Category Archives: Publicity

Names/ideas For Internal PR Activities

Publicity

I’m currently a marketing intern at a precision eye-wear firm. I’m supposed to come up with ideas for:

A buzz marketing campaign to be done by the employees : Basically,on this day,all the  employees across verticals go on-street and do whatever they’d like to advertise an offer….Names like “Eyes on the road, Mission vision, Street spectacle:” have come to my mind….Please share names or examples/ideas for similar activities you may have come across. How to make this a successful event?

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Jay’s Answer: To get “buzz” you have to do something worth repeating (for example: a remarkable offer, a silly stunt, or something sentimental). And to make the buzz effective for you long-term, it needs to create a positive association with your company.

Help Me Launch My Women’s Apparel Store At a Mall!

Publicity, Starting Out

How should I go about launching (/opening) of my women apparel store within a mall?

Brand name is Fairy’s – Tagline is ‘wear your magic’ (Location: Pakistan, South Asia)

The location of my store is such that the flow of people is very less in that area of the mall. Usually, brands higher some space in the mall, place a simple counter n shelves in there on the launching day to create brand awareness.I’m planning to do the same but I’m also thinking about involving the public and giving some incentives too. I’m not sure what can i do in terms of announcing incentives. I believe giving discounts on opening wouldn’t have a good impression on customers. So i was thinking to give discount in such a way they may not feel they’re given a discount instead announce a limited time opportunity as in ‘introductory price’. I also want do some activity, place a draw box and giveaway 5-6 dresses. A draw after every hour from 1pm-7pm.

What else should i do in the mall? draw coupons will help in gathering info on building potential customers list but what that activity would be for which they will fill the coupons? Any other innovative ideas?

All arrangements have been done; from branding to decoration. I’d be opening it any day next week.   I have chalked down few launch ideas:

a) hiring a space in the mall, place few mannequins and lace a shelf to hang a few dresses there to display to create brand awareness and location of the store within the mall. (they have this lobby in the mall where such activities can take place)

b) distributing flyers at main entrance of the mall

c) as for pricing I’m not giving any discount but stating ‘introductory prices’ for the first week, term may suggest that the prices would increase after one week (and has built-in discount)

d) after they’ve made purchase, we can ask our customers if they would like to have a cup of tea, coffee or a soft drink and giveaway them a coupon to avail at any  particular food chain within the mall.

What do you say? Is there any need to do more on the day of launch? Any thing interesting or different to stand out in the mall?

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Jay’s Answer: As I see it, there are 2 things you want to do:

1) Get people who are at the mall to visit your store, and
2) Get people who aren’t at the mall to your store

For (1), I suggest not handing out flyers, nor giving discounts or specials, but instead having a fashion show all day. For example, if you can hire a space in the mall, instead of using mannequins (which are easily ignored), have a raised stage with people doing a small fashion show (like a catwalk). Ensure you have a number of your friends around, and have them sit/stand around the stage. Nothing attracts attention like other people already watching something. The cup of tea, etc. is fine to do year-round, if that’s the sort of business you’ll be running – come shop, sit, stay.

For (2) that’s where you’d want to use flyers. But perhaps better, is to offer a special invitation for people who are at the mall to return another day and bring a friend. Perhaps food & a special (private) show for them. Or a series of shows, around different themes (by age, by special occasion etc.)

Imagine That? What’s Next???

Publicity

I work with a county fair and am working on developing our theme for 2011. I’d like to use “Imagine That” as our main theme/headline with a variety of sub-heads and associated artwork. One example is: “Imagine That…A place where kids become Cowboys!” (and art includes a kid in a cowboy hat). I’m struggling with the others in association with some standard county fair attractions and those specific to our 2011 line-up. So far for 2011 we have clowns (of course), an act called Washboard Willy, Wild About Monkeys (which is actually Babboons), Nicks Kid’s Showk, Petting Zoo (all types of animals, cow milking, etc.) 4-H, Carnival, night concerts, etc. Do you have any ideas for sub-heads that might incorporate those things or others?

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Jay’s Answer: The problem you’re having is that the attractions (based on the limited information you provided) aren’t remarkable enough for an “Imagine That” theme. Start with identifying WHY kids love each of the major events/shows, and tie that together with a phrase. For example, it could be “Remember When” (to market to parents), “Have Fun Together” (to market to families), etc.

Gala Name Needed For Non-Profit

Names + Taglines, Publicity

I am in the process of organizing a gala for a for profit Therapy Agency, who’s owner would love to open a not for profit development center, geared towards the opening of a school for children living with Autism and any other nervous system disorder, it is very dear to my heart because my son, Josef is Autistic! We live in the capitol of FL, and this school would be the first of its kind. We plan to have a silent auction, dinner and dancing. The month we plan to have this is in Feb., the weekend before Feb 14th.

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Jay’s Answer:

  • Tallahassee’s Loves
  • For The Love Of Autism

Seeking Endorsements For Clients

Publicity

I have recently started a PR company and I am looking to obtain endorsement deals for my clients. They range from DJ’s to Athletes (female none of them Major league sports). I have been beating my head up against the wall. Is there a typical presentation or best method to achieve this?

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Jay’s Answer: You need to look at two things: the public perception of each of your clients and companies that target the same demographic that your clients connect with.

Let’s pick a DJ. Who are the people that follow him (or her) around? Where are they located? Who raves about them? Who loves their choice in music? What age range? Gender? Spending habits? Are they seen as “clean-cut” or are they a “bad boy” (getting in trouble with the law)? Given this, look to companies who are trying to sell things to the same people who are the DJs fans. There’s a risk to a company if their celebrity spokesperson has some “moral issues” – so the images need to align.

Your presentation must detail: how much of a fan base the client has, who they are, if there’s any conflicts of interest (i.e., they are vegan), what they will and won’t do (wear logo-ed clothing, print ads, etc.).

Need Catchy Name For Bridal Dress Event

Publicity

I work for a nonprofit that typically just sells second-hand, thrift type items. But we have received 100 brand new wedding dresses from a company that went out of business, never worn, tags still on them, that we want to showcase at a one night only Bridal Fair type event.

We want to do like a trunk show, where we line up the dresses and sell dresses that are normally $400-$500 for only $100. It will be a one-night only event, like 5-8pm, to create a sense of urgency. We need a catchy name for the night. And then the challenge is to let people know these are new dresses, not second-hand dresses, so any ideas on how to emphasize that in the messaging and PR?

We will also partner with one local business from a florist, caterer, travel agent and party planner to help pay for advertising, so it’s not just dresses, but that’s what we want to emphasize.

Any suggestions on a name or ways to get our message across are greatly appreciated.

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Jay’s Answer:

…Something New: 100 Wedding Dresses. 1 Night Only. $100 each.

Looking For Ways To Cheer On Co-workers?

Publicity

What are special things being done to let employees know they are doing a good job? What are ways to cheer on progress that is going on in the company and make employees feel important and appreciated?

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Jay’s Answer:

  • Show them the big measurable goal.
  • Tell them what happens when you meet that goal.
  • Show them how their work affects that goal.
  • Regularly update how close you are to that goal (and use a trend line to show last week’s effort, etc.).
  • Allow your staff latitude to creatively (so long as it doesn’t violate any company guidelines/ethics) get your company closer to the goal (flextime, different procedures, etc.)

Valentine’s Day Restaurant Menu Theme

Names + Taglines, Publicity

I want to market a Valentine’s Day menu in a hotel restaurant. I thought it would be fun to do an “aphrodisiac” menu. As for the menu and including the aphrodisiacs, done. I’m having a hard time coming up with a catchy tag line to use in the advertisements. Any help? It’s a prix fixe menu with “his and her” options.

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Jay’s Answer:

  • The Ingredients To A Loving Dinner
  • Feed Your Love Engine
  • Catalyze Your Love

Salon & Spa Valentine’s Day Promo

Publicity, Services

I am the manager of a small but upscale salon & spa in a suburban community. I am in need of some fresh ideas for a Valentine’s day promotion, and unfortunately it can not involve massage or skin care as we currently do not have an licensed massage practitioner or aesthetician. I do, however, have a passionate team of stylists and one incredible nail artist, and we also offer hand-sprayed tanning.

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Jay’s Answer: An essay/photo contest: “Why I need a makeover this Valentine’s Day!”. Winner(s) get the works. Let the public help vote for the most deserving entrant.

Fun And Easy Games For Booth At A Trade Show

Publicity

Does anyone have any fun simple games that will attract people to your trade show booth? the theme I am going by is sports. I’m trying to come up with something fun and attention grabbing.
it’s a trade show that MERSC is holding. I am there to promote the Flint Hills Children’s Festival that the Ordway Center for Performing Arts holds every year for the last 10 years. It’s at a sports arena, so my supervisor wanted to have a small basic sports related game that would attract people to our booth.

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Jay’s Answer: Rent/create a fan that blows a column of air (up). Think of this as a vertical wind tunnel. The contest is: create a paper airplane that can stay aloft longer than anyone else’s.