A while back I posted a blog on Talking Urinals. Charimin, the toilet paper people, have taken this idea one futher with their new social network website Sit or Squat identifying and rating public toilets around the world. (I am not making this up).

The site is geo-targeted. The user first sees the Charmin branding page and can either search for a location or go to a map based on their current location. The map, powered by Google, has the usual icons each icon indicates one or more public restroom. The toilets are added by visitors to the site. And, in addition to the address you can also include a picture of the toilet and a 5 star rating system.

There were some minor glitches in the site - long addresses don’t always display properly, but other than that the site was pretty smooth. And, there are apps available for using the site with an iPhone or Blackberry.

This is a great marketing idea. It shows how some creative thinking can greatly expand brand recognition without being seen as ‘advertising’.

Charmin has a history of ‘non advertising’, advertising. Since 2000 it has had a campaign of cleaning restrooms and state fairs in the US. However, this idea gives them a much larger, international audience. (Including places where the Charmin brand might not be that well know - like Moscow in the Russian Federation.)

Using technology to increase your brand awareness is a cost effective marketing technique. It is not just reserved to large corporations - small businesses can benefit from this strategy as well. All you need is some creative thinking.

BTW - Vancouver Island is currently a ‘public toilet free zone’ - Let the restroom wars begin.

Tags: branding, marketing

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