February

FEBRUARY 2017 IDEAS FOR SALES PROMOTIONS, DIGITAL PITCHES, AND PROGRAMMING

 

From A&O&B

 

February is…

American Heart Month • An Affair to Remember Month • Black History Month • Canned Food Month • Creative Romance Month•  Great American Pie Month • National Bake for Family Fun Month • National Grapefruit Month • National Heart Month • National Hot Breakfast Month • National Children’s Dental Health Month • National Library Lovers’ Month • National Bird-Feeding Month • National Cherry Month • National Macadamia Nut Month • National North American Inclusion Month  • National Snack Food Month • National Weddings Month • National Embroidery Month 

 

Valentine’s Ideas

 

VALEN-FRIENDS DAY

NTR event. Steal a page from Friends-giving and co-host a “friends” night out for Valentine’s Day. Work with a venue that will have appropriate dance/socializing areas and that can serve alcohol and food. Run this cluster wide rather than as a single station event. Stations provides the promotion, venue provides the space. Negotiate for the cover at the door (which ideally includes a small buffet), the cost of the entertainment, and share of profits from food and beverage sales. Avoid tying in an overnight stay. It’s “Valen-Friends Day” after all. (2018)

 

SECRET LOVE

Sell/up-sell a Valentine’s Day-appropaite client on sponsoring a contest featuring montage of songs with the word “love” in them. Text friendly. (2018)

 

THE “HEART-EST” THING

Two-week digital contest where participating clients appear on a contest-dedicated web page. Several times a day at designated times, the station places a heart next to one of the clients’ names. Listeners have 10 minutes to text in the name of the client. Have daily winners as well as a grand prize winner. Can also include an email campaign for the contests that contain additional sponsor mentions. (Valentine’s Day 2017)

 

10 WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU

Collect romantic experiences to parcel out to multiple winners or to combine in a package for one winner. (Valentine’s Day 2017)

 

BOX OF CHOCOLATES

Version of “Concentration” contest with game board looking like box of chocolates. Chocolates are numbered with different prizes behind each number, though all prizes are in pairs (two prizes for $100 for example). Listeners guess pick two numbers, one at a time, winning if the two prizes match. Obviously extended listening improves chances of winning. Also can post clues online: “If Bonefish is a place where you like to eat, guessing a lower number is hard to beat.” (Valentine’s Day 2017)

 

DOING WHAT SHE/HE LIKES

Give away items mentioned in the song: fajitas, margaritas, blue jeans, sweet tea, ear (rings), hair styling, watermelon candles, radio, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2017)

 

 

Some Valentine’s favorites from years past…

 

LOVEY-DOVEY

Sell to any merchant who can supply a Valentine’s Day-appropriate grand prize. Qualifying listeners win Dove chocolates and are eligible for the grand prize. (Valentine’s Day 2016)

 

LOVE BIRDS

Tweet a loved one or an appropriate sentiment using the hashtag #WXXXLoveBirds. All tweets are entered in grand prize drawing with random tweets winning smaller prizes. (Valentine’s Day 2016)

 

LIP SERVICE

Online game where there are 10 pairs of lips and 15-20 names. Listeners submit guesses to win prizes. Sales opportunities: title sponsor, online presence, email blasts, on air spots, remote with an onsite game for sponsor prizes. For extra fun add some out of format people: Alec Baldwin, President, morning show talent, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2016)

 

HEART TRANSPLANT

Pay it forward fun with listeners registering to win. First caller wins prize and then selects a random registrant as the next winner. That winner, having received the previous winner, names another friend as the next winner. One possible execution: listener gives a number between “1” and frequency. Skip down that number of names to get to the next winner. Announce the winner at the next scheduled giveaway time. (Valentine’s Day 2016)

 

HAPPY GALLONS-TINE’S DAY

Sell this to a casino-hotel and gas station with mini-mart. Qualifiers win gas cards and everyone is entered in a drawing for dinner/night for two at area casino-hotel or nice hotel (or just dinner if you don’t have a hotel as a sponsor).  (Valentine’s Day 2015)

 

HEARTS AND CARTS

Use a ‘have a heart’ theme to launch a charity effort where the station collects teddy bears for kids in hospitals, food for food bank, etc; sell this to a grocery store where people can leave their donations in a grocery cart.  (Valentine’s Day 2015)

 

DINNER AND A MOVIE

Use this as a straight forward promotion for restaurant and a movie theatre. Or, come up with something more complicated – like dinner in a city that’s cheap to fly to and a $100 Amazon gift card to download your favorite films for the flight there and back.  (Valentine’s Day 2015)

 

MY LOVE IS FOREVER EVEN IF THIS TATTOO ISN’T

Sell a tattoo parlor on giving away and discounting non-permanent “heart” tattoos. (Valentine’s Day 2015)

 

HEARTS AND FLOUR(S)

Sell this to as many clients as fit the execution. Listeners register online to win certificates for heart-shaped baked goods/boxes of candy, etc., and qualify for grand prize of new kitchen bake ware from an upscale store like Williams-Sonoma or high-end department store. Variations can include Valentine’s Day flowers, private baking lesson from local baker or supermarket, baking products from supermarket, etc.  (Valentine’s Day 2015)

 

VALENTINE’S MAD LIBS

Just like the Mad Libs game, take a Valentine’s card and remove some of the nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. and ask listeners to fill in the blanks.  Read the ‘bards’ back, post on line, offer the caller a small sponsor prize appropriate to the day. (Valentine’s Day 2014)

 

LOVER, LOVER V1

Grab some quotes from famous on screen romantics – from George Clooney to Pepe Le Pew. Listeners march the phrase to the speaker. (Valentine’s Day 2014)

 

LOVER, LOVER V2

Variation on above: a trivia ‘match the facts about a couple in column A with the name of the couple in column B’ type game. (Valentine’s Day 2014)

 

COUPLES’ VALENTINES PARTY

Register listeners to win everything you need for an evening-out couples’ Valentine’s party: wine and Champaign, cheese, snacks, chocolate, and desert. Sell to nice wine and cheese store, or sell to upscale restaurant that could cater as well. (Valentine’s Day 2014)

 

SOMETHING HEART-Y

Combine sponsors to create ‘basket’ of ‘hearty’ gifts: hearty wine, cheese, heart-shaped box of candy, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2014)

 

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFTING IS A ‘SNAP’

Sell a photographer promotion where giving away couple’s photograph. Other add-on sponsors could be his/her salon visit, dinner, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2014)

 

VALEN-TIMES DAY

Sell a jeweler or other his-and-her watch giveaway to celebrate the winners’ ‘timeless love.’ (Valentine’s Day 2103)

 

CELEBRITY LOVE SHOUT-OUTS

Edit the word ‘love’ from half a dozen or so songs and mash them together. Play and take a guess hourly. Winners receive romantic prize from sponsor: hotel getaway, upscale dinner, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2013)

 

HEARTS TOURNAMENT FOR CHARITY

Hold this at a mall over a weekend. Teams raise money for your station’s favorite charities. (Valentine’s Day 2013)

 

RING AND BLING THING

Web contest where in one column you post multiple pictures of celebrities’ hands showing wedding bands but no faces (you can use country stars only or more) and in the other column post the correct names as well as several more. Each column is in random order with listeners having to match the rings with the names.  All correct entries are registered to win rings or other jewelry from sponsor. (Valentine’s Day 2013)

 

SILVER AND GOLD

Listeners register to win one gold or silver jewelry item from sponsor. (Valentine’s Day 2012)

 

MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

Sell sponsor on providing match.com memberships for qualifiers with grand prize winner receiving appropriately romantic prize.  (Valentine’s Day 2012)

 

THE MOST ROMANTIC WEB PAGE IN (YOUR CITY)

Create a Valentine’s Page where you offer ‘sweetheart deals’ from merchants who’ve purchased an ad there as part of a sales package. Dress the page up with articles about love, relationships, recipes, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2012)

 

HAPPY VALEN-TEXT’S DAY

Listeners text Valentine’s greetings with random texts winning appropriate prizes from sponsor. (Valentine’s Day 2012)

 

I-HEART-THIS-CITY

Create an online page that lists as many local opportunities to participate in charitable work. You can simply provide links for each brief description, or use audio, video, etc. You could make one of these your ‘charity of the month’ on air as well. (Valentine’s Day 2011)

 

LARGEST VALENTINE’S CARD

Buy a billboard for the month of February – prior to the 14^th, post “On Feb. 14^th, this will become (town’s) largest Valentine’s Card! Listen to WXXX!” Qualify listeners’ to be the one who gets to post their Valentine’s message on the board from the 14^th through the end of the month. Could be Sponsorable by resort, etc. that provides a weekend getaway.  (Valentine’s Day 2011)

 

LOVE A KID

Work with your state adoption agency to create a Share the Love/Valentine’s-themed awareness program for promoting adopting children. (Valentine’s Day 2011)

 

1. LOVE

Web contest where men and women send a video with their best love advice. Encourage fun outfits, voices, etc. Listeners for best male and female winners who receive nice prizes and are “interviewed” by the morning show who supply ridiculous copy for the winners. (Valentine’s Day 2011)

 

GIVE AWAY YOUR HEART (OR YOUR EYES OR YOUR LIVER)

Organize an organ donation awareness campaign around a Valentine’s theme. Sell to a business that brands itself as caring about the community. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

Seven Days of R-O-M-A-N-C-E

Sell seven merchants a promotion that includes offering a prize with one of these letters.  First day’s prize: roses from a florist, second day an Onyx pendant from a jeweler, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

NOTHING SAYS “I LOVE YOU” LIKE A BIG OL’ DRILL

Most Valentine’s promotions lean female. Balance your gender appeal by adding a manly prize to your romantic promotion. Women get jewelry, guys get a drill (or certificate to Home Depot, etc.). (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

SECOND HONEYMOON

Sell this to a resort. Listeners qualify to win a weekend with all the extras. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

TEXT YOUR VALENTINE

Sell an “upgrade your phone” to a cellular dealer and include some Valentine-related apps – like a restaurant guide, wine guide, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

WINE AND CHEESE VALENTINE DATE

Sell a romantic date night to a vineyard, wine bar or upscale lounge featuring good wine selection or even liquor/wine store. Possible grand prize bonuses: trip to wine country, monthly wine gift basket, etc. Include wine expert on the morning show to explain nuances, hot wines, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

SEND A RED VALENTINE

Sell a card store (or any place where one might purchase Valentine’s cards, gifts, etc). A portion of the profits from all sales goes to support RED (Aids prevention in Africa). Very on trend for Gen Y. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

CUPID POLL

Post a quick online poll asking listeners to rank some attributes that make a person attractive (brains, money, things in common, good looking, sense of humor, etc.).  You could sell to dating service, business that caters to singles, etc. (Valentine’s Day 2010)

 

GIVE HIM/HER A RING THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

Cell company gives free ringtones to qualifiers who are registered for the grand prize of the ‘hot phone d’jour’ and service.

 

CASH-STRAPPED VALENTINE’S DAY

Partner with grocery store to give budget/bailout Valentine’s Day packages: cans of store-brand soda, microwavable dinners, plastic silverware, paper napkins, etc. But put a “grand” prize in one of the packages: $1,000 (or $1,000 in grocery store gift cards).

 

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW…

Sell a pawn shop on promoting their estate sale jewelry as having a ‘romantic history’ or link the past.  “Imagine that it’s 1940. Glenn Miller is on the radio. The (upscale local restaurant) was serving steaks and sidecars… and the beautiful and mysterious woman in the corner booth was getting a lot of looks. Not because she was so attractive, but because her jewelry was so distinctive.  Every piece of estate jewelry at (Pawn shop) has a history, a link to an era long past…”

 

VALENTINE HOLIDAY HUNKS

Online contest with sexiest Valentines (spouses, significant others) are posted. Listeners vote on winner. Top vote-getters receive prizes from sponsors who also receive spots, on air mentions of contests, email blasts and web presence including links.

 

HAVE A HEART HEARTS TOURNAMENT

Sell a mall, coffee shop chain, wine bar, banquet hall, big box store, department store with large area, even a housing development with a club house. Host giant hearts tournament for charity. Sales package includes naming rights, spots, and remotes from the 2-day tournament. Set appointment times and play fixed number of hands. Lowest players play off to get desired number of final players. The final rounds are played on the next day.

 

PUPPY LOVE

Vet, groomer, pet supply store sponsors adopt a puppy – or any animals that need love – drive. Sales opportunities include daily call-in with pet of the day, remote at sponsor, spot bank, online component with pet pictures and bios. Alternately sell a pet store on discounting ‘gifts’ for pets – blankets, beds, etc.

 

HIS AND HER VALEN-“TIMES” DAY PRESENTS

Watch store sponsors his and her watch giveaway.

 

LOVE SONG MASH-UP

For clients needing a small promotion, pull ‘love’ from five different songs and edit tightly. Listeners correctly identifying the five titles win the prize. There are dozens of songs that could be used; match each with a different client or sell all the games to one.

 

YOU’LL NEVER LOSE ME

Create a promotion around personal GPS devices as a Valentine’s gift.

 

MY HEART BEATS FOR YOU

Sell a gym on awarding a his and her membership (or membership for two) to start getting more heart healthy with aerobics and workouts.

 

HEART-FELT EXPLANATION

Sell medical group or gym or fitness trainer, diet group, etc. a series of on air and online heart healthy tips.

 

VALENTINE’S TEXT CLUB

Sell to a restaurant, movie theatre, etc. Listeners text the station a valentine and receive a text valentine back including sponsor(s) discount coupon(s). One texter receives grand prize of free dinner, or several receive movie tickets, etc.

 

LET HIM DO THE COOKING

Partner with a catering company or personal chef to help a guy do all of the “cooking” for his wife/girlfriend for Valentine’s Day. Sell to caterer, chef, grocery store, butcher shop, wine store, department store that sells silverware and plates, etc.

 

MASS WEDDING/VOW RENEWAL

Find a nice big location to perform a mass wedding/vow renewal. Sell to jewelry store, bridal store, tuxedo rental store, etc.

 

YOUR NEW FAVORITE LOVE SONG

Winning listener gets to have a singer/songwriter pen a personal song. Sell to a music store which may have someone on staff that can do this, or to bar where the house band would do the honors. Play the song on the air.

 

MAKE VALENTINE’S DAY LAST ALL YEAR

Sell to multiple clients (even one or more for every month): florist, candy store, bakery, restaurant, etc. who provide prizes throughout the year so winner receives monthly gifts.

 

“I DON’T HAVE A VALENTINE” PARTY

Sell restaurant, club, movie theatre, or any place where singles can meet on hosting a “singles” party for the night.

 

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Mystery song contest where Nth caller identifies title and artist based only on the word “love” lifted from the song.

 

WEBSITE CLASSIFIED

Allow listeners to post Valentine messages on your website. Sponsorable with sponsor giving away appropriate prizes to randomly selected winners.

 

DINNER AT THE MOST ROMANTIC TABLE IN TOWN

…Yours! Listeners register to win catered meal from hot restaurant, delivered and served by a waiter who also cleans up. Includes violin player (or other live musician), bottle of wine, dessert, etc. Sell to multiple sponsors. Can also include new evening wear, dinnerware, new dining room furniture, etc.

 

COOK UP SOMETHING SPECIAL

Give away cooking classes where listeners can make/learn to make a romantic Valentine’s dinner. Include wine information, table setting advice, etc. Sell to multiple sponsors including grocer, restaurant, florist, party store, etc.

 

HEARTS AND FLOWERS

Sell a bakery a promotion where listeners qualify to win a heart-shaped cake decorated with flowers. Give one away each day the week leading up to Valentine’s Day.

 

OPEN THIS VALENTINE FIRST

Give clues to where morning street person will pass out kids’ Valentine’s to commuters. Several valentines contain modest prizes like a certificate for roses, chocolates, etc. One has larger prize. Sell to multiple sponsors.

 

BE MY E-MAIL VALENTINE

Database members receive station valentine with the day’s secret love song. Nth caller when it plays wins small prize and qualifies for grand prize. Also works where listeners just send station a valentine back (hit reply) and are automatically entered in random drawing for grand prize.

 

STUPID CUPID

Listeners answer Stupid or Cupid (true or false) when given allegedly romantic customs/practices from other cultures.

 

GUSH AND GORE

Variation of “Newlywed Game” with five questions. For every question she gets right, she wins rental of the chick-flick movie of her choice from rental store. For everyone he gets right, he gets his choice of action or sports movie. Morning show players egg contestants on.

 

SECRET LOVE SONG OF THE HOUR

Each hour announce a different love song that will be played within 60 minutes. Nth caller when they hear it wins roses, chocolates and qualifies for romantic dinner for two, limo, flowers, hotel. Sell to multiple clients.

 

1. ROMANCE

Mr. Romance uses “Pepe LePew” voice to give romance tips and the cue to call to qualify for a romantic dinner for two.

 

LONGEST KISS CONTEST

Sell to a mall. Couples e-mail/fax in to participate; had to maintain a kiss with the last couple remaining winning cruise, other big prize. Use “safe” stunts (like making people stand on one leg after a certain amount of time) to speed up end of contest.

 

VALENTINE BABY

Sell to Babies R Us, diaper service, hospital. First baby born on Valentine’s Day wins year of free diapers, clothes, toys, $500 towards college fund, etc.

 

STATION COOKIES

Sell a bakery a schedule and, as part of their payment, have them make heart-shaped cookies with your logo on them to give to morning commuters with coffee.

 

LOVE YOU. MEAN IT.

Morning bit. To win romantic dinner, listener calls significant other on phone only saying “I love you” until spouse says “I love you, too.” Alternately, morning stunt person goes through fast-food drive-thru and continues to say “I Love You” until counter persons says “I love you” back. Counter person wins balloon or flower bouquet.

 

SILLY LOVE SONGS

Listeners call with information about their spouses and then morning team writes new lyrics to familiar love songs using karaoke beds. Listeners can contribute lyrics, too. Fun bit. Try archiving one or two in advance so listeners understand how it works when they hear it.

 

TOP 10 WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU

Listeners call in with ways they say I love you. Everyone who has a call aired wins box of chocolates or similar small prize. Read Top 10 list several times Valentine’s morning. Designated caller that afternoon that can name all 10, wins nice dinner for two or similar prize.

 

COUPLE QUIZ

Ask questions about famous couples in films, history, etc. Correct answers win his/her prizes.

 

SINGLE ON VALENTINE’S DAY

Give away CD singles all day.

 

LOVE-BITES OR LOVE BITES

For couples, give away “Love Bites” – one dinner for two at a nice restaurant. For singles, love apparently “bites” so give away two dinners for one at a bar and grill.

 

VALENTINE’S DAY DRIVE THROUGH

Sell this to a multiple clients. Set up an area where listeners can drive through and receive dollars-off discounts for things to buy their loved one on Valentine’s Day. Register them to win the Grand Prize of a weekend get-away to a romantic location.

 

VALENTINE’S BALL

Team with an upscale restaurant, hotel, etc. to hold a first-class night out for listeners. Listeners listen all month to win tickets which include dinner and dancing. Can open this up to the public for admission, discounted rooms, etc. Additional sponsors: clothing stores, florists, limousine companies, more.

 

COULDN’T WAIT FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

Sell a restaurant on giving away dinners and offering Valentine’s Dinner Specials the day before Valentine’s Day as well as on the 14^th. Not only is it unique on the air, but it deflects some over-flow restaurant crowd to a less crowded day.

 

SECRET CRUSH

Listeners call and identify someone they have a crush on and would like to go out with. Morning show street person visits this person with flowers and a dinner invitation from the secret admirer.

 

FLOWER POWER

Businesses register to be visited by the morning show and have their women receive a rose, carnation, etc. Alternately: don’t register businesses and just show up with the flowers.

 

GREATEST LOVE SONGS EVER

Early in February, listeners e-mail what they think are greatest love songs of all time and why they feel that way. All Valentine’s weekend, countdown the love songs and include some sound clips from listeners who’ve you’ve contacted from their emails. Multiple sponsorship opportunities.

 

KISS AND TELL

Listeners call and tell about their first kiss. Each caller receives a bag of Hershey’s Kisses and qualifies for a drawing for a nice piece of jewelry or other prize.

 

VALENTINE’S PAY FOR PLAY

Play listeners’ requests the weekend before Valentine’s Day in exchange for a donation to given to charity of your choice. Sell the promotion to a merchant that will display “take-one” forms with all the information; supermarket check-out lines are great. Get post-promotional value with big “thank you” promos that tout how much money was raised.

 

CURBSIDE CUPID

Team with a florist, candy store, jeweler, restaurant etc. and broadcast from their parking lot. Listeners can drive through and purchase a Valentine’s gift from their car.  Or sell to multiple merchants and enable listeners to drive up to one or more vendors in the same location. Or broadcast from a different location each day, offering the same drive-thru purchase option.

 

SPECIAL DELIVERY FLOWERS

On Valentine’s Day, station talent visits workplaces to give pink carnations to female employees. Optional tie-ins: 1) anyone found workplace listening to station wins gift certificates to romantic restaurant, 2) register in advance for a visit and randomly chosen workplace receives chocolates for a year from a sponsor.

 

MOST ROMANTIC SPOT IN TOWN (STATE)

Listeners call in when they hear the romantic contest sounder to win qualifying prize from sponsors (candy hearts, flowers, small jewelry item, balloon bouquet, singing telegram, etc.) and are registered to win grand prize of a romantic dinner and accommodations at romantic bed and breakfast. Other potential sponsor tie-ins: limo company, liquor store, photography studio, clothing or lingerie store, restaurant, etc.

 

ANTIQUE VALENTINE’S SHOW

Team with mall or other business that has large display area to display old valentines.

 

MUSICAL FLOWERS

Team with a florist and record label or store to give away bouquets of flowers and CDs that have flower-related titles (“Buy Me a Rose”) or artists (SHeDAISY).

 

CHAPEL OF LOVE

Set up a Las Vegas style “Chapel of Love” at a local mall Valentine’s weekend. Have couples call in and tell wedding day disasters, romantic stories, etc. and sign up to renew their vows at the “Chapel of Love.” Have an Elvis impersonator sing and give away a trip for two to Las Vegas! For bonus points, throw a reception for those who renewed their vows, and for everyone in the mall, serve wedding cake and punch.

 

BEST KISSERS

On-air and web-based contest where listeners vote for their favorite kisses in scenes from movies. Take nominations on the air, listeners vote on your website. Sell it to a movie or video store with the winner winning tickets/movies. Other sales tie-ins: TV dealer, cable (for the Romance Channel, AMC), electronics dealer (DVD player).

 

VICTORIA’S SECRET

Victoria has a secret. Several, in fact. Each hour, talent gives away clues as to what that secret is. Listeners guess hourly until secret is guessed; a new secret game is begun next hour. No secret who you might try and sell this to…

 

VALENTINE GET-AWAY GIVE-AWAY

Listeners register at participating sponsors to have their valentine’s name read on the air and call in to be eligible for romantic weekend get away or romantic meal for two.

 

VALENTINE “SWEET TALK” LINE

Set up voice mail to record listeners’ Valentines greetings. Beginning the week before Valentine’s play one back each hour in front of a love song. Sell to sponsors who also offer a prize for each listener whose valentine is aired. Give advance notice to listeners whose messages you’ll air so they can hear/record them. Good sales pitch to businesses that only place small ads in newspapers to demonstrate power of your station.

 

CALL YOUR VALENTINE

Sell promotion to long distance/cell phone company where listeners make free calls to loved ones.

 

BE OUR VALENTINE

Listeners send station Valentine card or enter at participating sponsors to win large prizes via random drawing. Sell to several sponsors including jeweler, florist, up-scale restaurant, etc.

 

WORLD’S LARGEST VALENTINE

Give away billboard where one listener gets to post Valentine’s message to his/her Valentine. Good possibility for media coverage, clever addition to billboard company’s sales presentation. Alternately, get names/message put on large marquis of hotel where listeners can spend romantic weekend, mall where they get gift certificates, etc.

 

WHY SHOULD I WIN? LET ME COUNT THE WAYS…

Listeners submit their best Valentine’s poem, love story, reason why they should have a free dinner, etc. to the web site. Winners receive dinner for two at romantic restaurant. Restaurant buys banner or receives as value added. Also works with other merchants.

 

VALENTINE’S SLACKER PACK

Listeners who are too busy (or lazy) to do their own Valentine’s Day shopping can register for free gift certificate for flowers and candy provided by a sponsor. They also qualify for grand prize of a deluxe Romantic Weekend for two including hotel, flowers, candy, champagne, gift certificates from Victoria’s Secret, etc.

 

WORST VALENTINE’S EXPERIENCE

Morning show bit with listeners calling in their worst Valentine’s present or experience. Listeners vote for most pathetic stories with flowers, dinner for two, etc. as prizes.

 

GOT A DATE (LINE)?

Promote your Date Line by adding a “register to win a romantic prize” box; all singles who use the line eligible to win via a drawing.

 

HATE TO DATE

For curmudgeons/dateless, offer video rental, pizza for one, free subscription to a dating service.

 

TOP 10 WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU

Fun morning show bit where listeners share the best ways to say, “I Love You.” Top 10 listeners win bouquet. Post best answers on your website.

 

MEN’S SHOPPING NIGHT

Team with a fancy lingerie shop to host a men’s shopping night out remote. Have store personnel on hand to help with guy’s questions, offer discounts, even model the fashions! Female talent on staff could also give good shopping advice.
HOW TO BE ROMANTIC IN THREE EASY LESSONS

Invite advice columnist, romance expert, psychologist, etc. on the morning show with romance tips for both sexes. Or have listeners share their secrets, recipes, favorite local romantic spots, etc.

 

 

 

PRESIDENTS’ DAY (Feb 12)

Celebrates Lincoln’s birthday (Feb 12) and Washington’s birthday (Feb 22).

 

President’s Day – New for 2017

 

LET’S CHANGE PRESIDENTS

Two ways to go: On air call out portions of serial numbers of one dollar bill; those with multiple numbers can exchange it for a larger denomination. Example: If caller has four, they win $100, three $50, or two $25.  Alternately make this a sales promotion where the retailer gives back a Washington for every Hamilton spent (10% discount), a Lincoln for every Jackson (25% discount), etc. (President’s Day 2017)

 

HAIL TO THE CHEF

Sell this online promotion to a grocer, restaurant, etc. Each day some basic ingredients are listed online for one President’s favorite meal. Listeners can text President and meal to merchant t to win gift certificate. (President’s Day 2017)

 

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION

Interactive on President’s day: can proclaim which song will start a post-stop set music sweep. Easy text contest as in ‘Text 1 for Song A and 2 for Song B.” Do some staging as you read the proclamation. (President’s Day 2017)

 

 

 

President’s Day – Ideas from years past

 

GRIDLOCK BUSTER

Leave the traffic gridlock to others – give away drop-off and pick-up service for a day using a limo trade or sales pitch. Destinations: to and from work, school pick-ups, etc. (President’s Day 2016)

 

WEST WING WINGS

Sell lunchtime/happy hour remote to wing joint/bar where one George Washington wings buys 5 wings, a Lincoln gets 30. Listeners can register for a Ben Franklin. (President’s Day 2016)

 

TEXT THE PRESIDENT

Presidential Trivia game where listeners text answer A, B, C or D to station short code to qualify for a Ben Franklin. (President’s Day 2016)

 

BALANCE THE BUDGET

Give away $100 Visa gift cards to help off-set expenses and balance listeners’ budgets. Alternatively give away lifestyle staples like gas cards, grocery store certificates, etc. (President’s Day 2016)

 

PLAYLIST COMMANDER AND CHIEF

Listeners text songs they’d like to hear at noon; randomly selected names will hear their songs and win a free lunch for themselves and a member of their ‘staff.’ (President’s Day 2016)

 

PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL RATING DISCOUNT

Idea for dollars off or percent discount; shoppers receive random presidential currency-matching picture at checkout – Lincoln represents 5% off, Hamilton 10, Jackson 20. (President’s Day 2015)

 

EXERCISE A PRESEDENTIAL VETO

Sales promotion that works for stores where shoppers are likely to buy multiple items (grocery, party store, etc.). As “president” of your checkbook, you can ‘veto’ paying for the lowest priced item on your shopping list. Obviously the store will want to set some restrictions. (President’s Day 2015)

 

EAT LIKE A PRESIDENT

Sell this idea to bar and grill. Select Presidents’ favorite foods are discounted. Examples: Clinton: Cheeseburgers and BBQ; George W. Bush: Huevos Rancheros; Woodrow Ham, Ice Cream, Barack Obama: Chili, FDR: Hot Dogs; JFK: Fish/Seafood Chowder; Richard Nixon: Meatloaf; Teddy Roosevelt: Chicken Fried Chicken. You get the idea. (President’s Day 2015)

 

DEFICIT REDUCTION

Topical name for a ‘percent off’ sale to “Help America reduce spending, one household at a time.” (President’s Day 2015)

 

PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAITS – YOUR OWN GALLERY

Why stop at just and Washington, Lincoln when you can have all the biggies – well at least the big 7 on the $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and a $100 bills. Listeners win a complete set ($188) or any combination. Sell to a quick cash, bank, etc. (President’s Day 2014)

 

SHOP WITH A PRESIDENT

Presidents Day sales idea: listeners randomly select one sealed envelope on entering the store. At the cash register, they open the envelope to reveal the president inside: Lincoln for 5% off, Hamilton for 10% and Jackson for 20%. Or the merchant could include those actual bills inside the envelopes though the discount/interest will be greater with a percent off. And everyone gets to have a piece of the cheery pies in store to commemorate our first President. (President’s Day 2014)

 

PRE-ELECTION SALE

Client idea: start Presidents Day Sale a week early.  Have fun with ‘vote early’ and ‘show the politicians how to do things ahead of time’ liners. (President’s Day 2014)

 

BY-PARTISAN SPENDING BUT               

Client idea: customers can vote for ½ off of one item or BYGO.  Either proposal is guaranteed to ‘pass’ with the business owner. (President’s Day 2014)

 

PRESIDENTIAL DE-BAIT

Sure the election’s long over, but fishing knows no time frame. Sell a promotion to an outdoors/fishing business where listeners register to win free fishing equipment and $100 to buy bait. (President’s Day 2013)

 

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

President’s Day sales angle where the business “pardons” (pays for) the sales tax on all purchases. (President’s Day 2013)

 

I CAN NOT TELL A LIE…BUT THE MORNING SHOW CAN

Quick, sponsorable game where three facts are given, one is not true. Listeners identify the lie for a prize from the sponsor. The more crazy the true facts are, the better. (President’s Day 2013)

 

THE PRESIDENT’S DAY RECALL

Themed sale where the play on words is ‘recalling’ when prices were a lot lower as in “Who can recall when you could buy a top of the line dress shirt for just 15.99? We can and now you can too with the Big Recall sale…” This can be on air or online and the deals can be store-wide or a different deal each day for a week. (President’s Day 2012)

 

ELECTION YEAR SPECIAL SALE

Each day for a week beginning the day before President’s Day, listeners vote for which items they want to be put on sale tomorrow at participating sponsors. Do this entirely on line and sell to multiple businesses using on air to promote. (President’s Day 2012)

 

PRESIDENTIAL PARDON

Sell this as a President’s Day sale idea: the business “pardons” (pays for) the sales tax for the length of the sale. It’s more powerful than “7% off.” (President’s Day 2011)

 

“BUY” PARTISAN SALE

Another President’s sale idea: put two competing brands on sale (Samsung and Whirlpool, Coke and Pepsi). (President’s Day 2011)

 

IN HONOR OF OUR 44 PRESIDENTS…

Build a President’s Day sale around this theme. Offer discounts of $44, 44%, sell an item for 44-cents, etc. (2011)

 

VICE-PRESIDENT’S DAY SALE

Business runs its regular President’s Day sale but also offers an additional discount on any second item that’s bought. Could also work for a repeat visit (come back any time this week and get a discount on admission, purchase, etc.). (President’s Day 2010)

 

TOUR THE WHITE HOUSE

Sell this to a furniture or home furnishing store or an appliance dealer where everything colored white is discounted. (President’s Day 2010)

 

IS YOURS A RED OR BLUE STATE?

Sell an all day poll to a family restaurant store where listeners vote for cherry or blueberry pie. Restaurant gives away small, complimentary servings of pie all day (week). Also would work for a car dealer where all vehicles of the winning color are discounted. Other potential sponsors: paint stores, clothing stores, Jamba Juice or similar, etc. (President’s Day 2010)

 

PRESIDENT’S DAY STATION STIMULUS PLAN

No tax impact, no clunkers to trade in. Several ways to go: use it as a sales promotion where we match 10% of the order with spots. Or sell multiple sponsors an email campaign where listeners receive email coupon for additional 10% off anything they buy for the week. (President’s Day 2010)

 

PRESI-DENT AND SCRATCH SALE

Create annual dent and scratch sales event for furniture or appliance store. Alternatively could be a theme for an auto body shop or used car dealer.  Onsite events include scratch-off cards for discounts, presidential discounts (value of presidential currency), etc.

 

MEET THE PRESIDENT

Your company President, Regional President, RVP, etc. hosts breakfast for clients and prospects to share benefits of radio, feature copy writing specialist, etc.; could be done anytime during or before Presidents’ week.

 

PRESIDENT’S DAY SALES CENTRAL

As a stand-alone or value-added promotion, create an online listing of all station clients that are having a President’s sale.  On air promos direct listeners to the home page, keyword ‘sale’ where the list with links are found. Or charge a fee to be listed. Or create a shared 30 where three clients each have a 7 second President’s sales-related message with a 4-second ‘umbrella ‘open and 5 second close directing listeners to view more specials online (keyword ‘sale’ from the home page).

 

HOW MANY GEORGE’S DOES IT TAKE TO…

“Price is Right” game using president’s name instead of dollar amounts. The goofier the items the better. Play for George Strait Greatest Hits collection.

 

PRESIDENTIAL TV

Register listeners to win copies of the first year of the West Wing TV series; grand prize winner also receives plasma TV screen.

 

KEEP AN EYE ON THE PRESIDENT

Tie in with a movie retailer to give away free copies/rentals of “presidential-themed” movies: “All The President’s Men,” “American President,” “Dave,” “Air Force One,” etc.

 

HOME OF THE BRAVE

Each time patriotic sounder airs, listeners call to qualify for a family trip to Washington, D.C. Sell to Amtrak, travel agent, luggage store, any business that has “president” or “presidential” in its name.

 

ALL THE PRESIDENT’S FACES

All day, at the sound of “Hail to the Chief,” listeners call in if they have the station’s frequency as part of a bill’s serial number. Those who do (and can prove it) win qualifying prize and are entered in grand prize drawing for cash, trip to D.C., etc.

 

PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT GALLERY

Give listeners their own Presidential Portraits (paper currency) whenever they hear “Hail to the Chief” played. Or post daily Presidential trivia questions on your web site. All correct answers are eligible for pictures of Presidents (on currency), trip to D.C.., copies of Encarta with computer as grand prize, etc. Multiple sponsor tie-ins.

 

PRESIDENTIAL TRIVIA

Play the week leading up to it. Callers who answer correctly qualify to win solid cherry bedroom set (or furniture of their choice) from local furniture store as well as the obligatory cherry pie. Or give away “presidential” prizes, like the use of a Lincoln Town Car for a month (dealership, car rental agency tie-in), a trip to Busch (Bush) Gardens, dinner/stay for two at a Roosevelt hotel, diner, etc. (many towns have something named after Roosevelt), El Presidente cigars, etc.

 

 

SUPER BOWL LI (51)(Houston, Feb 5, 2017) 

(See below) www.NFL.com

 

 

Month-Specific Events…

 

AMD/LOW VISION MONTH

To raise awareness of low vision disease warning signs and what low vision aids are available. www.PreventBlindness.org Sell a promotion to an eye care center offering free eye testing, discounts on glasses, etc. Or arrange for collection of old eyeglasses that can be distributed to the needy (team with local Lion’s Club). Talk to an optometrist on the air about warning signs, aids.

 

AMERICAN HEART MONTH

To spread information on heart disease and stroke. Sell month-long “heart-healthy tips” to doctors’ group, pharmacy, hospital, health food store, restaurant featuring low-fat food, etc. Post heart attack warning signs on sponsored webpage. Sell heart doctor/ hospital a podcast on heart-healthy tips. Sign people up to learn CPR with someone on the air staff. Join local volunteers in distributing leaflets, etc (check with your local heart association). www.AmericanHeart.org Also, each year, cardiovascular diseases claim the lives of nearly 500,000 women. Participate in the National Wear Red Day on Friday, Feb 6, to recognize all of the women who have been affected. www.GoRedForWomen.org

 

BAKE FOR FAMILY FUN MONTH

Home Baking Association encourages fun of traditional baking, nutritional and economic advantages. www.HomeBaking.org Sell cookware store promotion with demonstration by local baker. Or sell bakery/restaurant a podcast featuring their baker. Sell grocer a schedule highlighting baking necessities. Hold “best homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe” contest awarding bake ware to winners. Sell promotion to appliance dealer or cooking supply store on registering listeners to win new stove/equipment. Sell a cooking store/school on a parent-child day where parents and kids bake something together.

 

FEBRUARY IS FABULOUS FLORIDA STRAWBERRY MONTH

Celebrates Florida’s strawberry exports. www.FLAStrawberry.com Sell fruit merchant schedule featuring strawberry recipe ideas; host remote with desert chef there to give demonstrations. Sell joint promotion to fruit merchant and chocolatier where listeners register at either location to win a month’s worth of chocolate-covered strawberries and grand prize of trip to Florida. Sell restaurant on offering discounted special strawberry deserts all month. Sell bakery/grocer on giving away free samples of strawberry shortcake to commuters on the way home (or strawberry jam-filled donuts in the morning). Talk to doctor about the health benefits of strawberries.

 

INTERNATIONAL BOOST SELF-ESTEEM MONTH

Month to focus on the importance of nurturing and cultivating self-esteem to beat the winter blahs, to boost morale and to inspire yourself and others to seize new challenges. Morning show interviews life coach on self-esteem tips, stunt person hands out smiley-face stickers at a busy intersection.

 

LIBRARY LOVERS’ MONTH

Celebration of school, public and private libraries of all types; recognizes value of libraries and works to ensure nation’s libraries will continue to serve. Air PSAs supporting local libraries. Consider fundraiser/book fair with a station remote. Host “Words of Love” night where actors (or staff) read love sonnets, poems, stories. Poll librarian/listeners for favorite love stories, poems of all time and have them read on air. www.LibrarySupport.net/LibraryLovers

 

MARFAN SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

Volunteers across the country distribute educational information about Marfan syndrome and related connective tissue disorders that can results in life-threatening cardiovascular problems as well as orthopedic and ophthalmologic handicaps. It affects about 200,000 Americans. www.Marfan.org Talk to local cardiologist about new treatments.

NATIONAL AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Cut series of spots on famous African Americans and their contributions; sell to institutional advertiser. Post on sponsored page of your site. www.ASALH.org

 

NATIONAL BIRD-FEEDING MONTH

A national event created to advance and publicize the wild bird feeding and watching hobby. www.birdfeeding.org  Sell a hardware store, hobby store, home improvement store (even a mall) on an afternoon of building bird houses with kids and parents.

 

NATIONAL CHERRY MONTH

To publicize the pleasures of the fruit. Recipes and more available at www.ChooseCherries.com Sell restaurant or bakery on creating special cherry deserts all month. Sell package to car dealer who sells cars that are in “cherry” condition and gives away free cherry pie with every test drive. Sell chocolatier a promotion where a box of chocolate covered cherries is given away with every prize for a week. Use cherry-themed games at remotes all month, sponsored by fruit merchant who gives away fruit gift certificates for guessing how many cherries are in a jar, hold winning cherry pit spitting contest, etc. Sell a trip to a casino with free pulls at slot machines (a cherry usually means an even money pay-off….er, so I’ve been told!).

 

NATIONAL CONDOM MONTH

To educate consumers, patients, students and professionals on the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS and teenage pregnancies. www.PPSInc.org

 

NATIONAL MEND A BROKEN HEART MONTH

Sponsored by the nonprofit My Stuff Bags Foundation to encourage individuals and groups to support America’s children who have been abused, neglected and abandoned by the very people who should love them most. These children must be rescued from their homes, often entering crisis shelters and foster care with no personal belongings. Team with local foster organizations to collect donations of money or new belongings to support local foster kids. www.MyStuffBags.org

 

NATIONAL PARENT LEADERSHIP MONTH

Acknowledges strengths of parents as leaders and generates awareness of important roles parents play in shaping lives of their families and communities. www.ParentsAnonymous.org Host a “Parent of the Day/Week/Month” contest with nominations read on air, posted on site. Expert offers tips on good parenting; listeners share best tips, most meaningful moments, things they remember most about their parents that helped them in life.

 

NATIONAL PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Nationwide effort co-sponsored by veterinary dental groups and Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc, to educate consumers on importance of good dental care for pets. www.PetDental.com Sell pet dental care messages to local vets. Vet offers tips on improving dogs’ breath. Morning show gives away doggie toothbrushes and toothpaste. Do on-air taste-test of doggie meat-flavored toothpastes. Poll: Are cats or dogs smarter?

 

NATIONAL TIME MANAGEMENT MONTH

Month when plans made in January start to go awry; event dedicated to renewing those plans, re-evaluating/reprioritizing harried, out-of-balance lives – making specific commitments to balance them. www.SpringboardTraining.com Time management expert on-air to discusses how to keep up on the New Year’s resolutions. Office supply store gives away PDAs, day planners, or cell company gives away Blackberries/Smart Phones. Sell jeweler on a watch give-away promotion. Also good as database promotion where secret times are emailed and the on-air part of the contest is silent.

 

PLANT THE SEEDS OF GREATNESS MONTH

Promotes global thinking and planning for future. Institutional or vocational-technical advertiser sponsors series of spots on “great leaders/women/achievements” etc. in history. Talent/motivational speaker for kids visit elementary schools, library, bookstore, etc. talking about “being whatever you want to be.” Guest on morning show encourages listeners to spend the next month using their skills/potential to start improving careers, family lives, business, community, etc. Poll listeners for something they’d like to see happen in the future, goal they want to achieve, career they or their kids aspire to.

 

RETURN SHOPPING CARTS TO THE SUPERMARKET MONTH

Station van cruises town to pick up and return abandoned carts (listeners tell us where they are).  Consider working with handicapped agency for helpers. Or sell a remote to a supermarket chain where talent serve as Cart Boys/Girls for an hour and collect tips/pledges for charity, food bank, etc.  Sell supermarket on shopping cart race, obstacle course, or fill a cart of groceries and get them free promotions.

SPAY/NEUTER AWARENESS MONTH/BEAT THE HEAT MONTH

A month for reminding pet owners that by spaying or neutering your pet, you become part of the solution for addressing street animal overpopulation and animal cruelty. www.worldspayday.org. Sell a pet store on a month-long campaign where they will donate a portion of all sales to local animal shelter.

 

SPUNKY OLD BROADS MONTH

www.SpunkyOldBroad.com Celebration for all women over 50 who are interested in living a regret-free life. Who are the Spunky Old Broads (SOBs) in your life? What makes them spunky? Interview an expert on aging, remaining vital, etc.

 

WISE HEALTH CARE CONSUMER MONTH

Stresses self-care. Info from American Institute for Preventive Medicine www.AIPM.net/Wise Good opportunity to sell a series of information spots on taking better care of yourself. Targets: health food stores, HMOs, doctors’ groups, hospital, etc. Use take-one boxes and downloadable pages from your website to distribute sponsored information.

 

WORLDWIDE RENAISSANCE OF THE HEART MONTH

Month dedicated to compassionately thinking with your heart as well as your intellect and to take a heartfelt look at the way you think. Ask listeners for their best “thinking with your heart” stories. www.RenaissanceOfTheHeart.com

 

YOUTH LEADERSHIP MONTH

Celebrates young people who take on leadership roles. www.SpringboardTraining.com Take submissions from listeners and hold month-long, on-air salutes of your town’s youth leaders. Sell to a bank that provides a cash scholarship/savings bond award to winners. Co-sponsor a youth leadership training seminar with an institutional business.

 

 

NON DATE-SPECIFIC EVENTS 

 

TAX SEASON

 

TAX OR TACKY?

Nth caller guesses which of five alleged tax deductions are legitimate and which are made up to qualify to win tax prep service that sponsors contest.

 

I.R.S. WEEKEND

Stands for “I’d Rather Ski.” Sell weekend promotion to ski area where free lift tickets are given away to the Nth caller that hears pounding on door and “this is the IRS.”

 

EARLY SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT

Sell to vendor of tax prep software. Randomly select two digits. Listeners who have those digits anywhere in their social security number call to win copy of latest tax prep program.

GO FIGURE

Sell to a tax prep service and a merchant that sells hand-held calculators. Callers answer tax trivia questions and win calculators as qualifying prizes. Grand prize is full tax prep service. Alternate sponsor and methodology: tax prep software provider with grand being the latest tax prep software and a new computer.

 

FAX YOUR TAX

Listeners fax in tax returns (blocking out their Social Security number) and station matches the return or pays the amount due. Set a limit (up to $500 or the amount of your frequency, for example). Sell the promotion to tax prep services, tax software distributors, etc.

 

 

 

NASCAR

 

PICK THE WINNERS

Listeners email who they think will win this week’s race. If multiple correct entries, draw for the winner. Target fast food/mini marts (businesses that sell things for “people in a hurry/on the good/fast movers, etc), or auto-related business like a quick-lube.

 

THE (YOUR TOWN/STATION) PIT CREW

Sell multiple automotive services a schedule pitching their services – tire store, quick oil change shop, auto service center, car wash, etc.  Alternate: businesses share umbrella 60 called “Your town Pit Crew.” Listeners register at these locations for NASCAR merchandise, tickets to future race, etc.  Depending on your target, create a 1 minute Monday and Friday NASCAR Update and split/share the report sponsorship.

 

GET THE NASCAR EXPERIENCE

Sell to car dealer. Listeners register at the dealership for a trip to Daytona Speedway (doesn’t have to be the race) to tour the track and receive admission to the “NASCAR Experience” exhibit there.

 

NASCAR CAR IN YOUR TOWN

With a sponsor, bring one of the NASCAR cars that tour to town. As part of the package include a remote, taking digital pictures of listeners posing with the car, registering for race tickets, trip to one of the NASCAR cafés (pick inexpensive air fare destination like Las Vegas or NYC), etc. Invite a TV station sports anchor to make the drawing.

 

NASCAR SCHEDULE

If you carry NASCAR, print a station schedule of this year’s races including times they will air. Also include all other NASCAR program times. Sell sponsors on the printed piece and on your website. Can also make the piece a PDF to save printing costs.

 

THE (YOUR TOWN) 500

Hold race night at a club or arcade that has racecar simulators. Award prizes for the best players.

PLAY THE SLOTS

Sell month-long competition to slot car business. Post standings, announce leaders on-air, web.

 

NASCAR REMOTE RACE

For fun/increased attendance at remotes, buy/trade for several remote controlled race cars. Set up a track/obstacle course and have listeners take turns racing cars throughout the remote. Post the fastest times, and award a nice prize and a station racing team T-shirt at the end of the day.

 

NASCAR RACE SERIES

Select one big race a month for a sports bar promotion and award NASCAR prizes to attendees; qualify them to win a NASCAR lover’s weekend: tickets to a race, merchandise, etc.

 

 

 

SPRINGTRAINING

 

BE AN ANGEL IN THE OUTFIELD (AND EVERY OTHER POSITION, TOO)

Create a equipment fund-raising effort for area kids’ baseball teams. Sell to a sporting goods or community-minded sponsor.

 

GET IN SHAPE FOR SPRING TRAINING

Team with a fitness center to offer health club packages from beginning of spring training to start of baseball season.

PLAY BALL

Spring training gets underway this month. Team with sponsors to give away a trip to spring training city, fantasy baseball camp, tickets to home games of local teams, team merchandise, etc.

SPRING TRAINING IN YOUR TOWN

Hold a night out at a local sports/entertainment complex that has batting cages. All who attend can register for tickets to see a big game this season, gift certificates for baseball equipment.

PLAY PIN BALL!

No local baseball teams to root for? Try a day of spring training for pinball at local arcade. Or use on opening day of baseball season.

SPRING TRAINING-WHEELS

Sell bike retailer on discounting bikes for spring and giving free training wheels for first time riders. Also organize/sponsor dirt bike/off road ride.

 

SPRING TRAINING SPRINGS

Sell a mattress retailer on offering trade in on old ‘set of springs’ (or any old mattress).

 

 

 

OTHER WINTER THEMES

 

HOT AND COLD WEEKEND

Listeners call in to win movies set in warm and cold weather locations. Everyone is qualified for Monday’s drawing for some “cool” new clothes (or “cold” cash, etc.) and dinner at a “hot” restaurant (tickets to a “hot” movie, etc.).

 

GET HEAT FOR SAVING ENERGY

Sell schedule of daily “conserve energy” tips to gas/electric company. Listeners call when they hear the tip to qualify to win free gas or electric for the rest of the winter, year, etc.

I’M SICK OF WINTER/I LOVE WINTER CONTEST

All month, listeners qualify to win choice of a trip for two to a warm OR cold location. Sell the trip giveaway to merchants who buy a remote this month (listeners come to register); or sell an in-store station registration box. Or simply qualify everyone who wins any prize on the station.

 

COLD DAYS/HOT NIGHTS

Give away “hot” prizes for cold winter nights: tickets to “hot” movies/shows, “hot” restaurants, places that serve hot food, “hot” movie rental certificates, etc. Good website contest where sponsors receive banners, links plus on-air promos; station gathers data base info.

 

BLANKET YOUR TOWN WITH LOVE

Host blanket drive for homeless. Give blankets to Salvation Army, local church group, etc. for distribution. Contributors (blankets or cash) receive CDs, commemorative station T-Shirts, etc.

 

A LITTLE CHICKEN SOUP COULDN’T HURT

Sell restaurant, grocery store or food vendor dealing in soup. Listeners register to win free soup and ultimate cure for winter chills: a trip to someplace warm (Disney, Arizona, etc.).

 

FREE CAR WASH

Listeners get salt and gunk removed from their cars at your free car wash, co-sponsored by a merchant who’ll allow you to give washes on their lot. Or sell a promotion to a car dealer where everyone who takes a test drive gets their old car washed free.

 

HERE TODAY, GONE TO MAUI

Listeners register (web, mail, in-store) then listen for names to win trip for two to Maui. Tie in sponsors so all entrants also receive something of value: free dinner at local Polynesian restaurant, free flip-flop slippers, pineapples, etc.

 

MAN, IT’S REALLY CHILI!

Sell remote to restaurant with special prices on chili. Hold chili cooking/recipe contest with prizes for winners (beer sponsor). Do registration at Mexican restaurant that provides trip to Mexico.

WXXX SNOW MAN/WOMAN DAY AT A PARK

Arrange a place where families can build snowmen/women. Have various prizes for different age levels. Tie-ins: soup/hot chocolate/coffee suppliers, sponsors that sell family fun, etc.

 

 

CHARITY IDEAS

 

CLUSTER BASKETBALL TEAM

Arrange a “Radio All-Stars” team to play various high school faculty teams for charity. Cluster team idea allows all stations to get exposure simultaneously.

 

COFFEE FOR KIDS

Raise money for St. Jude’s (or other charity) by partnering with a restaurant, food truck, etc. that agrees to donate all profits from coffee sales for a day to your St. Jude’s fund.

 

 

LEFT-OVERS

 

TEDDY BEARS ON DISPLAY

Team with a mall to display listeners’ Teddy Bears. Invite antique toy dealers to display theirs as well. Award prizes for oldest, “most loved” (i.e. worn out), etc.

 

CLASSIC VALENTINES

Similar to above but display classic and antique Valentine’s cards. Have a section where kids can make and post their creations.

 

REFRIGERATOR PHOTO ART SHOW
Sell this to mall (or store with large windows) that caters to moms. Parents send in pictures of kids’ refrigerator art. Get local art critic to judge, award ribbons. All entrants receive $25 mall gift certificate. Or sell to appliance dealer that draws from all submissions for a new refrigerator.

 

PHOTO CONTEST

Invite listeners to submit their best local photos. Sell to camera/big box store that awards gift certificates and posts winning photos.

 

SIX PACK SWEEPSTAKES

Sell a six-week contest to a beverage company or business selling 6-packs of soft drinks, beer, etc. Each Thursday for six weeks, give away a trip for four to an exotic/warm/very special location.

 

 

THINGS TO WORK ON REQUIRING SOME ADVANCE PLANNING

 

SPONSOR A LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM

Expenses are usually limited to uniforms, some equipment. Try for a league with lots of games and standings published in the newspaper. Station van and occasionally a personality are on-hand at as many games as possible. Also decent potential for sales tie-ins with product sampling.

 

HIT FOR THE CYCLE CONTEST

Sell this promotion to a motorcycle or bicycle dealer. Listeners register throughout the baseball season. If any player on your home team hits for the cycle in a game, a name is drawn from all registrants to win a bike. (from SCA Promotions)

 

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL (FAN FAIR) TRIP

Core-oriented prize with good sales tie-ins. Get package trip info from Darlene Williams at “What-A-Trip, Inc.” 615-269-0039. Mention you’re an Albright & O’Malley client.