Brandon Chandler has lived in
Cincinnati most of his life. He currently runs his own cab business in the
city. He began driving for a company called Emerald Taxi three years ago. He
left that company over a year ago and began his venture with Cincinnati Taxi.
The company has quickly become one of the most popular cab companies in the
Cincinnati area. The company sticks out amongst the other cab companies because
Brandon makes it a priority to connect with his customers.
Danielle Jewell: What are your
responsibilities, and which integrate marketing and business objectives for
your organization and/or clients?
Brandon Chandler: I’m responsible for a
little bit of everything. I take trips, schedule trips, communicate company
information with other drivers. I do marketing for the company. The company has
an app that makes it simple for customers to order their cab and track it. The
advertising I do for the company is mostly by word of mouth. I advertise
through Google as well. When I first started in the business, I went to hotels
all over the city and dropped off business cards, and spoke with managers. Many
hotels in the area contact our company when their customers need cabs.
Danielle Jewell: What methods of
communications does your company use to reach the public and how are they
effective?
Brandon Chandler: Well, mostly I
communicate about my company directly to my customers. I speak to many people
everyday, so this seems to be the most effective way to advertise. I just
started advertising through Google, so I’m hoping to see a good response from
that. We have also had good feedback from the app.
Danielle Jewell: What are some examples of
communication strategies you have used to achieve success?
Brandon Chandler: It is too early to
tell with Google and the app, but our company’s customer service has been the
most successful communications strategy. I make it a priority that we keep our
cars clean, and keep drivers who have good customer service skills. In the cab
business, sometimes this is all you need to stick out. We do that, and then
have the name Cincinnati Taxi with bright neon green cars. We stick out, in a
good way.
Danielle Jewell: How has your public relations
practice affected the reputation of your company?
Brandon Chandler: We have great public
relations as a company. The cab business in Cincinnati does not have the best
reputation. I hear complaints all the time about dirty cars and mean drivers. I
want to make sure my company does not have that reputation. Keeping our cars
clean and being decent to people isn’t difficult, so that has been one simple
way to stand out and create positive public relations for the company.