Tactics Magazine | Page 18
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Road Stories
Santa is a big star, but he didn't mind riding public
transit with his elves on his way to his grotto
at Manchester Arndale in the UK last year.
On December 16, he ditched Rudolph and the
other reindeer, preferring to leave the driving to
someone else, and it was just as well because
it provided some unexpected entertainment to
downtown tram commuters.
As it turned out, Santa did more than lend an
ear to Metrolink riders and their wishes, he also
showed off his singing voice with his group's
rendition of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
Manchester Arndale planned a total advertising
campaign around this little PR stunt. For one, the
tram that Santa and the elves rode was wrapped
in the center's holiday graphics and promoted
the grotto that opened on November 24, urging
shoppers to hop online to pre-book their visit. The
holiday cast members also had with them copies
of the Elf Times newspaper, with more information
on the center's holiday line-up.
Event firm MayNineteen captured it all on video
and posted the reel on the center's channel at
MachesterArndale.com/tv. The video also made
it onto YouTube.
The previous year, another PR program that
the center and Visit Manchester orchestrated
took the form of a contest. Local residents were
asked to watch a video of Santa exploring some
of the city's top sites, count how many times he
appeared in the video and submit their answer for
a chance to win a weekend break in Manchester,
along with £500 ($810) in Manchester Arndale
vouchers.
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Christmas Elves head to the Metrolink tram
Santa visits Manchester
LED holiday lighting – energy
efficient and affordable
It wasn’t so long ago that LED lights were prohibitively
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make LED lights even more affordable because we deal
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middleman markup.
Of course, today’s LED technology offers environmental
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check out our complete line of LED holiday lighting at
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For your free 28-page full-color catalog call 800-733-9617
or email [email protected].
Better Products at Better Prices
®
©2012 Creative Displays, Inc.
18 Tactics Ad_FINAL.indd 1 THE HOLIDAYS
TACTICS /DESIGNING
www.creativedisplays.com
5/9/12 8:41 PM
U U U 800-733-9617