The banning of Google Glass before it is even released by a small Seattle bar is one of the best PR moves I have seen. After releasing a statement on their blog, they have been mentioned by dozens of news sites including the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, CNET, and the Washington Times and attracted tons of attention.
From the Wall Street Journal:
Now comes news that a Seattle bar is banning customers from wearing Google’s head-mounted smartphone. The 5 Point Cafe posted a message on its blog declaring that the bar would be a “No Google Glass zone”: If you’re one of the few who are planning on going out and spending your savings on Google Glasses – what will for sure be a new fad for the fanny-pack wearing never removing your bluetooth headset wearing crowd – plan on removing them before you enter The 5 Point. . . . . .Although they may lose out on some customers who are tech early adopters in Seattle, it is smart from a marketing perspective to communicate that their bar doesn't cater to everyone but a specific type of customer who is looking for privacy and doesn't like technology.
According to the owner of the bar, “First you have to understand the culture of the 5 Point, which is a sometimes seedy, maybe notorious place. People want to go there and be not known … and definitely don’t want to be secretly filmed or videotaped and immediately put on the Internet.”
The 5 Point Bar wants to communicate a brand message of being a private and seedy place. Although they run the risk of being associated as an anti-technology establishment, that label is aligned with their brand. What do you think? Is it wise for them to take this stance?
Creative Commons photo by Dennis Crowley
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