Is That A Good Idea?

Sharing in a big way

By CHRISTINA LOW

Marriage proposals and weddings are no longer a private affair these days, as couples take a step further, by making their special day known to all.

Early this year Malaysians saw how an accounts executive proposed to his girlfriend with a RM14,000 diamond ring via a huge billboard advertisement placed along the Damansara- Puchong Highway (LDP) in Kelana Jaya.

This time around Parisign general manager Henry Tan decides to take the expensive step by displaying his wedding photos at bus shelters around Kuala Lumpur.

The 25-year-old does not only want to share the pictures with the public but also want to be remembered as the couple they saw at bus shelters.

Of the 16: A bus shelter in Jalan P.Ramlee sporting the couple’s wedding photos.

Tan has placed his wedding photos at 16 bus shelters in the city centre, at a cost of about RM150,000. But he has no regrets.

The idea came to him after a holiday in Monaco two years ago when he saw how a French man proposed to his girlfriend using outdoor advertisements at strategic locations in the city.

“When I saw it, I told myself that I too would come up with such a creative idea when I find my soul mate,” said Tan, whose family supported the idea.

Why bus shelters?

Tan said he had a special interest in bus shelters after the company put him in charge of designing such shelters in various parts of Kuala Lumpur.

However, Tan’s wife Cherry, had no inkling of the plans her husband had up his sleeves, including accompanying workers to paste the pictures at the shelters before he heads to work in the morning.

Cherry said she never dreamt that she would one day be the talk of town this way.

Act of love: Tan cleaning one of the photo boards of his wife before it was fixed at a bus shelter. He thinks nothing of accompanying workers to paste the pictures at the shelters before he heads to work in the morning.

“I have always admired girls whose boyfriends go to such lengths to propose,” said the 22-year-old, who only found out about her husband’s project when her friends told her that they had seen her wedding pictures at bus shelters.

“I am surprised and happy about it,” said Cherry.

Tan said it was a surprise present for his wife and also to share with Malaysians just how important repetition was in advertisements.

“When they have seen enough of us then it would have marked that our message has been successful.

“We encourage couples and families to do the same for any occasion, be it weddings, birthdays or just to wish someone well,” said Tan.

Okay I understand that people with too much money would spend in something totally unnecessary but eye-catching ideas to grab people’s attention. But do you want to know my comments in this bus-stop idea?

I don’t mean to be rude and to nose in other people’s decision or even being judgemental… but being a Marketing Executive, I have learnt many things about advertising areas. Bus stop, is one of the big NO-NO!

Why? Imagine having your wedding placed at the bus stop areas. Fine, you’ll get to SHOW OFF your love to your wife. But wait… wait for 1 or 2 days later… and with the publicity by the newspaper… your face will be vandalised with beard, moustache, black teeth, mole, and even writings saying “I’m with stupid”!

That place is where most students and potential vandals hang around to wait for the bus! With a simple permanent marker pen or a liquid paper, one can do much damage on the highly-paid advertisement at the bus stop.

This is MALAYSIA where vandals are famous for their ‘artwork’!

I give credit to the person who advertise on a billboard earlier this year to propose to a girl. Now that is more feasible and properly placed! EVERYONE can see that.

Bus stop?

NOT A GOOD IDEA!

Anyway, congratulations to the happily married couple! Maybe you should question your advertising agency as to why they didn’t give proper suggestions for advertising ideas.

*No offence*