Hardly a surprise that a new firm might get its signs vandalised or removed
However, every cloud has a silver lining, and the Birmingam Mail's coverage has a huge advertorial dimension, with staged and supplied photos, and the article generally just used to promote and market the new firm.
Solihull taxi firm offers reward after signs damaged and torn down
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/m ... d-20991004
Direct Taxis appeals for help over what it claimed was 'targeted and co-ordinated' action
A man cleans a Direct Taxis sign after it was vandalised (Image: Direct Taxis/Birmingham Mail)
A new taxi firm serving Solihull is offering a cash reward for information after vandals tore down its signs in what it claimed was "targeted and co-ordinated" action.
Direct Taxis said it wasn't the first time the fledgling company had been targeted, with its advertising being damaged previously.
Writing on Facebook on Monday, July 5, the firm posted: "On our drive past Chelmsley island we've just noticed someone has decided to take our signs off.
"Obviously [they are] not happy that defacing them was cleaned off so easily. Don't worry, they'll be back soon, it's a minor inconvenience.
"If you have any information about who could be involved in taking these signs. We are offering a cash reward if the information leads us to the culprit."
Lee Roberts, the general manager of the new business, told BirminghamLive its small team were trying to stay upbeat and find out who was responsible.
"We're trying to stay positive about it ," he said. "Whenever it happens we post on Facebook and let people know we're still here and it's not going to affect us."
The firm claims to offer the cheapest prices (Image: Direct Taxis/Birmingham Mail)
The company's headquarters are currently being moved from Nuneaton to Chelmsley Wood. Signs for Direct Taxis can usually be seen in Chelmsley Wood and Marston Green.
In May, another sign was vandalised with the firm's number graffitied over. Lee said two separate signs were targeted at the same time on both occasions.
So far, along with the management team, there are 15 drivers and eight operators working for the firm.
"One of the reasons we've had a good reception is because the drivers that work for us want to help the company grow, they want to serve the community and I think that shows," he said.
"We did a big campaign, Facebook push, a few giveaways and then we rode the wave of positivity that came around us.
"Word of mouth has been massive. At the start, it seemed like it was taxi wars and I saw a few comments saying we were paying people to promote us.
"We genuinely weren't but I could understand why people said that because we were getting such good comments."