Anyone from So. Cal area been seeing Alltel commercials on TV?

[larry]

For about the past week or two I've been seeing Alltel commercials (the new campaign where they make fun of the other 3 carriers by having lookalikes of the others characters). But since we don't have Alltel in Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire and most of the entire state I'm wondering if this is some sort of major screw-up. It's a waste of airtime to advertise Alltel here when the people watching can't even buy their phones or service.

[CellGeek]

Larry,

What TV Channel? I watch a lot of TV but have not seen these commercials.

[larry]

I have Time Warner cable and they play on Spike TV and other stations. Everyone else I've asked around here hasn't seen them. It's weird.

[mframe]

Originally Posted by larry

I have Time Warner cable and they play on Spike TV and other stations.

I don't live in an Alltel area, but did see the commercial once, on some satellite (cable) channel. Alltel is just advertising on Nationally available cable/satellite channels, as well as local channels in its markets. I assume they are getting decent advertising rates, and the National cable channels can't (or don't) provide the capability to limit advertisements to specific areas.

[larry]

Originally Posted by mframe

I don't live in an Alltel area, but did see the commercial once, on some satellite (cable) channel. Alltel is just advertising on Nationally available cable/satellite channels, as well as local channels in its markets. I assume they are getting decent advertising rates, and the National cable channels can't (or don't) provide the capability to limit advertisements to specific areas.

I can't say for sure that I've seen the commercials on a regular channel as well but thought I did. It is a complete waste of airtime and money for a cable station to play a commercial in an area where the audience can't buy that product. I don't believe they don't have the capability to make limits on specific areas. More than likely it was a goof up.

About 2 years ago the same thing happened here when all of a sudden Cellular One commercials started playing here. Cell One is nowhere to be found in So. Cal. They played for about a week and then completely stopped as though they knew they goofed.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by larry

About 2 years ago the same thing happened here when all of a sudden Cellular One commercials started playing here. Cell One is nowhere to be found in So. Cal. They played for about a week and then completely stopped as though they knew they goofed.

Alltel (formerly CellularONE) has service in the Bishop/Mammoth Lakes area, maybe it's related to that?

[larry]

Originally Posted by MOTOhooligan

Alltel (formerly CellularONE) has service in the Bishop/Mammoth Lakes area, maybe it's related to that?

Yep I know but that's like a 5 hour drive from here. Plus they don't brand it Alltel there. They still call it Cellular One. So I don't think so.

[Critic]

I've been seeing the same spot (for "My Circle", featuring Alltel register drone, Sprint's SpyGuy, "Catherine Zeta-Jones", "Can You Hear Me Now Guy", and "Orange Splat") here in NJ, where there's obviously no Alltel service. Since I've only seen the ad on cable (Comedy Central, Discovery, USA and Cartoon Network come to mind), I came to the conclusion that it was a national ad buy - similar to the "Bread is Back" campagign Jack In The Box has been running for a few months, and all of Sonic's ad buys for years. (Sonic has no locations in the northeast, since they can't operate drive-ins year-round. But goddamn those commercials make me crave their cherry limeade.)

[larry]

Originally Posted by Critic

I've been seeing the same spot (for "My Circle", featuring Alltel register drone, Sprint's SpyGuy, "Catherine Zeta-Jones", "Can You Hear Me Now Guy", and "Orange Splat") here in NJ, where there's obviously no Alltel service. Since I've only seen the ad on cable (Comedy Central, Discovery, USA and Cartoon Network come to mind), I came to the conclusion that it was a national ad buy - similar to the "Bread is Back" campagign Jack In The Box has been running for a few months, and all of Sonic's ad buys for years. (Sonic has no locations in the northeast, since they can't operate drive-ins year-round. But goddamn those commercials make me crave their cherry limeade.)

Did you see it on Spike TV or another channel? I saw it again last night. What's weird about this is the fact that many if not most people here in the So. Cal have never even heard of Alltel. So it makes no sense to play a commercial that everyone has to say Alltel?...who's Alltel"?

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by larry

So it makes no sense to play a commercial that everyone has to say Alltel?...who's Alltel"?

It makes a little sense... name recognition for possible future service in that area, or if people move to an Alltel area they might remember the commercial.

I'm not saying it makes total sense, just that if they bought a national ad those are some positives to advertising in areas that Alltel doesn't have service.

[larry]

Originally Posted by MOTOhooligan

It makes a little sense... name recognition for possible future service in that area, or if people move to an Alltel area they might remember the commercial.

I'm not saying it makes total sense, just that if they bought a national ad those are some positives to advertising in areas that Alltel doesn't have service.

In this case Alltel will never have service in this market. They don't own any licenses and even if they did they could never build a network from scratch here. But I suppose if people move to an area served by them they might remember the name.

[Andy]

I saw the ALLTEL ad here on Friday as well. I have to admit I kind of like it even though it's really strange that it airs in areas ALLTEL doens't provide service in. I guess area-coverage wise they have the largest network in Utah.

[Critic]

I doubt I saw the ad on Spike, as I'm pretty sure I haven't watched Spike since the WWE went back to USA Network.

Interestingly, I saw the ad again yesterday, but this time it ran with a disclaimer replacing the first 5 seconds of the ad, indicating that the SpyGuy, CYHMN? Guy and CZ-J were all lookalikes.

[larry]

Originally Posted by Critic

I doubt I saw the ad on Spike, as I'm pretty sure I haven't watched Spike since the WWE went back to USA Network.

Interestingly, I saw the ad again yesterday, but this time it ran with a disclaimer replacing the first 5 seconds of the ad, indicating that the SpyGuy, CYHMN? Guy and CZ-J were all lookalikes.

I'm still watching Spike because of the UFC shows.

Those lookalikes almost look exactly like the real people! They did a good job on those!

[djcmaz]

Originally Posted by Critic

I've been seeing the same spot (for "My Circle", featuring Alltel register drone, Sprint's SpyGuy, "Catherine Zeta-Jones", "Can You Hear Me Now Guy", and "Orange Splat") here in NJ, where there's obviously no Alltel service. Since I've only seen the ad on cable (Comedy Central, Discovery, USA and Cartoon Network come to mind), I came to the conclusion that it was a national ad buy - similar to the "Bread is Back" campagign Jack In The Box has been running for a few months, and all of Sonic's ad buys for years. (Sonic has no locations in the northeast, since they can't operate drive-ins year-round. But goddamn those commercials make me crave their cherry limeade.)

I use to work in the media field, and yes most ads are placed by agencies as a national buy. Now that most cable and satellite channels are syndicated and sent via satellite feed to local cable companies, you will find on occasion an out of local market ad.

This can happen for a couple reasons..

The national ad buy requires specific placing within a specific show. This type of buy is costly but insures they are not booted by locality direct cable ads.

Or the local cable company left the national ad in as a filler. This happens when thier local sales drop below norm and they choose not to use repetative local ads for fillers.
O

[Mobile Mike]

Larry, I saw the new Alltel ad on TBS today. It is a national commercial. It is like those darn Sonic commercials, which kill me because there is only one location in all of Southern California!!

I do find it hard to take Alltel seriously because they don't have a true national presence like the big 4. So while their ads are funny, it's really irrelevant in Southern Cal.

[larry]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Larry, I saw the new Alltel ad on TBS today. It is a national commercial. It is like those darn Sonic commercials, which kill me because there is only one location in all of Southern California!!

I do find it hard to take Alltel seriously because they don't have a true national presence like the big 4. So while their ads are funny, it's really irrelevant in Southern Cal.

Alltel is wasting their money playing commercials in a market where they have no presence. They have no business playing national commercials because they are not a true national carrier. They don't even cover most major markets on the East Coast or West Coast.

By the way the commericals play on Spike TV every time the UFC Ultimate Fighter or Unleashed is on. So anyone who wants to see them just watch Spike TV on Monday or Thursday nights.

So there's only 1 Sonic location in So. Cal?? Is that the one I go to in Fullerton?

[Fathead]

Originally Posted by larry

Alltel is wasting their money playing commercials in a market where they have no presence. They have no business playing national commercials because they are not a true national carrier. They don't even cover most major markets on the East Coast or West Coast.

By the way the commericals play on Spike TV every time the UFC Ultimate Fighter or Unleashed is on. So anyone who wants to see them just watch Spike TV on Monday or Thursday nights.

So there's only 1 Sonic location in So. Cal?? Is that the one I go to in Fullerton?

Now come on. It's probably just as cost effective for them to buy space on tbs and spike as it would be to go to every cable operator they cover (and their native footprint is huge) and buy space. I guess Sprint better make sure none of their commercials ever get seen in Montana. Or Cingular here. Or Verizon in east oregon.

[Critic]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Larry, I saw the new Alltel ad on TBS today. It is a national commercial. It is like those darn Sonic commercials, which kill me because there is only one location in all of Southern California!!

I do find it hard to take Alltel seriously because they don't have a true national presence like the big 4. So while their ads are funny, it's really irrelevant in Southern Cal.

Geez - is it me, or is there a real funny echo in here? =)

In related news, Sprint is running a new A900 commercial with a funny twist. Two guys are in a locker room comparing the features of their Sprint phones - "Mine has TV", "mine has e-mail" and so forth. Finally, the second guy says "Mine has 'theft deterrent'." The first guy is puzzled, so he's challenged by the second guy to try and take his wallet. First guy starts into all kinds of odd fake-karate moves, and the second guy just hurls his phone at first guy's head.

Sure, it's not a real feature, but it's a funny commercial, because you don't see the punchline coming - you expect it to be a CGI electroshock or something, not one guy coldcocking another guy with a phone.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Critic

Geez - is it me, or is there a real funny echo in here? =)

In related news, Sprint is running a new A900 commercial with a funny twist. Two guys are in a locker room comparing the features of their Sprint phones - "Mine has TV", "mine has e-mail" and so forth. Finally, the second guy says "Mine has 'theft deterrent'." The first guy is puzzled, so he's challenged by the second guy to try and take his wallet. First guy starts into all kinds of odd fake-karate moves, and the second guy just hurls his phone at first guy's head.

Sure, it's not a real feature, but it's a funny commercial, because you don't see the punchline coming - you expect it to be a CGI electroshock or something, not one guy coldcocking another guy with a phone.

I almost fell on the floor laughing at this commercial, and everytime I have seen it I crack up.
Especially when he throws it at the guys head the 2nd time.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by Fire14

I almost fell on the floor laughing at this commercial, and everytime I have seen it I crack up.
Especially when he throws it at the guys head the 2nd time.

That only works if you're using a MicroTAC or DynaTAC... do you think a RAZR or A900 will hurt if you hit someone with it? Heck no! They'll pick it up and run away, and all you've done is lose an expensive phone.

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

So while their ads are funny, it's really irrelevant in Southern Cal.

Alltel does have a network in Southern California, but I do agree out of market for the LA area.

[larry]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

Alltel does have a network in Southern California, but I do agree out of market for the LA area.

And where is that? The Salton Sea or something? That doesn't count

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Here is the latest map from Alltel of their licensed areas.

[inquirer22]

Actually that is an old map. I don't know why they don't update all their maps. Personally, I think their mapping department is either lazy or incompetent. I wrote them, but then they only updated some if their maps. If you would have copied the NON-enlarged map it would be up to date. The map you saw is missing the big chunk of Idaho that they got in a swap with US Cellular. It is also missing the pending licenses in Iowa, Minessota, & Wisconsin from Mid-West. It is also missing southern Illinois that they just got. Plus there are a few counties in in northern VA that they got. Their individual state maps are all updated except for Idaho.

http://www.alltel.com/corporate/medi.../uswlssmap.jpg

I really don't understand why people are criticizing the commercials. We get commercials from the supposed national companies: Cingular, Verizon, Sprint, & T-mobile. They really shouldn't be called national as much as urban and major roads. If it weren't for Alltel coverage, My phone would only suffice for a paper weight when I go out to the western half of my state.

[larry]

As far as I know Alltel still uses the Cellular One brand name in the small parts of CA where they do offer service.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

Alltel does have a network in Southern California, but I do agree out of market for the LA area.

Even so, Imperial County is part of the Yuma, AZ Market, so in a way, Alltel's presence in SoCal isn't really a presence. Considering there are only a about 150,000 residents in Imperial County versus over 20 million in the other 9 counties that make up Southern California, Alltel in practically non-existent here.

As for Inyo, Mono, and Alpine Counties, they are part of the Reno, NV Market. Again CA counties that are part of a market in another state. Also, the populations of these counties are as minute as Imperial. No major market presence in this state.

[djcmaz]

Originally Posted by MOTOhooligan

That only works if you're using a MicroTAC or DynaTAC... do you think a RAZR or A900 will hurt if you hit someone with it? Heck no! They'll pick it up and run away, and all you've done is lose an expensive phone.

The samsung A920 is a pretty hefty phone... and just may do the trick...lol

[agentHibby]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Even so, Imperial County is part of the Yuma, AZ Market, so in a way, Alltel's presence in SoCal isn't really a presence. Considering there are only a about 150,000 residents in Imperial County versus over 20 million in the other 9 counties that make up Southern California, Alltel in practically non-existnt here.

As for Inyo, Mono, and Alpine Counties, they are part of the Reno, NV Market. Again CA counties that are part of a market in another state. Also, the populations of these counties are as minute as Imperial. No major market presence in this state.

I am surpized at over 150,000 living in the Imperial Valley . I was thinking more around 110k~120k. For TV they are the same market. They are different license for Cellular and BTA and MTA.

I have lived in both El Centro and Calexico for a few months as well as San Ysidro (San Diego). I was in El Centro when Sprint came to the Imperial Valley and all the hype it had. Most people had Airtouch pagers (even agentHibby reverted to a pager because of no Airtouch Cellular service).

A question?
Do you count US Cellular's network in Ukiah and Eureka as CA or more Oregon since USCC covers all of rural OR??

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by agentHibby

A question?
Do you count US Cellular's network in Ukiah and Eureka as CA or more Oregon since USCC covers all of rural OR??

It would depend which market those places are actually a part of. Eureka has its own media market, but I don't know about cellular. It just happens to be that Alltel's CA properties are in counties that are part of neighboring state's markets.

I'm curious about the answer to your question as well...

Anybody else have an idea??