The cobra effect is poisoning digital marketing

Richard Shotton uses the tale of Delhi’s cobra bounty as a warning against setting ill-thought-out digital marketing targets.

Of all the decisions made by the colonial governor in Delhi, offering a bounty for dead cobras was one of the worst.

It had seemed a sensible policy. After all, cobras were a deadly hazard that needed culling. But as the governor had limited manpower at his disposal, he needed others to conduct the cull. So, a small bounty was offered for every dead cobra handed in to the authorities.

Credit: Boris Smokrovic / Unsplash

Be a member to keep reading

Join Mumbrella Pro to access the Mumbrella archive and read our premium analysis of everything under the media and marketing umbrella.

Become a member

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella newsletter now.

"*" indicates required fields

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing.