Worst of the Week: Sonora Tourism

May 28, 2010 in Advertising, Public Relations, Worst of the Week
Tags: Arizona marketing, Sonora, sonora arizona controversial ad, Sonora tourism, sonora tourism marketing, tourism advertising, vacation in sonora

It doesn’t really matter which side you fall on regarding Arizona’s controversial illegal immigration law, this ad from a tourism marketing group just over the border was just plain dumb.

It seems the Tourism Promotion Commission of Sonora, the Mexican state bordering Arizona, thought it would be a good idea to promote tourism by feeding off of the recent Arizona law controversy. A second ad, which followed this teaser the next day in the same paper added the words “Who Want to Have a Great Time” and a reflection of beachgoers in the binoculars made a little more sense (not much), but was still intimidating.

It’s not news that Mexico has an image problem right now. Drug trafficking. Kidknapping. Corrupt police. Gang violence. Much of it is spilling over our borders. So, let’s show an intimidating camo-wearing “watcher” to represent “a great time?”  Not sure which demographic target this campaign appeals to. Maybe the adventurist teens who have always dreamed of becoming a low-level drug runner?

The sad part is, if you visit their website, you get the feeling that Sonora is probably one of the more entertaining and safe parts of Mexico for tourists.

Hey Sonora, round us up some tickets and accomodations for a January trip there and we’d be happy to help strategize with you by the pool with a fruity drink. Until then, we have to congratulate you on being our Worst of the Week.

Author: AdMavericks
www.lessingflynn.com

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