Illuminations Brochure 2016

Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool Promoting your business at the greatest free light show on earth

Welcome to Blackpool

Welcome Blackpool is home to some of the UK’s most iconic tourism assets and hosts the biggest cluster of nationally branded visitor attractions outside London.

Loved and visited by millions, it occupies a unique place in the hearts and minds of the British people. Today, Blackpool attracts more than 13m visits a year, offering a heady mix of extraordinary heritage coupled with contemporary attractions.

The reinvention of long-standing attractions for a modern-day audience is one of the principal reasons why Blackpool has maintained its status as the UK’s most popular seaside destination.

And nowhere is that formula more apparent than in what has been described as the greatest free light show on earth – Blackpool Illuminations which attracts over four million visitors during its 66 night run.

To take the Illuminations into the next generation, we now also have the LightPool Project which offers a unique mix of sound and vision. What better way to promote your business or brand than becoming an official partner?

This is YOUR opportunity to become part of something iconic.

www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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Blackpool Illuminations facts and figures

The Illuminations team design, produce and maintain the Lights at the resort’s Lightworks depot

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Television star Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is a creative curator for the Illuminations

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The millions of people who visit the Illuminations each year spend in excess of £230m

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www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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Over one million lights spread over six miles of Promenade

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The Lights start with the world-famous “Switch-On” event and run for a minimum of 66 nights

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The display stretches for six miles, from Starr Gate in the south to Bispham in the north

Facts and figures

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The Switch-On event attracts TV, radio and additional media coverage from across the globe

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The mountain of lighting equipment is worth over £10m

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Electricity consumption has fallen by two thirds in 10 years due to use of LED technology

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Blackpool Illuminations cost over £2m to stage each year

Of the most memorable Switch-On stars

1953 - George Formby 1959 - Jayne Mansfield 1964 - Gracie Fields 1978 - Terry Wogan 1979 - The Muppets 1985 - Joanna Lumley 1988 - Andrew Lloyd Webber 1994 - Shirley Bassey 1999 - Gary Barlow 2007 - David Tennant 2008 - Top Gear 2009 - Alan Carr 2010 - Robbie Williams 2014 - Peter Kay 2015 - Tim Burton

www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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LightPool

LightPool “LightPool” brings a new dimension to the traditional Illuminations featuring 3D light projection shows, gallery installations, town centre sound and light shows and illuminating events.

Thanks to more than £2 million of investment from the Coastal Communities Fund, 2015 saw the debut of a wonderful and electrifying new attraction which simply took our visitors’ breath away. LightPool saw The Blackpool Tower building transformed into a sea of light, colour and sound as a stunning digitally mapped, multi-media show was projected onto this iconic structure.

Utilising state-of-the-art digital mapping techniques, bespoke moving images are projected on to the building’s seaward fascia, allowing it to be viewed from the Tower Festival Headland accompanied by specially designed audio to enhance this new lighting experience.

The new additions have generated national level awareness and 41% of leisure visitors to the illuminations in 2015 felt the new LightPool attractions were important in their decision to visit Blackpool.

www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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1 Benefits of getting involved 2

From being the official Illuminations Principal Partner to naming a section of the Promenade aer your company, the opportunities are endless.

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www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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Exposure to over four million visitors over 66 nights Association with one of the most iconic free tourist events in the UK Involvement in the Switch-On celebrations

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Coverage across a wide range of media Extensive PR and social media activity via the VisitBlackpool website, associated publications and campaigns

Get involved

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Brands associated with Blackpool Illuminations

These are just some of the national and international brands that have been associated with Blackpool Illuminations down the years

Testimonials Anna Blackburn, CEO of Beaverbrooks said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Blackpool Illuminations for the ninth year running. The Illuminations are a huge part of the community and we are proud to be a part of the magical experience.”

Founder and managing director of KRS, Sven Knight, said: "It is wonderful to this year again support Blackpool Illuminations. KRS has built its reputation on facilitating the creative industries throughout the country with core staff sourced from the Blackpool and Fylde area.”

eviivo CEO Michele Fitzpatrick said: “We are thrilled to be supporting this year’s Illuminations for the second year running, giving something back to the community. Blackpool is a wonderful holiday destination which holds great appeal for both British and European visitors. We are excited for all of Blackpool’s B&B’s and independent hotels, many of whom we work with, as they benefit from the extra trade and exposure provided by the Illuminations.”

Graham & Brown design and marketing director Mark Radford said: “It is great to be supporting the iconic Blackpool Illuminations, our long association with Laurence Llewelyn Bowen was instrumental in introducing us to the show but now we have seen what has been produced we are extremely happy with the product and feel it is highly worthwhile for Graham & Brown to be financially supporting both the Illuminations and fresh creative and artistic talent like this.”

www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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What is on oer?

Naming Rights Partner This gives a company the exclusive opportunity to become the name behind Blackpool Illuminations.

This sponsorship will deliver you multiple points of content within the six-mile stretch of the main display, as well as embedding your company brand within marketing and promotional campaigns associated with the Illuminations.

LightPool Partner From 2015, a new state-of-the-art digital mapping technology was introduced. During the nightly shows, the front of the famous Blackpool Tower building was transformed by stunning 3D film shows. LightPool offers various new opportunities for businesses to be associated through sponsorship, advertising and merchandising.

Additional Partnerships There are a number of opportunities to make your brand an official partner of Blackpool Illuminations. Examples include: Official Energy Partner; Telecommunications Partner; Insurance Partner; Transport/Travel Partner etc.

Switch-On Sponsor The annual Illuminations Switch-On event is the biggest night in Blackpool’s event calendar. Played out in front of Blackpool Tower, the Switch-On ceremony receives millions of pounds worth of local, national and international PR coverage.

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www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

What is on oer?

Bespoke Section Sponsor Sponsorship of a bespoke section, tailor-made to your requirements. With the expertise of designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and the Illuminations design team at hand, we can work with your marketing team to produce an illuminated feature as well as a unique marketing opportunity for your business.

Tableau Sponsor An opportunity to brand an existing Illuminations tableau.

There are varying sized tableaux available, some over 30m long therefore offering numerous branding opportunities.

Section Sponsor This is available on roadway sections from Starr Gate to Bispham. A number of companies promote their brands in sections throughout the promenade which includes the spectacular Bling display. Participating companies will be featured in marketing and promotional literature for that season’s show.

Arrival Point Kiosk Opportunities to brand the kiosks, leaflet distribution and sampling at key points of contact for the public. Situated at both arrival/exit points to the south and north of Blackpool Promenade, the arrival points are a focal point of attraction for visitors starting and finishing their journey through the Illuminations.

www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations

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To discuss your business requirements in more detail, please email: david.riche@blackpool.gov.uk or call 01253 476426 or 07341 070531 Prices for all of the packages are available on application.

www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations