Loud music along Orchard Road over weekends

[williamw]

I personally find the noises from various loudspeakers blasting out loud music and sales pitches along Orchard road (outside Taka/ Paragon/ Plaza Singapura/ Herren Center, etc) trying to promote credit cards, fragrance, sunglasses, cars, etc are quite unbearable.

It actually drives me away from those areas and I think this will be considered as noise pollution in many countries. Is there any legal restriction on volume level control in public areas? Having to listen different loud rock music playing at the same time is really not very enjoyable.

Am I the only person feeling this way?

[noisy street]

Yeah...I thought I was in the redlight district in bangkok when walking down Orchard road on weekends. Got stopped by salespeople constantly, dragging you to the counters to sell you something. Very disturbing!

[Loops]

I agree with you - I don't really understand how they can assume that pumping naff music out at 500 decibels is going to make you think "ooh, I must get a credit card"

can you imagine if you actually tried to go and apply for one

"can I apply for a credit card?" *naff music blasting away in the background*

"eh?"

"credit card - I want to apply"

"eh?"

"oh forget it"

Do these people actually make any sales?

[dot dot dot]

As strange as it may sound, but it is called marketing. The target audience for this is clearly youngsters, teens, who are to be approached at this age for being future consumers of all services and products offered, like credit cards and such. And they are being attracted by noise, loud music and flashy events.

Don't get me wrong, I am not approving, in fact I run away from all this noise, but clearly we are not the target audience. Believe me, if it would not increase sales, it would not be there so much longer, these events don't come that cheap for organising companies and all will be monitored for effectiveness.

There should be some rules though regarding the maximum amount of decibels?

Eric

[williamw]

I agree with Eric to certain extent. I have been in sales and marketing for 8 years. These marketers are indeed succesful because we are actually here talking about them. As a marketer, any publicity is good even they are negative because it generates awareness.

However, if you look at those booths during the weekends, most of them are packed by only promotors. You RARELY see any customers there. Most people speed up and run away, including young people who are too cool and do not want to be bothered. (unless there are free gifts)

I doubt it very much they will get any real transaction on the spot but it certainly is a way to get the attention. The cost can be written of as a promotion expenses easily. Most booths there are banks, watches and perfume companies. This cost for the setting up the booth is only a small fraction of their entire TV, magazine campaigns. It doesn't necessarily need to generate any actual business for them but it will look good in the marketing plan. Anyway, I don't want to make this into a debate on "do promotional booths on Orchard road generates business?"

But Eric you are right, it will be wonderful if there are rules to restrict the maximum amount of decibels!!