The organiser of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is inviting brands to reach an audience of over 500,000 visitors by using the event as an experiential platform when it takes place from August 8-11, 2013. The event has revealed two marketing themes for 2013 – Breakfast and Balloons and Arrive Early, Stay Late. The festival is inviting brands associated with the first meal of the day to maximise on the thousands of visitors attending for the early morning ascents. Explained Chris Hathaway, chairman of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Committee: “The Bristol International Balloon
Fiesta is one of the UK’s best loved events with thousands turning out at 6am to see the balloons take flight from the estate. This is a prime opportunity for FMCG and breakfast brands to target our audience.” The event is also launching an Arrive Early, Stay Late campaign to encourage visitors to stay longer on site and create more of a festival feel for the event. The organisers are keen for brands to create experiential activities, which will improve the visitor experience. Interested brands and agencies should contact Ben Hardy – call 0117 904 6509 or email ben@rem-events.com
Yorkshire Tea causes a stir at London’s Victoria Station Yorkshire Tea staged its first piece of major experiential activity last month, hosting a press event aboard the Orient Express. The Yorkshire Tea Train departed London’s Victoria Station with tea-loving passengers – a bevy of journalists, bloggers and loyal brand fans brought together to enjoy a “proper brew”. The event, as reported in the April issue of Stand Out, was organised by agency BEcause and is part of a wider promotional campaign for Yorkshire Tea. Two hundred key influencers, journalists, bloggers and Friends of Yorkshire Tea were invited to the tea party – the Orient Express lounge at Victoria Station was transformed into the Yorkshire Tea Train lounge. Guests were welcomed on board the historic train for a three-and-a-half hour
journey through the countryside that celebrated “a proper brew” with a host of tea-related activities including cocktail making with tea and talks from tea sommeliers. Attendees were able to dance the length of the train with an on-board marching band, and enjoyed afternoon tea served in branded teacups and teapots. Simon Eyles, marketing director at Yorkshire Tea, commented: “This event is the first piece of major experiential activity for Yorkshire Tea and we were thrilled to be able to share it with so many of our loyal fans, some of whom went to extraordinary lengths to show us how much they love a proper brew. By including them alongside bloggers, journalists and key influencers, we were able to provide genuine, feel-good insight into the world of Yorkshire Tea.”
Festival fans search for cheap tickets on discount sites New site statistics from MyVoucherCodes have revealed that the number of searches for 2013 festival discounts is double that of 2012. General festival-related discount searches were up 202 per cent with a marked increase in specific festival-orientated search terms. Festival
tickets, ticket discount, festival discounts, Ticketmaster discounts and Glastonbury tickets were the top five search terms. According to MyVoucherCodes, moneysavvy festivalgoers are looking to gain discounts wherever they can because festival ticket prices continue to rise.
Elephant Parade’s elephant statues will return to the UK for a 375-day tour in partnership with intu – 100 elephants will visit 13 locations from July 21. CBBC is to host a weekend-long programme of live events in Leeds City Centre – CBBC Live in Leeds will take place from July 25-27. Rockingmann Festivals has launched the Isle of Man Festival in association with MTV. It will take place on July 6. ACP Productions has been contracted to deliver full event management for the BBC at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2013. Nova International is to organise the National Lottery Anniversary Run in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Bestival has introduced The Port, a brand new dance arena for 2013. Fergus Linehan has been appointed festival director of the Edinburgh International Festival. Firefly Solar has launched a Cygnus Hybrid Power Generator (HPG). Twickenham Experience has launched a Maori Haka teambuilding package. Stage Electrics has completed a management buy out. The ICC, Birmingham, will host Eventia’s summer conference from June 30 until July 2. Leeds’ First Direct Arena will host the 60th Anniversary BBC Sports Personality of the Year on December 15. Hop Farm Music Festival has been cancelled, blaming poor ticket sales. ESSA has agreed partnerships with Accor Hotels, Freightlink and Eezibuy – members will be able to get discounts. St Edmund in the City has opened as a new events space. Clarion Events has awarded DB Systems a three-year deal to be its sole AV supplier for all of its UK events.
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Balloon Fiesta presents brands with rising opportunities