Clever: Apples to iPods Contest
Sep 8th, 2009 by Val Nelson
I’m impressed by this Vermont tourism marketing campaign, “Apples for iPods Contest.”
It’s that perfect mix of fun, simple, effective, low-cost — and clever enough to get good press coverage and results.
Could you do this for your next campaign?
Campaign Details
To promote fall tourism, the state of Vermont is hanging specially marked wooden apples at pick-your-own apple orchards. If you find one of the special apples, you win an Apple iPod.
So clever, so simple, and just enough enticement for… well, anyone. Who doesn’t want an iPod? Especially if you win it in a fun contest!
Everything about the campaign is both simple and smart — such a beautiful combination. Here’s a taste:
- They chose to focus on apple picking because it’s one of the most popular fall tourism activities in Vermont.
- It’s promoting a popular good cause — local farms and local business. (Include a good cause in your campaign for a big boost.)
- They made a simple and clever YouTube video (above).
- They’ve got the domain name, applestoipods.com, to go with it.
- Apples are the state fruit, and so all-American. It’s hard to go wrong with apples (the edible kind or the iPod kind)!
And it keeps working for Vermont every year.
Can You Do This?
- Are you willing to buy a few sought-after items like iPods or netbooks as contest prizes?
- Do you have a contest idea?
- Can you connect it to a popular cause?
- Do you have fans or social media followers who can help spread your message?
- Maybe a social media intern to help create a clever video?
It’s not hard but you might need a little help finalizing the strategy and getting it off the ground. It works and it can be fun!
What campaigns have gotten your attention? Please share your comments and ideas below.
Now I’m craving a nice crisp fall apple. You?
