insideKENT Magazine Issue 41 - August 2015 | Page 16

NEWS

MAKE YOUR OWN STORY IN KENT

Visit Kent is compelling people across London
and the South East to make their own story in
the Garden of England this summer.
The destination management organisation
for Kent has unveiled the new images – and
videos – behind its major summer marketing
campaign designed to inspire residents and
visitors across London and the South East to
take a trip to the county this summer.
Rochester Castle, Shepherd Neame’s
beachfront pub The Zeatland Arms in Kingsdown
near Deal, and Dreamland Margate are the new
stars of the advertising campaign and the eyecatching images, along with several other stunning
shots, went on display across London’s rail and
tube network from 1st July.
In addition, Visit Kent has also produced
three new films showing Kent’s ‘story’ from the
perspective of a family, a couple and a two friends
on an adventure. The films, produced by Woofy
and featuring music by Deal band Cocos Lovers,
aim to show Kent in a fresh and surprising new
light, and compel viewers to ‘make your own
story’ in the Garden of England.
The films are supported by a social media
campaign, where Kent visitors and residents are

encouraged to share their unique stories with
pictures and videos using #YourKentStory.
The films can be viewed at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7neUlswKhi4.
This is the latest stage of Visit Kent’s awardwinning annual summer advertising campaign,
developed in partnership with M&C Saatchi, to
show the Garden of England in a 21st-century
light.
The campaign is now in its fifth year, and
research has shown it to have a high delivery of
results. The advertising campaign also includes
images of Ramsgate Royal Harbour, Hever Castle,
Turner Contemporary, Dover Castle, Port Lympne
Reserve and Botany Bay in Broadstairs. It is
supported by Southeastern, one of Visit Kent’s
leading partners.
Visit Kent chief executive, Sandra MatthewsMarsh MBE, said: “Our summer campaign has
always aimed to surprise and intrigue viewers,
and to challenge people’s perceptions of the
Garden of England.
“This year, we have taken this to another
level. We are sure that people will be blown away
by our visuals. The new pictures sit perfectly with
our existing images – people will see the perfect

seaside pub, a commanding yet beautiful castle
steeped in history, and the retro chic of Dreamland
Margate, which really reflects the changing face
of Kent.
“Our new films tell the story behind these
images, showing different travellers exploring,
discovering and enjoying places and activities
that many people wouldn’t believe were in Kent.
“The success of our campaign to date
shows that striking images inspire more people
to choose our county for a short break. And they
also inspire Kent residents to explore other parts
of their county.”
www.visitkent.co.uk

THE CANTERBURY TALES SCOOPS TWO AWARDS
The Canterbury Tales visitor
attraction has been awarded two
accolades by its parent company,
Continuum Attractions.
Continuum Attractions runs
seven highly successful attractions
across the UK, which collectively
welcome more than a million visitors
every year.
The Canterbury Tales picked
up the award for Best Mystery
Shopper, which is presented to the
attraction with the best score at the
end of the year following 12 mystery
shopper visits. The mystery shopper
judged The Canterbury Tales on all
aspects of their visit, including
welcome, cleanliness,
entertainment, gift shop and
customer service – at which the
attraction consistently excels.
There were further celebrations
when duty manager, Callum

Donnelly, picked up the Bright Idea
award for promoting a ‘sense of
family’ among all the Continuum
Attractions through cross-site
promotions. He was also praised
for organising a full live-guided event
at The Canterbury Tales during May
half term and for promoting a ‘What
Would Disney Do?’ ethos to create
a sense of magic at the city-centre
attraction.
The awards were presented
at a special ceremony held at
Continuum Attractions’ Coronation
Street The Tour attraction in
Manchester.
The awards are the latest
good news in what has been a
hugely successful year so far for
The Canterbury Tales.
A recently-completed £20,000
refurbishment is breathing new life
into the St Margaret’s Street site,

which is introducing a number of exciting new events throughout 2015;
while in February, the attraction was presented with a special Welcome
Accolade by VisitEngland.
One of Kent's must-see attractions, The Canterbury Tales provides
a great introduction to the cathedral city and its famous literary connection
as well as being a hugely entertaining day out for the whole family.
For more information, including ticket prices and opening hours, visit
www.canterburytales.org.uk.

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