Viva steps on Zain & Wataniya’s toes

postedbyYousef

We got an email from a reader with the pictures above, asking for an explanation.

I called a friend and he told us that the ads above are made by Viva and they’re, according to my source, an introduction for Viva to roll out it’s new pricing plan, something to compete with Zain’s wiyana plan.

My source says “It’s illegal in Kuwait to make ads that mock a competing brand, yet there is a way to do so without being sued, and it’s by not using the other company’s logo” it wasn’t used in this case, and he concluded with “But it’s still unethical.”

I’m looking forward for a response to those ads! 😀

Thanks Noura

Update:

4th Ring Road have wrote about the topic too and there is a response to Viva, check it out:

We don’t know if the response was made by Wataniya or Zain, yet. But we sure know that this is turning to be so much fun!!

Thanks 4th Ring Road for the last picture.

This entry was posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 2:29 am

um-mit3ib says:

July 11, 2009 at 2:53 am

r u sure its viva?
both ways its brilliant wana emkayfa 3alaiiihhhom;p w a7es its healthy;p mo unethical;p
iseeroon creative w ashya;p

e7mood says:

July 11, 2009 at 2:55 am

cant wait to be a viva loyal costumer ;p

KTDP says:

July 11, 2009 at 3:47 am

problem with ethics is that it’s like dinosaurs. Everyone talks like s/he is an expert in it but few actually know about it.

It’s very subjective.

Kha says:

July 11, 2009 at 3:13 pm

I don’t see it as unethical. It is a very interesting way to advertise your product. Plus, the telecommunications market needs refreshing in here. Viva started strong but then it lagged behind.

The Godfather says:

July 11, 2009 at 7:01 pm

well,
i’ve been a Zain customer for a long time, and im subscribed in their post-paid, pre-paid, e-go, and pager services. the only thing left is their BB service, well obviously since i dont have the device. so, my starts 8 months back, i went to their HQ requesting a number (when they started their 999 new numbering thing), and the customer service guy was very welcoming n all, they took a copy of civil ID and wrote down the requested number, and they’re like we’ll call ya back in 2 days; that was in november.

two months after, i went again with the same thing since i didnt get their response yet, and again they said they’ll call in 2 days. 10 days ago i call 107 to issue a complaint about it, and the guy says that the number you asked for has already been given to someone else.

i didnt like that at all, so i went there, sat with the customer care guy, explained my problem, and he’s like “yeah it happens. we’ll call u back for new numbers. bs ma tiswa tishtiki cuz yimkin tathlim a7ad. fa again, dont worry, we’ll call u back”

the way he dealt with the problem was not very supportive, so i told them: now i have four lines with u, and until u fix my problem, im gonna disconnect one of the lines, starting NOW. he’s like no o ma tiswa, so i DC my ego and he said HQ will call u for the reason behind the DC.

one week later, they didnt call, so i go to them again, to the same guy, i told him now DC the eezee, then he said they gonna call u, and i was like “dont call this number, i have this new number from viva and i gave it to him”. they flipped, they got me the manager of the branch, and the employee offered me his line for that not to happen but i DCed it anyway.

next day, someone calls from HQ, offering me two months free for e-go, plus a FREE line of which ever combination i have in mind, and i got it all.

bottom line, every company tries to maintain their customers base, cuz they know that if they failed to do so, people will start lookin for alternatives, by default !!