Comments on: Beware a hungry media pack on the scent of a good story

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 01:08:58 +0000

Let’s not forget though that as well as Wicked Campers’ profile being a contributor to the media attention, they also had a lot more than one vehicle at the centre of the story. The story was a story because their fleet was under investigation not just the breakdown of one vehicle. I’m sure every company has had a vehicle breakdown as Greg mentioned but it’s definitely not newsworthy.

Comparing the Backpacker Campervans story with the Wicked one is like comparing apples with oranges.

By: greg cole

greg cole — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:39:39 +0000

Wicked Evangelist is correct: Nothing on four wheels covering cast distances is immune to occasional breakdowns. Its a fact of business for us and all transport companies. And for the most part you cannot predict where, or when. Sadly for Wicked though as Martins Lane points out, the high profile makes for a more interesting story (or at least the media thinks so).

By: Wicked Evangelist

Wicked Evangelist — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:55:56 +0000

I appreciate your support there Martin, and I apologise if it does not appear that way.
I feel it is just frustrating that we are referred to as the ‘dodgy’ campervan company when Backpacker Campervans are seen as the victims of the negative press. I think this story is the first of many to come, with unhappy campers from all companies coming out of the woodwork to share their tales.
I think if anything this article has shown that no rental company is immune to the occassional mechanical breakdown.

By: Martin Lane

Martin Lane — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:34:53 +0000

Thanks for that Wicked Evangelist

If you haven’t already done so, have a read of my (largely supportive) opinion piece from last week. I make the point there that Wicked has become a victim of its own success, its brilliant marketing winning it media attention which, unfortunately, can be a double-edged sword if the press gets hold of a negative story.

Cheers

Martin – Thumbrella

By: Wicked Evangelist

Wicked Evangelist — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 04:07:44 +0000

Not only as a Wicked representative but as a reader it makes me angry that we were being attacked for the same thing last week, but no one was jumping to our defence. Only now that another company has been brought into the spotlight do you acknowledge that the media can spin things and exaggerate to make a good story. Why is it a case of, if it’s about Wicked it must be true but about someone else it must be a ‘gross over-simplification’?