College Basketball ... You don't have to blow your promo ons budget on a pair of ckets to the game to include your membe
Campaign Concepts 2018
Don’t wait un l December to start planning next year’s promo ons calendar. Set yourself up for a successful new year with our Q1 Campaign Concepts! Not sure how to get started? We’ve got you covered! Check out this list of promo on ideas for all of the biggest holidays and events in the first quarter. From sponsor sugges ons to contest examples, we’ve got everything you need to hit the ground running in the new year with campaigns that will a ract local sponsors and excite your audience! Use any or all of these ideas as a launching point to connect with local businesses, sell sponsorships, and engage new and returning members of your audience throughout January, February, and March.
calendar of events These are key event dates to keep in mind when planning your Q1 promo ons for 2018. Don’t let these opportuni es for sponsorship sales and audience interac on pass you by!
January 1 new year’s
jan
february 4
february 14
Football Championship
march 13
valentine’s day
College Basketball
mar
feb
February13 Mardi Gras
apr
March 4
academy awards
march 17
st. patrick’s day
promotion tips how should i promote my campaign?
There are lots of ways to spread the word about your campaign to your audience. Send out newsle ers, men on your giveaways or bonus code words on-air or at promo onal events, or even share them on your social media profiles.
what if i’m on a budget?
Include the cost of a prize in the sponsorship fee or ask your sponsor to donate a prize. Instead of a contest, run a campaign of sponsored trivia, listen & wins, polls and surveys, or bonus codes.
New Year’s Contests The new year offers your audience a fresh start - many will set personal goals, such as ea ng healthier or working out regularly to improve their health.
When should I run it?
Your audience will likely be looking to make posi ve changes and uphold New Year’s resolu ons throughout January, so the first three to four weeks of the year is a great me to execute this type of promo on.
Who can sponsor it? • Local 5K races or marathon events • Yoga, dance, and barre studios • Health supplement stores
• • • •
Healthy restaurants Healthy/Organic grocery chains Gyms/personal trainers Travel agencies
Fact: Annual revenue for the gym & healthy club industry is $21,800,000,000. (source: h p://www.sta s cbrain.com/ gym-membership-sta s cs/)
• Hotels • Car rental agencies
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
UGC IDEA
Title: New Year, New Adventure
Title: Healthiest Year Yet!
Title: In It to Thin It Contest
Target sponsors: travel agencies, hotels, car rental agencies
Target sponsors: healthy restaurants, healthy/ organic grocery chains, health supplement stores
Target sponsors: local 5k races, maraton events, yoga, dance, or barre studios, gyms, personal trainers
Prize: Kick off 2018 on an exci ng vaca on, courtesy of our brand and our sponsors!
Prize: Be your healthiest self this year! Enter for your chance to win a prize pack of healthy supplements and snacks.
Entry/Prize: Tell us why you want to tone up or slim down in 2018 for a chance to win a year of free fitness classes!
football Championship
Sports fans rejoice! Pro-football’s biggest game is also an opportunity for you to score big with your audience. You don’t have to blow your promo ons budget on a pair of ckets to the game to include your members in the ac on--and your local sponsors will be relieved they won’t have to pay that he y $4.5 million adver sing price tag for a commercial spot during the big event.
When should I run it?
The big game takes place on February 4th, so start ge ng your members excited for the ul mate gridiron showdown no later than the second week of January.
Who can sponsor it? • Sports bars • Spor ng good stores • Local barbecue or pizza restaurant
• Grocery stores • Local outdoors and camping supply stores • Electronic stores
Fact: Americans were expected to spend $14.1 billion on supplies for Super Bowl viewing par es in 2017. (source: h p:// www.marketwatch.com/story/this-ishow-much-money-americans-will-spendfor-the-super-bowl-2017-02-02)
• Furniture stores • Local cell phone stores
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
UGC IDEA
BRACKET IDEA
Title: Big Bowl Bash Sweepstakes
Title: Super Selfie Showdown
Title: Pet Bowl Contest
Target sponsors: sports bars, local barbecue or pizza restaurants, grocery stores, electronic stores, furniture stores
Target sponsors: spor ng good stores, local outdoor and camping supply stores, local cell phone stores
Target sponsors: local pet supply stores, grocery stores
Entry/Prize: Snap a selfie in your favorite team’s colors and submit it to our contest for a chance to a new smartphone and fan gear from our sponsors!
Entry/Prize: Submit a photo of your pet decked out in your team’s gear for a chance to win treats for your furry friend and Game Day goodies for you, too!
Prize: Enter to win everything you’ll need to throw the ul mate viewing party for the big game!
MARDI GRAS
Time Let the to break good out mesthe roll! bubbly! MardiValen Gras isne’s a great Dayopportunity is not only the to off most er your roman audience c day a crea of the ve,year, fun promo but it’s also on. a prime me to run sponsored campaigns! There is a long list of local businesses who would make the perfect match for a Valenne-themed promo on.
When should I run it?
Mardi Gras is February 13th, so ge ng your audience excited for the event no later than mid-January. If you plan to run a larger promo on, such as a contest for a trip to New Orleans, consider beginning even earlier.
Who can sponsor it? • • • •
Bakeries Cajun restaurants Bars Liquor stores
• • • •
Grocery stores or supermarkets Party supply stores Travel agencies Hotels
Fact: In 2016, $1.04 billion total state tax revenues were generated by travel and tourism in Louisiana.(source: h ps:// www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/louisiana-research/index)
• Car rental agencies • Event-planning companies
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
UGC IDEA
Title: Mardi Gras Getaway
Title: Fat Tuesday Sweepstakes
Title: King Cake Contest
Target sponsors: travel agencies, car rental agencies, hotels
Target sponsors: party supply stores, eventplanning companies, cajun restaurants, bars, liquor stores, grocery stores or supermarkets
Target sponsors: bakeries, grocery stores or supermarkets, party supply stores
Prize: Let the good mes roll! Enter for a chance to win for a trip to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans!
Entry/Prize: Enter for your chance to win everything you need to throw a fun Mardi Gras celebra on for you and your friends!
Entry/Prize: Submit photos of your best King Cake! The entry with the most votes will win a Mardi Gras prize pack from our sponsors!
valentine’s day
Ooh la la! Valen ne’s Day is not only the most roman c day of the year, but it’s also a prime me to run sponsored campaigns! There is a long list of local businesses who would make the perfect match for a Valen ne-themed promo on.
When should I run it?
Valen ne’s Day is February 14th, so start pu ng your audience in the mood for this roman c holiday no later than mid-January. If you plan to run a larger promo on, such as a giveaway for a roman c vaca on, consider beginning even earlier.
Who can sponsor it? • • • •
Chocola ers or candy shops Local florists Jewelers Local wedding vendors
• • • •
Wineries Travel agencies Hotels Car rental agencies
Fact: The average annual Valen ne’s Day spending is $13,290,000,000. (source: h p://www.sta s cbrain.com/ valen nes-day-sta s cs/)
• • • •
Gi shops Fine dining restaurants Event-planning companies Local bed & breakfast inns
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
UGC IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
Title: Lovers’ Paradise Sweepstakes
Title: Win Your Wedding Giveaway
Title: Singles’ Night Out Sweepstakes
Target sponsors: travel agencies, hotels, car rental agencies, bed & breakfast inns, wineries
Target sponsors: local florists, jewelers, local wedding vendors, local eventplanning companies, gi shops, travel agencies
Target sponsors: wineries, fine dining restaurants, chocola ers or candy shops, local florists, gi shops
Prize: Enter for your chance to win a roman c Valen ne’s Day getaway with you and your sweetheart!
Entry/Prize: Share your love story for a chance to win your dream wedding from our sponsors!
Entry/Prize: Celebrate singledom with a night of wining and dining for you and your una ached friends!
academy awards
®
And the award for best campaign goes to… you! Hollywood’s biggest night will be a hugely trending topic among your audience, and that means it’s the perfect opportunity to join in the conversa on with Academy Award-themed content.
When should I run it?
Fact: The number of social media comments regarding the 2016 Academy Awards was 7.22 million. (source: h ps://www.sta sta.com/topics/1407/ academy-awards/)
The big night takes place on March 4th, so plan to start your campaign no later than early February.
Who can sponsor it? • Movie theaters • Party supply stores • Grocers
• Local restaurants • Local performance arts organiza ons
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? UGC IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
Title: Celebrity Lookalikes
Title: Pick & Win: Movie Night Prize Pack
Title: Ul mate Viewing Party
Target sponsors: local movie theaters
Target sponsors: party supply stores, grocery stores
Target sponsors: local party supply stores, pizza restaurants
Entry/Prize: Submit a photo of you looking like your favorite celebrity for a chance to win free theater passes, movie snacks and more.
Entry/Prize: Predict the biggest category winners for a chance to win a gi card to a local party supply or grocery store or a movie prize pack.
Entry/Prize: Enter to win free pizza or supplies for your own viewing party.
This informa on is in no way endorsed or administered by, or associated with the Academy of Mo on Picture Arts and Sciences. ACADEMY AWARD® and the Award of Merit statue e are registered trademarks of the Academy of Mo on Picture Arts and Sciences® and are used under license.
college basketball Be part of the basketball frenzy this March! The popularity of bracket promoons during the college tournament is spreading like wildfire, and your sponsors and audience will surely want to join in the madness.
When should I run it?
The tournament begins March 13th, so start ge ng your members excited for the college basketball ac on no later than the second week of February.
Who can sponsor it? • Sports bars • Local barbecue or pizza restaurants
• Spor ng good stores • Grocery stores • Local casinos
Fact: 10% of the U.S. popula on par cipates in a bracket pool. (source: h ps://wallethub.com/blog/ march-madness-sta s cs/11016/)
• Fast food restaurants • Convenience stores
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? BRACKET IDEA
UGC IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
Title: Basketball Bracket Mania
Title: Fan Face-Off
Title: Slam Dunk Sweepstakes
Target sponsors: local sports bar, local casinos
Target sponsors: local spor ng goods stores
Entry/Prize: Fill out a bracket for a chance to win free food for your next tailgate, or VIP sea ng at a local sports bar or casino viewing party.
Entry/Prize: Submit your best fan photo for a chance to win Game Day gear from a local spor ng goods store.
Target spon sors: local restaurants, grocery stores, fast food stores Prize: Enter to win gi cards, free catering, or a shopping spree to stock up on tailgate snacks.
st. patrick’s day
With the popularity of St. Patrick’s Day, you won’t need the luck of the Irish to secure a sponsor for a fun holiday promo on!
When should I run it?
St. Patrick’s Day is March 17th, so start ge ng your members excited about the holiday no later than mid-February.
Who can sponsor it? • Local pubs or breweries • Jewelers • St. Pa y’s Day parade organizers
• Local Irish businesses • Travel agencies
Fact: 46% of adults plan on celebra ng St. Patrick’s Day. (source: h p://www. sta s cbrain.com/st-patricks-day-stas cs/)
• local banks or credit union branches • Car rental agencies • Grocery stores
I’ve found a sponsor - now what? SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
SWEEPSTAKES IDEA
Title: Shamrock Sweepstakes
Title: Green or Gold Giveaway
Title: St. Patrick’s Party Sweepstakes
Target sponsors: travel agencies, hotels, car rental agencies, grocery stores
Target sponsors: local jewelers, bank or credit union branches
Prize: Enter for your chance to win a fun St. Patrick’s Day getaway from our sponsors!
Prize: This St. Patrick’s Day, find your own pot o’ gold OR cash at the end of the rainbow!
Target sponsors: local St. Patrick’s parade organizers, local pubs or breweries Prize: Party like a VIP this St. Patrick’s Day, from appearing in the local parade to snagging the best seats at your local pub’s celebra on!
need more ideas? Looking for more themes for your Q1 campaigns? Consider one of these other holidays or events happening in the first quarter: • • • • •
Mar n Luther King Day - January 15 GRAMMY Awards - January 28 Black History Month - All of February Groundhog Day - February 2 Chinese New Year -February 16
• • • • •
President’s Day - February 19 Daytona 500 - February 18 Women’s History Month - All of March Employee Apprecia on Day - March 2 Tax Prep - All of March (Tax Day is April 15)
Don’t forget to check with local businesses for special events and celebra ons that you could e into your Q1 campaigns. This is an excellent way to engage with your members and the community.
we want to hear from you! Did you hit one out of the park with a recent campaign? Have you landed a big sponsor using a crea ve contest or promo on idea? Tell us all about it! Contact our Syndicated Content Team to ask ques ons, share success stories, or even tell us what you’d like to see in our next engagement blog post or content guide! We can be reached at
[email protected]
Here are a few other contacts you may find helpful: Get product training
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Report a bug
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Discuss ideas, best prac ces, & ways to mone ze your promo ons
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