hospitality marketing

Retro Ad of the Week: Hilton Hotels, 1962

This ad from Hilton Hotels puts customer service marketing right at the forefront. There are no sweeping vistas from balconies. No sumptuous meals or luxurious linens. No happy vacationers frolicking in the pool. And nary a sexy woman to be found. Not your typical approach to hospitality marketing.

Nope. This ad focuses on anticipatory service. Anything you might want or need? Hilton takes care of that, and at the push of a button (or turn of a dial, that is.) Hilton is differentiating themselves from a sea of competitors by focusing on one of the most honest benefits of a hotel stay: not having to do a damn thing. And that’s pretty compelling to this working mom, even in 2018.

Let’s have a closer look at the copy:

“In many of our hotels, special phones allow you to dial a variety of services directly… and with them the thoughtful touches, like a flower on the table with breakfast in your room. It’s one of the reasons why people who travel like to Stay Hilton.

FUN FACT: John Lennon and Yoko Ono held their first Bed-In for Peace at the Amsterdam Hilton, and stayed in bed from March 25 – March 31, 1969. No surprise here –  this room subsequently became a popular tourist destination. (Source: UltimateClassicRock.com)

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