USA Today reports today that ABC News / ESPN TV will be coming to some gas stations in major markets
What competition for eyeballs exists, ESPN’s Mike Soltys says, shouldn’t be daunting: “This will be a lot more fun than just standing there washing your windshield.”
Brilliant. Captive audience. Great content. Why the heck not??
The ABC / ESPN deal follows an NBC deal announced last month where the network will be distributing video content to gas pumps in California (read Brandweek coverage here).
“Not to sound too corny, but as you’re filling your tank, we’re filling your mind,” said Ric Harris, evp-digital media and strategic marketing at NBC Universal Television Stations.
When you put it that way, it sounds kinda sick, doesn’t it?
Mostly, it’s a battle for content and ad distribution…imagine choosing your gas station (as well as your cell phone) based on the content you get as well as the brand of gas and / or the price at the pump. Hmm. Personally, I will pick the “quiet” station that doesn’t blare this stuff in my face.
I’d probably prefer a “quiet” station, as well. However, these days, people will scramble just to save 10 cents a gallon. I’d say the first corporation to tie-in a per gallon discount on the gas sold at the pumps they play their shows/ads on will find themselves with quite a few eyeballs. …just my 2 cents.