Search Results for ‘contests’
Did you know that on February 24, 1868 1st U.S. Mardi Gras parade with floats was held not in New Orleans but in Mobile Alabama?
Do you also know the Mardi gras colors and symoblism ~ Purple – represents Justice, Green – stands for Faith, Gold – signifies Power, or that the words MARDI GRAS mean FAT TUESDAY?
Today I had my first taste of King Cake during the monthly HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association) meeting. King cakes are oval, sugared cake with plastic baby baked inside. The person that gets the baby is “king” & has 2 buy the next round of cakes.
We also painted coconuts as a part of the festivities and memento of the event.
You can learn about the tradition of throwing coconuts and the ZULU parade! Read:: http://tinyurl.com/crbg3n&-Pleasure-Club.html
Read the history of Mardi Gras here: http://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history.html
Check out these great photos of the Zulu parade and mardi gras at http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/photos/
In the United States, traditional Mardi Gras fare served on Fat Tuesday includes Cajun and creole specialties such as gumbo, jambalaya, étouffées, seafood bisques, king cakes and beignets.
Here’s some FAT TUESDAY Events of note:
On February 23rd the 1st radio contest was held in Philadelphia. Since then many radio stations around the country have hosted contests on this day in celebration of something. For instance 94 WYSP hosts a Boobs or Bust Bullriding Contest (say that fast 3 times) every year A live broadcast to celebrate Fat Tuesday. Girls come participate in the Boobs or Bust bull riding contest or a wet t-shirt contest. Guys come out and watch. This year, Mention Danny Bonaduce (this year’s host) and WYSP at the door and the first 94 guys get in free. All girls who mention the show get in free. The event takes place at Bootleggers in Woodlyn, PA.
Universal Studios’ Mardi Gras celebration begins its 11-week run Saturday with an expanded schedule, a literary theme for the parade and — eventually — a new stage for the headlining musical acts. Some of the Talent they have booked inlcude Boys Like Girls, Kelly Clarkeson and The Village People. For more information visit Orlando Sentinel.
According to New Orleans Online “exactly 150 years ago, a group of prominent New Orleans businessmen gathered together to form an organization that would welcome the Grand Duke Alex Romanoff Alexandrovitch to the city during the annual Mardi Gras festivities, begun more than a century earlier. That event, and the parade and ball that were established, formed what is now known as the Rex organization and the heartbeat of Mardi Gras. Today, there are hundreds of Mardi Gras clubs (called krewes) that host grand balls and several dozen krewes that conduct elaborate, colorful and, at times, outrageous parades through the streets of the city. In fact, it is hard to imagine this city without the annual spring celebration.” You can learn more about the happenings in New Orleans at New Orleans Online.
Want a unique way of promoting your company, organization or event? Check out the Mardi Gras Marketing Bead created by AMS Novelty Company. Inside the medalian pouch attached to the bead is a mini cd, a folded brochurs and either a casino chip or 4 color scratch card. You can add washable tattoos, candy and more to your Mardi Gras Marketing Beads to give away during FAT TUESDAY.
February 24th, 2009
“Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” Abraham Lincoln
CUSTOMIZE IT – If your state or country only requires you to have one official license plate, you can create a plastic license plate with your company name on it. If that isn’t possible, then buy customized license plate holders with your company name and URL around.
CD IT! - How about creating a CD brochure to give away when you attend networking events. In fact, the mini CD is very effective and most people will keep it to look at later.
GIVE IT AWAY – Donate prizes/services to a local radio station for their on-air contests and promotions.
For those that love useless trivia (like me)… Whose face launched the milk mustache campaign 10 + years ago?
Answer to Market Trivia: Naomi Campbell.
August 20th, 2008
Create a Media Frenzy: 5 Tips to Get Started…
Create a PR file. When you get an idea for a good Media campaign write it down or cut it out and put it in this file. Make a habit of reviewing this file once a month at a specific time (such as the 1st or 2nd). Use this file to create press releases, contests, events and more.
Host a contest – Host an essay contest around a major holiday such as Secretaries Day, Bosses Day or Grandparents Day. Send the winner’s picture to the media along with the winning entry. Jones the Florist in Cincinnati Ohio did that and the local paper ran a picture of the winner with one of Jones the Florists arrangements.
Get “edgy” – Create an event – like Get out of the Doghouse Day – host a contest, create a line of arrangements, send out media releases, interview customers. Eden Florist has done this for 5 years running and we are in the local paper every year, we have been on local and national radio programs and the New Jersey Intelligencer ran a full page article about the day. See www.doghouserepairs.com for more information.
Reward local heros – Find people in your community doing good deeds and send them flowers or a plant. Word travels fast and not only could you be making someone’s day, you could get some great free press from this one simple act.
Write About what You know. IF you are a florist, write about flowers for your local paper. Check out the garden section, find the editorial calendar and submit your ideas and tips to the editor. If it’s good, you will get published.
August 6th, 2008
… Let me Count the WAYS.
Tomorrow (July 21st) is “National Get out of The Doghouse Day” – a National holiday which my team and I created in 1999 – and one of the things that made us FAMOUS. Today got me thinking about some of the strategies we have used to get our name out there to become known in our community and to help others get to know about the products and services my company offers.
Every year at this time I get dozens of calls from Radio stations around the country asking about the holiday which is the “famous” part. Being interviewed by radio personalities all over the US makes me feel sort of like a celebrity, so I guess you could say “I am famous” for creating this holiday. It’s one of my “claims to fame.”
Webster’s defines famous as: renouned, celebrated, well-known, prominent, legendary.
Each of us fits that definition to some extent. The amount of “fame” each of us achieves however, is only relevant if we use it to our advantage. Here are some ways you fulfill the definition of “famous.”
When you write articles and others read them, you are famous.
When you have a loyal following of customers, clients and friends, you are famous.
When you have written a book, you are famous.
When you have volunteered for a fundraiser or some other community service, you are famous.If you’ve ever received an award, you are famous.
If you’ve ever done a heroic deed, you are famous.
In what other ways could you be famous?
Actions and Deeds that you do on a personal basis make you famous such as given your heart to a small child or a senior citizen, you are famous. When you’ve mentored someone or helped her or him achieve a goal, you are famous. And countless other ways!
You can read more about Get Out of The Doghouse Day including press releases, contests and other things we did to promote the holiday at Eden Florist http://www.edenflorist.com/doghousepressrelease.asp.
I’d love to hear from you – What’s your claim to fame? What are you famous for?
July 20th, 2008