Uber is purportedly trying to bring some cheer to your Mondays by rolling out the “Uber Puppies” programme, an initiative in which users can request a free 15 minute play time with puppies at their homes or even offices.
Uber had done a pilot with this activity a few months ago. However, this time, other than helping the users get some doggy love in their lives and ease their Monday blues, Uber is also trying to help these puppies find a forever home. The programme has been rolled out in association with VOSD– an organization that works to shelter and rehabilitate stray Indian dogs.
Other than promoting the initiative with some clever puns, Uber is also invoking the users to consider adopting the puppies and/or making donations towards the organization.
The initiative has already met with gushing comments from users, almost turning them into Uber evangelists.
Awesome and cuddly experience with #UberPUPPIES. Brilliant marketing promotion by @Uber_India @Uber @Uber_BLR pic.twitter.com/nZTSHZeKEO
— K Vaitheeswaran (@vaitheek) December 28, 2015
Uber is no stranger to collaborations with other startups to bundle up various marketing and engagement hacks with its cab services. Uber had rolled out Choppers on Demand over the Christmas weekend in partnership with Droom. In the same Christmas campaign, Uber had also introduced Carols On Demand in Kolkata while in a few other cities, it tied up with UrbanClap and Grofers to deliver gifts and cheer to Uber customers.
Rival Ola on the other hand had reached a similar effect last month by doing its bit to help the Chennai Floods situation by introducing the OlaBoat.
Interesting to see startup biggies using innovative on-ground marketing hacks, along with regular online and offline campaigns to not only establish a strong brand presence, but also create evangelism amongst their users. As a Twitter user stated “Small things like these are what makes Uber so popular!”