Sprint's new ads stress savings, 3G network
Last month, I celebrated the fact that Sprint was killing its bizarre ad campaign with CEO Dan Hesse. Reader response to the blog was divided--some readers said they liked the ads, while others shared my joy. A Sprint spokesperson even chimed in to say that the ads "ranked among the best wireless ads in recent months for memorability."
Sprint also was good enough to send me its press release for two new TV, billboard, and Internet ad campaigns. The first, which (surprise!) features the Palm Pre (at least someone gets to touch it), revolves around Sprint's Now Network, aka the carrier's wireless broadband network. The central message appears to be the breadth of Sprint's network and the services, information and communication available on it. The campaign launched April 6.
You can see the video on YouTube and Sprint has launched a "Sprint Now widget" that gives you a taste of the campaign. On the widget is a treasure trove of random facts that will fascinate the trivia buff.
You'll find everything from Sprint-related factoids, such as how many text messages are being sent to the carrier's network, to the very non-Sprint-related, such as how many babies are being born right now. You'll also find completely useless information, such as how many people are stuck in elevators are this moment.
From the start, I found the widget utterly compelling, even if it was a little much for the eyes to take in at once. Why you need all the little people walking over the various tiles (see the widget), I don't know.
Yet, I dare to say that it could influence people to switch to Sprint. While it doesn't tell you why Sprint is better, it can get you excited about technology, communication, and the speed at which the two are conveyed. Bunker types may find it frightening, but that's a fair trade-off. You can download the widget if you wish, and I'm certain it will be available on the Pre once the phone goes on sale.
In another series of ads, which launched April 3, the emphasis is on saving money in a tight economy. According to Sprint's press release, "Sprint continues to emphasize that individuals and families can save a great deal on their wireless bills if they switch to Sprint from AT&T or Verizon." Perhaps you can't save by switching from T-Mobile.
I'll have to catch the full campaigns for my final verdict, but as long as I'm not watching Hesse walk through a black-and-white New York City (with the occasional Sprint yellow), I think it's an improvement. The San Francisco-based agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners produced both campaigns.
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent. 
If you do happen to want these phones, prepare to pony up for one of their "everything" plans....even if you do not use or want "everything." As an existing customer, it's literally impossible to keep your existing plan and just upgrade your phone to either the Instinct or Pre. At which point, they open themselves up to competition from the iPhone and Storm - if I have to change my plan anyway, I might as well look at other carriers. If I didnt know better, I would think that Sprint is actually trying to lose customers.
As for Sprint, I think one of it's main problems is that so many people think that they suck. The reason for that is that their CS was horrible, well that is no longer the case. In recent polls/surveys they are now rated # one in CS.
I have been with Sprint for about 10 years and to be honest I think I have only ever called CS twice. Both times were very pleasant, but even if it was the worst experience in the world who cares, one bad experience every 5 years is not bad.
The main reason for a cell phone is for making calls and Sprint does that well. In 10 years I have only ever had 1 or 2 dropped calls, plus there are no other carriers that service my location.
Sprint is awesome for me...
Rick
Ultimately everyone needs to look at the phone, plan, area and determine what really works best for them. In my case, I need to travel domestically and want a phone for the major hubs and some corridor highways ... in my specific case Sprint works great.
As for upgrades, that's not true - if you put up a stink and are willing to put in the time you can usually pre-negotiate an aggressive sign-up bonus with a competitor and then visit an official Sprint store prepared to port-n-pay. Believe me, if you truly are ready to pay the early termination fee then you will most likely find yourself in position to get a full $150 rebate andsome add-ons tacked on for free, such as insurance for a year or bump up from Vision to Vision Plus.
I've used AT&T Wireless, Cingular (when they were that weird 'other guy'), T-Mobile, and Sprint / Nextel. They're not for everyone, but both in my personal and business experience it's the best for me.
- by surveypro33 April 8, 2009 8:14 PM PDT
- I do not understand why people our still complaining about having to go on the everything plans with sprint. With Verizon, you have to get a data pack with ANY of their smartphones. Sprint(as of now) only require it on the instinct, and the Blackberrys. I use to work for sprint, and now for Verizon. I like them both. But still to this day, I have kept my Instinct because it is a great phone, just as advertised.
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