I think the game/contest aspect is a fun way for them to kick off their blog. They certainly have plenty to learn, but the game aspect just struck me as right for the times.

Tom: I agree. To me it doesn't much matter if a company's first foray is done well or not... once they start blogging, the conversation is likely to get more intelligent and useful over time.

You've done a great job of watching GM go up the learning curve... Loic Lemeur tells a great story about L'Oreal (I think) in France making a clumsy start and then turning it round.

So whether I like what they did is not so important, the main thing is that they started.

I see where you are coming from, a few days ago I wrote about how easy it is to think that one "need to have my ducks-in-a-row and tell a remarkable story out of the chute because I only get one shot to be noticed..."

Essentially saying one certainly CAN iterate over time and learn as you go. I get the indication the Budget blog is intended only for timeframe of the contest. (And if they are judging "results" of this campaign to make a go/no-go decision in future, I guess that's where my concern is. That they didn't give blogs enough of a shot.) Plus there is no indication that they are listening to blogs (such as this), and iteration and "learn as you go" typically monitors any and all feedback.

Evelyn: Your pessimism sounds well grounded... it'll be intersting to see how things pan out. Meanwhile, the opportunity is there for any other car rental company!

What's wrong with a short timeframe?

I happen to believe it's a great way to deliver a promotion. The same holds for event marketing camapigns. Both occur in given time frames, and an online journal is the perfect means for capturing the twists and turns. When it ends, you simply move on to the next one.

Budget's blog is not a branding exercise, it's a sales driver. They ought to be commended for looking at the medium with an open mind and asking, "Hey, what can we do with this?"

Johnnie, I'd love to be proven totally wrong. I keep checking, and so far I've not seen them respond to any blogger that linked to www.upyourbudget.com.

David, I'm curious about your comment that this is a sales driver. How so? Most rental car agencies are indistinguishable from rest. The whole point of my post was to say I don't see how this will change MY rental car buying behavior. I can't speak for everyone, nor have I queried their market.

Tom, If you haven't seen it, Tom expounds on the sign of times and gaming aspect to his comment above here:
http://truetalk.typepad.com/truetalk/2005/11/lost_your_budge.html

All I'm saying is the Budget blog is a sales promotion vehicle, not a branding excercise, nor a pr effort (although brand awareness and pr are clearly residual benefits).

Whether it's working or not I can't say.

I agree with Johnnie Moore but think that we should ask those car rental companies the tough questions in their blogs:
When is it going to be obviously to rent hybrid car? when are you going to change your fleet to green cars?

I agree with Johnnie Moore but think that we should ask those car rental companies the tough questions in their blogs:
When is it will be obviously to rent hybrid car? when are you going to change your fleet to green cars?

Some rental companies have a min age of 23 as well..so be careful..you also need a credit card, and an international drivers license.. it's not a myth. you can be heavily fined here. Don't be discouraged if you can't get a car here.. the bus and train service is excellent here and it's really cheap.