Barqo is the platform that connects renters and boat owners. The company’s mission is to make boating more accessible to everyone. In this article, Thijs Jansen, founder of Barqo, explains how the company has used PR to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to Presscloud, he was interviewed on RTL EditieNL on the day he released the statement.
Challenge: Communicating During the COVID-19 Crisis
Barqo, as a leader in boat rentals, saw a significant increase in rental inquiries. Jansen says, "Many Dutch people want to relax outside while adhering to RIVM guidelines (the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). Since there is enough space on the water to maintain social distancing, we happily rent our boats out to families so they can take a break."
Communicating during the COVID-19 crisis requires careful consideration, as evidenced by the commotion that ensued after RUMAG launched a controversial COVID-related campaign. How do you convey a message during this crisis in a way that does not appear to be profiting from this terrible virus? And how do you ensure that this message reaches the right editorial teams?
Approach: Emphasize RIVM Guidelines
"During the crisis, we wrote a press release. In it, we considered all the sensitivities surrounding the topic," says Jansen. "We saw a significant increase in the number of requests on our boat platform. We emphasized that not every inquiry results in a booking. Because we follow RIVM guidelines, for instance, we don't rent to groups. In this way, we underline as a brand that we consider health regulations important and stand behind the guidelines."
How did the 'Booking.com' of boat rentals ensure the message reached the right editorial teams? "We distributed the press release through Presscloud. With their software, you can easily create a complete press list, ensuring it is seen by the right journalists."
Result
"An hour after we sent out the message, we were already called by Editie NL!" Jansen says excitedly. That very evening, he was featured in the broadcast on EditieNL.
Jansen adds, "I recommend Presscloud to others because it’s user-friendly software. It enables me to share a press release with the media without the need for a PR agency."
