SSC Marketing Comments On Comedy Train Announcements

May 29, 2012 - PRLog -- SSC Marketing were amused to hear today that Blackadder star Tony Robinson has helped coach rail staff to deliver new "comedy" announcements. Written by Richard Preddy, who wrote the sitcom Green Wing, the announcements aim to make the Birmingham to London journey enjoyable. In one, passengers listening to "noisy iPods" will be advised to get a better taste in music.

“It’s always nice to bring a bit of humour into the situation,” said our source at SSC Marketing, a London-based sales and marketing company, “Maybe the announcements will cheer up some of the morning commuters, and bring a little smile to their day.”

Robinson, who played Baldrick, spent a month helping Chiltern Railways staff learn the lines. The announcements will also be heard at London Marylebone Station.

Preddy said: "We have all waited for a train or a bus into work as the rain pours down and bustled our way to a seat and I think comedy can help to alleviate that stress. Everyone we met was so enthusiastic and the feedback so far has been fantastic. It's important to note that we aren't trying to turn everyone into a comedian. Rather we are hoping to bring out a little more of the staff's personality and humour via their day-to-day announcements and help cheer up the commuters along the way."

Our source at SSC Marketing said, “I think it’s great that they’ve brought in such a great comedy writer to do the announcements. Green Wing was a hilarious series, so if Preddy brings some of that irreverent comedy style to the table it will be hard not to laugh.”

The announcements passengers will hear as part of the team-up between Chiltern Railways and the UK TV comedy channel GOLD, include:

"I'd like to welcome passengers boarding this 7.33 from Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone. If you've just bumped into someone who you barely know, you now have one hour and 30 minutes of awkward small talk. Good luck."

"For any passengers who've not visited London before, do please prepare yourselves for the capital's overwhelmingly calm and relaxing pace of life."

"We will shortly be passing through West Ruislip where we will be racing the Underground trains. Do please feel free to cheer for our driver."

"Will any passengers listening to noisy iPods please get a better taste in music. Thank you."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18050473