2010 ELECTION CUPS

With only a few more days to go before the May 10, 2010 elections, surveys are conducted left and right. A few weeks ago, the primetime news featured 2 stores that joined the band wagon. Taking advantage of the summer’s searing heat, Frutas, a company that sells fresh fruit juice and shakes, and 7-11, a convenience store located at almost every corner decided to launch their own version of a mock election. When a customer orders a fruit shake or a big Gulp, the customers are asked to choose which cup bearing a presidentiable’s face they want. Each cup is considered as a vote for the favored presidential bet. The stores will tally these “votes” and will release the results of their mock election just before the actual May 2010 election.

The Good:

• This allows the common person to easily show support for their chosen candidate, while enjoying a cold tumbler of fruit shakes and soft drinks.
• This can reflect the political trend for a certain area. This can create an environment of healthy competition among supporters within the same area.
• This is a smart marketing ploy for the companies.

The Not-So-Good:

• Question of credibility and reliability. People don’t really know their system of counting the votes.
• Not everybody buy from these stores, whether it be a question of taste, budget or proximity to a store.
• There is no buying limit. A customer can come back several times a day and order a round of drinks, and these “votes” will be counted in favor of his or her candidate. The more money, more votes... much like in the real elections, I guess.

Personally, I really like the idea of the Presidential Cups. Although there is much debate about the use and reliability of surveys, I think there is nothing wrong with showing your support for your candidate in whatever way you can especially if all is done in the spirit of fun. Kudos to Frutas and 7-11 for coming up with this gimmick.

So, are you feeling thirsty? Why not order a tall Noynoy Aquino, a chilled Manny Villar shake or an Iced Gibo Teodoro?