Criticism of Costs: Deutsche Bahn Stops Image Campaign with Engelke
Deutsche Bahn has halted its web series 'Boah, Bahn!' featuring comedian Anke Engelke due to criticism over its high costs, which exceeded seven million euros.
Deutsche Bahn has decided to stop its web series 'Boah, Bahn!', which starred comedian Anke Engelke. The campaign reportedly cost the state-owned company over seven million euros, a figure that has drawn significant criticism from political circles despite being in line with industry standards for similar advertising campaigns. This decision comes after the Bild am Sonntag revealed details about the campaign's expenses and its abrupt end.
The series included seven short films and a song, all of which were promoted on social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube. In the series, Engelke played the character 'Tina', a train chief dealing with typical challenges faced by passengers, such as delays and broken coffee machines in on-board bistros. The high cost of the campaign has raised eyebrows, leading to a political outcry and scrutiny over the use of public funds by the railway company.
Following the backlash, the newly appointed CEO Evelyn Palla and communications chief Jens-Oliver VoΓ have reportedly decided to put a stop to the planned second season of 'Boah, Bahn!', confirming that there will be no continuation of the series in 2026. This decision highlights the ongoing challenges and perceptions surrounding the operations of Deutsche Bahn, especially amid calls for greater accountability in how taxpayer money is spent.