Fans Cry Foul Over StarHub’s “Expat Exclusive” Euro 2012 Deal

[Conqueror]

Fans Cry Foul Over StarHub’s “Expat Exclusive” Euro 2012 Deal

Starhub has scored an "own goal" with its expat exclusive promotion (screen grab from starhub.com)


Hot on the heels of a public outcry over a three-fold increase in Euro 2012 subscription packages, Starhub has admitted conceding an "own goal" in its latest promotional deal.

The "Expat Exclusive" promotion, which started earlier this month, offered gifts worth $50 to European expats who signed up for Starhub's UEFA Euro 2012 television package.

These gifts include a mug, a travel bag, a portable fan and a six-can cooler bag.

Specifically, it targeted fans from England, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. According to a report in the Straits Times, the promotion was marketed directly to the expatriate fans through their clubs and association publications.

The deal, which is no longer on offer, comes after Starhub priced its Euro 2012 package at $69.55 — more than three times it charged for the last Euro.

Long-time Starhub subscriber Marie Lim said she felt "under-valued and a little betrayed" by its latest marketing gimmick.

She added: "I think it is only right that if there is going to be any promotion, then local customers who have been with Starhub a long time should benefit first."

In response to mounting criticism, the telecommunication company posted an apology on its Facebook page, apologising "for any ill-feelings caused to our customers by the UEFA Euro 2012 expatriate promotion".

It added that the promotion was an example of "segment marketing" and was targeted at "different customer groups based on their unique needs and interests".

But it conceded that the promotion has backfired. "We now realise that we have scored an own goal. We deserve a red card for this."

As a peace-making gesture, it will now offer the goodies to the first 2,000 customers, regardless of nationality, who sign up for the package.

But the goodwill move cut no ice with most Singaporean fans contacted by Yahoo! Singapore.
England fan Terrence Chuan said "the damage has already been done no matter what Starhub do now".

Still, the 31-year-old accepted that "making the promotion available to all fans is better than nothing".
Likewise, Germany supporter Evelyn Mak said "Starhub should have known better than to come up with such a promotion". She also chided the company for using "insensitive" words such as 'expat exclusive'" in their marketing material.

But there were others who were more sympathetic. Sales engineer Wong Choon Seng said: "Starhub is free to do any promotion it wants. This time it is for expatriates but I'm sure there will be something for local fans in future."

The Euro 2012 pack, which will show all 31 matches live, is available at $58.85 for fans who sign up before the end of this month. Thereafter, it will cost $69.55.

It is also the first programme to come under the Media Development Authority's "cross-carriage" rules, which means non-Starhub subscribers will also get the to watch the matches, but at an additional activation fee of $10.70.

 

[scroobal]

Its sad reflection of our times when our countrymen are treated as second class.

 

[lee6100]

Its sad reflection of our times when our countrymen are treated as second class.

All this sucking up and pandering to foreigners by our government all these years has led to many of our institutions and businesses not being able to think straight - Caucasians getting away with crimes, primary school registration, foreigners being able to use automated passport machines at the airport (with their foreign passports), housing for PRs, etc, etc.

As long as we hold the pink IC, we must be Number One in our own country. PRs who come here and want to have their cake and eat it can jolly well go home. We do not need people like you in our country. Our sons sacrifice two of their best years of their lives in national service. Any government or regime that treats its own citizens as second class deserve to be booted out.

 

[scroobal]

Sometimes I wonder if we have ourselves to blame. Too nice, too polite, too compliant etc. Nobody wants to say anything derogatory in public even in a closed room discussion. I have gone to such sessions and you should see the majority, sliding and skirting around issues.

One common approach is to talk about policies and its flaws as though it fell from the sky and not put forward by the Govt of the day. I am however glad that we have younger generations who are more prepared to confront and address issues head-on.

All this sucking up and pandering to foreigners by our government all these years has led to many of our institutions and businesses not being able to think straight - Caucasians getting away with crimes, primary school registration, foreigners being able to use automated passport machines at the airport (with their foreign passports), housing for PRs, etc, etc.

As long as we hold the pink IC, we must be Number One in our own country. PRs who come here and want to have their cake and eat it can jolly well go home. We do not need people like you in our country. Our sons sacrifice two of their best years of their lives in national service. Any government or regime that treats its own citizens as second class deserve to be booted out.

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

Its sad reflection of our times when our countrymen are treated as second class.

Wow ground breaking observation.

 

[lee6100]

Sometimes I wonder if we have ourselves to blame. Too nice, too polite, too compliant etc. Nobody wants to say anything derogatory in public even in a closed room discussion. I have gone to such sessions and you should see the majority, sliding and skirting around issues.

One common approach is to talk about policies and its flaws as though it fell from the sky and not put forward by the Govt of the day. I am however glad that we have younger generations who are more prepared to confront and address issues head-on.

Too many comfortable, well-paid yes-men in the system. Paying too well is a double edged sword - it ostensibly reduces corruption but in fact may increase greed. A former MP/Minister now sits on the board of her husband's fund. Scrutinise the number of IPT transactions. Too many IPTs is a sign of parties making use of the company for personal gains.

 

[KoalaJack]

Starhubs a useless company...always moving the goalposts when an agreement is close to happen.