Homeless hotspots plan causes controversy for BBH ad agency

Google Maps was used to alert the public to where the Homeless Hotspots participants were

An "experiment" which involved using homeless people as mobile wi-fi hotspots has attracted criticism, forcing the advertising agency behind it to defend itself.

A division of Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) equipped 13 homeless people with 4G mifi devices in Austin, Texas.

It suggested the public pay $2 (£1.30) for 15 minutes access to the net.

 

Comments posted to the BBH's site accused the project of being "unseemly" and "wrong".

 

Members of Twitter asked "what has this world come to?" and accused the project of being a "gimmick".

 

However, others praised the idea as being "inspirational" and a chance to create a "positive interaction between the public" and homeless people.

 

A blog update by BBH's skunkworks unit noted that "there's an insane amount of chatter about this, which although certainly villainises us, in many ways is good for the homeless people we're trying to help".

 

The firm noted that its project had raised the issue of homelessness at the South by Southwest tech festival which it had been timed to coincide with. It also noted that each of the "hotspot managers" would keep the money that they earned.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17345903

Views: 1033

Comment

You need to be a member of 12160 Social Network to add comments!

Join 12160 Social Network

Comment by Central Scrutinizer on March 13, 2012 at 9:40pm

hardcore homeless isn't gonna piss away 2$ for 15 minutes of pointless airtime, second, the device will be sold within 2 hours for cigs, liquor, crack, or sex

Comment by Misteri on March 13, 2012 at 7:56pm

http://bbh-labs.com/homeless-hotspots-a-charitable-experiment-at-sxswi  try this link Amaterasu Solar see if it was what you were looking for.

Comment by Amaterasu Solar on March 13, 2012 at 1:08pm

Hmmm.  Still not sure what the issue is...  I tried the link but it brought up an article about Boeing getting "illegal" subsidies from the US government - according to the WTO.  Like, how does the WTO get to have a say in the "illegality" of subsidies???  But that is beside the point of using homeless (somehow) to do...(something).  Carry around a mobile wifi hub?  Did I get that straight?

Comment by Misteri on March 12, 2012 at 9:07pm

So now our homeless are reduced to animals. Give them a reward for good performance. Wow how unappealing is that. What has to happen in someones life to make this seem like a reasonable reward. Give a man a fish, and feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, and feed him for a lifetime. 

"Destroying the New World Order"

TOP CONTENT THIS WEEK

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE SITE!

mobile page

12160.info/m

12160 Administrators

 

Latest Activity

cheeki kea favorited Bob of the Family Renner's photo
41 minutes ago
cheeki kea commented on Doc Vega's blog post Plausible Explanation Behind Recent Cryptid Sightings in the Wild!
"If you're ever out there Doc V and notice giant two legged birds roaming the wilderness be…"
1 hour ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
2 hours ago
Burbia commented on TommyD's group The Chuckle Hut
12 hours ago
Doc Vega posted blog posts
yesterday
Doc Vega posted photos
Saturday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Ashrams and Moonies Perfect Case for Mind Control

 In the late 60’s and into the 70’s we saw a strange phenomenon emerge! That was the rise of cults…See More
Friday
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Modern Progress

 From some things you just can’t come backNot everyone has your backIt might just be a nuclear…See More
Thursday
Bob of the Family Renner favorited tjdavis's photo
Thursday
Less Prone favorited Sandy's discussion Sick sci-fi sex fantasy written by Epstein's first benefactor people say inspired his twisted island... before author's SON ended up arresting him
Thursday
Doc Vega commented on tjdavis's photo
Thumbnail

Now Playing

"They sure as hell are! "
Wednesday
Doc Vega commented on Doc Vega's blog post Plausible Explanation Behind Recent Cryptid Sightings in the Wild!
"cheeki kea, yes they have already produced a Wooly Mammoth by crossing DNA from frozen remains in…"
Wednesday
Less Prone favorited tjdavis's photo
Wednesday
Less Prone favorited Bob of the Family Renner's photo
Aug 20
Less Prone favorited tjdavis's photo
Aug 20
Less Prone left a comment for Misteri
"Welcome back!"
Aug 20
tjdavis posted blog posts
Aug 19
tjdavis posted photos
Aug 19
tjdavis posted a video

The Inversion: The 'Sentient World Simulation' (SWS)

Kingsley L. Dennis discussing subjects from his new book - 'The Inversion: How We Have Been Tricked into Perceiving a False Reality' (published September 26,...
Aug 19
Doc Vega posted a blog post

Major Technical Developments in 1960 and a Major CIA Disclosure

 In 1960, there were some very significant changes in science, flight research, and oceanography…See More
Aug 18

© 2025   Created by truth.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

content and site copyright 12160.info 2007-2019 - all rights reserved. unless otherwise noted