind. Reactions among the people who I spoke to regarding the ad varied from surprise both pleasant to unpleasant, shock, excitement & in some cases disgust.

However, I personally feel that at a time when newspapers are losing out to the Internet, this publicity stunt serves to bring back interest. The idea was truly innovative and I was impressed. For all you know more companies may join the bandwagon, and flooding newspapers with such audio advertisements. But I hope not!!