I happen to catch the new Verizon Wireless commercial, where Cindy runs into her old boyfriend Devin. Cindy says, “Hey Devin, It’s been a long time. I see you have the whole Verizon Wireless Network with you, Mr. Fear-of-Commitment.”Devin responds, “Well, they came with my pay as you go plan. So I only pay for them when I use them." At this point Devin’s eyes sparkle as if he just reached Nirvana or as if he just received a smiley face from his third grade teacher, and he proudly remarks, “So why buy the whole cow when you can just pay for the days you milk it?” He laughs as Cindy walks away disgusted.
This is Verizon’s pay as you go plan – “forget long term contracts, just pay for the days you use it.”
Okay maybe I’m putting too much on it, or maybe I just think too much, but think on this: Verizon Wireless is number 1 in telecommunications, number 13 in Fortune 500’s annual ranking of America’s largest corporations, and spend millions in the marketing and promotions of their services and products. So believe me, they know what sells. And what is it that they are now betting their stock on? What is it that they are spending millions on to help sell their products? It’s the fact that having “no commitments” is appealing to you. After all, as Devin pointed out, why should you buy the cow when you can just pay for the days you milk it!
Verizon suggest that the days of long-term commitments are gone and what people are looking for today are (in their own words) “pay as you go plans.” Okay, two words: “Elliot Spitzer (I know, I know that was bad but I’m making a point here).” Not everything that looks good is good for you, not everything that makes you happy will make you healthy, and everything that sounds good isn’t always good. I’m not really slamming on Verizon per se, but what trips me out is the clear observation that the Verizon marketing team made about our culture, namely that (generally speaking) we don’t value the idea of commitments. I don’t really need to know your name; don’t really care where you’re from, but if I flipped the bill, just give me what I paid for and keep it moving.
My Mind, My Thoughts, My Heart, My Words
