A Loo-ney and Brilliant PR Move by Javits Convention Center

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In a brilliant PR move, Javits Center announced that New York taxi drivers who go to the convention hall, all the way on the west side of Manhattan, will get not only passengers but also prizes. And they’ll even get to use the loo.
The first Taxi Appreciation Days are set for Jan. 17 and 18th during the National Retail Federation conference. Cabbies who drop off passengers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. can enter a contest for a cash prize of $250. And they can take a leak.
“If you have to go, there are not many places that will let you relieve yourself,” cabbie Ferles St. Pierre told the NY Daily News.
Especially with plans for the Center’s expansion, the current lack of cabs is a big problem.
Now New York City transit needs to run the 34th Street crosstown bus more often, particularly when conventions and trade shows are going on at Javits. I’ve waited 45 minutes in the rain for a bus when no cabs were available. Sure doesn’t make you want to run to a Javits show.

Comments

1. Colin McKay says:

   January 14, 2005 at 1:03 pm

   That’s a great idea – not only as a quick and cheap publicity bump for Javits and their two upcoming shows, but also as an indirect jab at the City’s transit planning.
   One question, though: where do the cabbies leave their cars while filling out the contest forms or using the john inside? Will there be a cabbie valet service?

   Reply
2. shel says:

   January 16, 2005 at 9:30 pm

   PR people are, in part, in the business of leaking. Now they’re helping cab drivers do it too.

   Reply
3. TSMI's Trade Show Marketing Report says:

   January 25, 2005 at 5:05 pm

   Javits Center Resorts to Bribes to Get Taxi Drivers to Come By

   We missed this one last week, but seems that the Javits Center was offering prizes to NY cabbies in an effort to get them to come over during the National Retail Federation Conference. Javits has earned a well-deserved reputation as

   Reply