Put Spring in Your College Marketing Plans
By Bobby Markowitz
The weather may be turning colder, but now is the time to think about adding some heat to your 2008 marketing plans. EarthQuake Events has two exciting opportunities to reach college students and loyal alumni, BeachBlast at Spring Break and Gridiron Bash Spring Football Tour.
BEACHBLAST at SPRING BREAK
BeachBlast is one of the largest and most successful promotional events in Panama City Beach, Florida during Spring Break. BeachBlast is unlike any other college promotional event in that it caters to over 450,000 college and high school age students from over 250 colleges and universities in the US, and lasts for one full month. This year marks BeachBlast’s 9th year at Spring Break in Panama City Beach. With this kind of experience with the venue and the student demographic, we have been able to create the strongest most successful promotions in the Spring Break market.
EarthQuake Events has a full interactive approach to event marketing which brings continuous excitement and energy to our Spring Break promotions and our clients’ brands. We believe that the students are most interested in not only sampling products but in being a part of an interactive event which gives them a chance to associate the good times they are having at spring break with the products, samples and promotions that are involved. Clients who have run successful Spring Break include:
PartyPoker.com - Poker Tent on the Beach
Vitamin Water - Sandcastle Demolition
PicksPal.com - March Madness Pick Em
1.800.FREE.411 – Dash for Cash
Since Panama City Beach attracts more college students then all the other Spring Break locations combined, we know that the promotional value of being involved in BeachBlast continues to be immense. With more than 450,000 students from over 250 colleges and universities spanning more than 40 states in the US, this promotional opportunity is the best way to have nation wide reach while being concentrated in one area.
GRIDIRON BASH SPRING FOOTBALL TOUR
As the popularity of college football continues to rise, the desire for off-season programs to feed that appetite increases. Sports & Entertainment have a deep rooted history together as an effective platform to reach and capture die hard, casual and periphery fans. Gridiron Bash will become the sports & entertainment platform to take Spring Football to the next level.
What is Spring Football? Traditionally, major Division 1 football schools hold spring practices and “Spring Games” to showcase the following year’s squad and new recruits. Attendance for Spring Games at select universities reaches upwards of 92,000 fans. Spectators include college students, alumni and general team fans.
Gridiron Bash will leverage the excitement around the spring game by creating a unique fan experience. In 2008, Gridiron Bash will occur simultaneously around the country on April 18th on the eve of the 15-20 participating schools spring games. Total anticipated attendance is projected at 750,000-1,000,000+ people. Gridiron Bash will encompass a wide variety of elements including pep rallies, FanFest, autograph signings, chalk talk sessions, tailgating, football expo, final team practice walk through and a premier music concert featuring artists with ties to the university or region. Multiple events will take place on different college campuses on the same day around the country, creating a made-for-TV media platform that could become the largest sports based event platform in the country.
Now is the time to start planning for your college spring marketing promotions. EarthQuake Events has the experience and know how to help your brand make the grade.