Down but not out, Priceline.com, which just last week slashed its workforce
and
refocused its business on the basics, launched a new advertising campaign
claiming that in three years of operation it has sold six million airline
tickets and vowing to “See you in 2001.”
And yes, there are pictures of William Shatner, the former Star Trek actor
whose status as a celeb spokesperson for Priceline helped begin some of the
company’s troubles when the media jumped on reports that he doesn’t use the
service.
The new holiday ad campaign for the name-your-own-price service kicks off
today on national TV and runs through Dec. 31. It claims the company has sold
six million airline tickets, two million hotel room nights and 1.5 million
rental car days.
“The new ad is really about three things,” said Priceline.com President and
CEO Daniel H. Schulman. “It’s a fun thank-you to customers who made it
possible for us to sell almost 10 million combined tickets, hotel room nights
and rental car days in less than three years of operation. It’s a celebration
of our 2000 ad campaign, which put priceline.com over the top as the #1
most-recognized e-commerce brand according to independent research. And it’s
a reminder that we’ll be ready in 2001 to help you save money on your airline
tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, and more.”
The new ads are framed by photos of William Shatner’s “Troubadour” ad series
and are accompanied by a Jimi Hendrix-like rendition of the classical music
theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The distinctive guitar track was provided
by Page Hamilton, formerly with the band Helmet. Spending on the campaign was
not disclosed.
Last week Priceline said it will continue with its name-your-own-price
service for airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, home finance, long
distance and new cars, but will indefinitely postpone the introduction of its
business-to-business, term life and cell phone services and put a halt to
efforts to expand into Japan.
After today’s announcement, the company’s stock was up about 10 percent, at
$2.68 in early trading. At one time it traded at more than $104. Last fall
its advertising was called into question, revenues failed to meet analysts
expectations and consumer complaints resulted in a state
investigation.