 |
|
|
|
 |
An artful contest can be an engaging way to connect with your audience, generate leads or promote your brand. This month, we highlight a few winning campaigns. |
|
 |
An “old" brand gets fashionable. The Design it with Post-it contest will give a talented fashionista $5,000 and time with design icon Brian Bailey. But it’s just part of a campaign that began with an innocent “what if?” by a creative marketing manager. When Sherry Browne took on the Post-it Brand at 3M Canada, she wondered if Project Runway Canada might be open to a sponsorship to lift a “mature” brand and reach women age 25-54. With the help of agency Due North Communications, one episode had the show’s contestants create gowns made of Post-its. |
|
 |
 The power to change behaviour. Quit smoking and win a hybrid! Possibly the only contest to require winners to take a urine test, the Driven to Quit Challenge is run by the Canadian Cancer Society, Ontario Division. With winners to be named April 27, the goal is health promotion. “The real success for us is to build the support of our community partners — and every participant wins the ultimate health benefit,” says Jordan Moore, senior coordinator, communications, Canadian Cancer Society Smokers' Helpline in Hamilton, Ont. |
|
 |
A way for contestants to share content. Social media applications are within easy reach for anyone to create a contest or promotion calling for photos, videos or other user-generated content. Vancouver-based Strutta has developed a do-it-yourself online contest engine that's inexpensive and turn-key. Recent campaigns include Launch Party Vancouver's best start-up contest and the Ski and shoot sunshine contest at Banff’s Sunshine Village. |
|
 |
Prizes in the eye of the beholder. From a chance to win a dream date (well, a photo op) with David Beckham at Sanford Brands’ Write Out Loud with Sharpie contest, to Kimberly-Clark's Sweepstake to earn a year's supply of Kotex, your prize is in the eye of the beholder. For the ultimate consumer’s-eye view and analysis, check out the tools and resources on Contest Queen, a site run by Carolyn Wilman, a marketer-turned-contestant who co-founded the Canadian Contestors' Association. |
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
| |
 |
Sourcing meeting promo products? Why not enter the free draw, or score yourself a $400 Wii Fit simply by sourcing your items through MarketingWarehouse.com. A leading supplier of promo products including Eco totes, USBs, stainless water bottles, apparel, gifts and more, MarketingWarehouse.com provides quality, affordable branded merchandise to leading companies, agencies and meeting planners.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
APRIL 16 IS NATIONAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY DAY
Where: Look under NMID Chapter Events to find professional development sessions hosted by MPI in eight cities across Canada.
Why go: Join forces with a community of 1,700 meeting professionals.
What’s in it for you: Raise your profile as a meeting pro and gather ideas to take back to your organization to raise the bar of your own events.
|
|
 |
CORPORATE TRAVEL MANAGEMENT
When your best hotel rate is bettered
Perhaps you struck a hard bargain to negotiate preferred corporate or conference hotel rates. So, now what to do, given that premiums between transient and group or corporate rates are shrinking in some markets, suggests Smith Travel Research. One hotel program consultant suggests it’s fair game to have business travellers ask for the lowest room rate available. The proviso: check the terms. “It may be a lower rate, but keep in mind there might be a different cancellation policy and some of your negotiated amenities may not be included,” says Neysa Silver, who heads the North American hotel practice of Carlson Wagonlit Travel. |
|
CORPORATE GIFTS + REWARDS
Online box of “virtual” chocolates boost brand
Some five million virtual “gifts” are exchanged between Facebook users every day, estimates Palo Alto digital agency AdNectar. These social media goodies can build brands and boost sales in the real world, according to recent research. A study of a virtual gift campaign done for Godiva on Facebook suggests that exchanging branded social gifts online increased people’s purchase intent and awareness of the real thing. People exposed to the virtual chocolates were 20 per cent more likely to purchase a real box of Godiva in the next six months than a control group that was not exposed. Read the release. |
|
INCENTIVES + MEETINGS
Hong Kong sweetens incentives to host groups
If Hong Kong is your organization’s current or potential business gateway into China, its tourism partners are stepping up opportunities to play host there. As part of the launch of its new Meeting & Exhibitions Hong Kong (MEHK) office, a one-stop source for meetings, exhibitions and incentives, the Hong Kong Tourism Board last week made an exclusive Canadian stop in Toronto to sweeten incentives to corporate groups. In addition to preferred access to venues and extra room comps, groups of 100 or more are eligible for exclusive airfares on Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, free receptive tours and even entertainment, if booked by the end of 2009. More details here. |
|
|
|
 |
First nation meetings. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is seeking the services of a senior event manager and event coordinator team interested in planning and administering the support for the delivery of two national meetings being held in May in Toronto and Edmonton. Deadline for submissions: April 8, 2009. See the full tender requirements on MERX.
|
|
|
