May

Mother’s Day, Cinco De Mayo, Memorial Day, Proms and Graduations – even ideas for your night at the ballpark!

 

May is…

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month • Better Hearing and Speech Month • Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month • Gardening For Wildlife Month • Get Caught Reading Month • Gifts from the Garden Month• Global Civility Awareness Month • Haitian Heritage Month • Heal The Children Month • Healthy Vision Month • Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month • International Victorious Woman Month • Jewish American Heritage Month • Latino Books Month • Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month • Motorcycle Safety Month • National Allergy/Asthma Awareness Month • National Arthritis Month • National Barbecue Month • National Barbecue Month • National Bike Month • National Good Car-Keeping Month • National Hamburger Month • National Hepatitis Awareness Month • National Meditation Month • National Mental Health Month • National Military Appreciation Month • National Osteoporosis Month • National Photo Month • National Physical Fitness and Sports Month • National Preservation Month • National Salad Month • National Salsa Month • National Stroke Awareness Month • National Sweet Vidalia Onion Month • National Vinegar Month • Older Americans Month • REACT Month • Strike Out Strokes Month • Ultraviolet Awareness Month • Women’s Health Care Month • Young Achievers/Leaders of Tomorrow Month

 

 

 

Month-Specific Events…

 

ASIAN/PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Sell Pacific-Rim restaurant promotion with spot schedule involving “tasting” party of various dishes, special buffet, or that acknowledges the contributions of Pacific-Rim peoples. Or sell an Asian/Pacific Rim grocer a promotion involving recipes, discounts on the necessary groceries to make them, and a month-long in-store registration to win a trip for two to Asia or the Pacific Rim.

 

BETTER HEARING AND SPEECH MONTH

Nationwide public information campaign to elevate awareness of the help that’s available to the 41 million Americans with hearing and speech problems. www.asha.org Sell a doctor or hearing aid center a schedule with spots describing the latest in hearing aid technology, size, etc. Offer free hearing tests at an area mall. Guest on the morning show gives parents tips on early detection of hearing/speech problems in their children.

 

FIBROMYALGIA EDUCATION AND AWARENESS MONTH

To promote education and awareness of the dangers of fibromyalgia, or chronic muscle pain syndrome, which affects more than 10 million American women. www.ppsinc.org Talk to local physician about fibromyalgia. Post symptoms and treatments on station website. Run sponsored PSAs about the condition.

 

GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE MONTH

During May, the National Wildlife Foundation sponsors this month to inspire and assist anyone who is passionate about wildlife to make a difference right in their own backyard. www.nwf.org

 

GET CAUGHT READING MONTH

Celebrities appear in ads that celebrate the joys of reading. (Also see Children’s Book Week below). www.GetCaughtReading.org Contact the organization to see if you can have the background art and insert your talent into the ads. Or, cut your own audio versions of the ad and run on your air. Have talent read to kids at a library or do a dramatic reading at a coffee shop, bookstore, etc. Sell a bookstore on a month-long promotion where all classics (for example) are on sale. Or sell them on a month-long “frequent reader” promotion or register to win free books for a year. Morning show challenges listeners to read a book this month and deliver a two-sentence book report. Or poll listeners for what they read, how they liked it, etc. Sell an upscale coffee shop on providing newspapers from around the country/world each morning for customer to read while eating. Sell an “increase subscriptions” promotion to local newspaper. Co-sponsor a series of readings at a bookstore, coffee shop, etc. Morning show member (or listener) starts reading a lengthily novel (War and Peace) at the beginning of the show; without stopping, see how far they get by 9am. You can also sell this to a bookstore as a remote with one talent reading and another doing the callbacks.

 

GIFTS FROM THE GARDEN MONTH

This is the month to celebrate the many ways gardens and gardening benefit people. www.GardenLady.com Sell a schedule to a local nursery, garden supply or home improvement store. Host a station garden contest, awarding prizes for biggest garden, smallest garden, cutest garden, etc.

 

GLOBAL CIVILITY AWARENESS MONTH

Champion civility with 31 days of considerate conduct by practicing behavior and communication to inspire, involve and impact campuses, corporations and communities worldwide. www.imageimpact.org

 

HAITIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Sell promotion to Haitian restaurant where diners all month are registered to win trip to Haiti. Possible additional tie-ins: clothing, luggage, swim wear retailers, travel agent, etc. www.HaitianHeritageMonth.net

 

HEAL THE CHILDREN MONTH

To encourage the survivors of childhood abuse and neglect to speak out. By revealing their painful experiences, they can inspire others to prevent children from suffering the same ordeals. A good cause to center your station’s “Charity of the Month” around. Offer lists of local counseling centers to those who may need them – in print/on your website. www.AbuseHealing.com

 

HEALTHY VISION MONTH

Informs public of importance of preventive eye care. www.GetEyeSmart.org Sell a schedule of informational spots/myth busters to Lasik surgeon, optometrists/ophthalmologists. Offer free eye screening clinic at a remote. Lead eyeglass collection drive in conjunction with book store/video retailer; use theme like, “we want everyone to see well for life” or “share the vision” or similar.

 

HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

For info: Huntington’s Disease Society of America www.hdsa.org

 

INTERNATIONAL VICTORIOUS WOMAN MONTH

This month celebrates the woman who has shaped life’s challenges into distinct victories. www.VictoriousWoman.com Have local women call in with their stories of turning hard times into successes. Record the interviews and (with permission) sell CD copies of the stories with proceeds going to local women’s shelter.

 

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Sell promotion to kosher restaurant/deli where diners all month are registered to win trip to Israel. Possible additional tie-ins: clothing, luggage, swim wear retailers, travel agent, etc.

 

MELANOMA/SKIN CANCER DETECTION AND PREVENTION MONTH

Guest on the morning show talks about skin protection. Sell a pharmacy or sunscreen product manufacturer a schedule that includes information on preventing skin cancer. Info at American Academy of Dermatology. www.aad.org

 

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY MONTH

Dedicated to learning safe riding practices and improving skills. Hold remote at cycle shop where expert rider gives instructions to newbie’s and advanced riders. Sell a promotion where all safety equipment is discounted for the month, where bikes are given a free safety check and where the grand prize is a new motorcycle. www.SpringboardTraining.com

 

NATIONAL ALLERGY/ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH

www.ppsinc.org Doctor/allergist speaks on the morning show about latest over-the-counter relief for those with allergies and tips for preventing/lessening suffering. Local weather person talks about this year’s allergy season. Sell a remote to a pharmacy that will have an allergist on hand to answer questions. Sell a schedule to a drug company that also has a web tie-in with information, locations to buy their product, coupons, etc.

 

NATIONAL ARTHRITIS MONTH

To increase awareness of the 100+ forms of arthritis. www.Arthritis.org

 

NATIONAL BARBECUE MONTH

To promote barbecuing early in the season. www.hpba.org Create joint promotion for a home improvement store and grocer, beef/pork council, etc. giving away grills and food appropriate for barbecue. Guest chef on the morning show has tips/quick recipes (post on your website), or sell a series of remotes with demonstrations and free samples by local chefs, grill sponsors. Or give away meals at barbecue restaurants, registering listeners to win trip places synonymous with barbecue: Memphis, North Carolina, etc. Morning show bit: listeners vote for best barbecue sauce; have taste tester or professional chief judge various sauces on the air. Conduct on-air/web poll where listeners vote for best barbecue in town. Create a sales promotion where listeners can pick up a booklet or download discount tickets to participating barbecue restaurants. Check out www.traegerindustries.com for recipes and ideas.

 

NATIONAL BIKE MONTH

Celebrate bicycling for fun, fitness, and transportation. www.BikeLeague.org or www.BikeMonth.com Host a bike ride through the country on a bike trail (contact local riding clubs and offer to promote the event). Hold bike rally for kids, which includes working with police to register bikes. Print (download) “bike safety” tips with your call letters prominently displayed. Team with a bike or sporting goods store for a promotion involving a family set of up to four bicycles. Or create a “trade-in month” promotion where listeners can receive money towards a new bike when they trade in their old ones, which can be refurbished and given to police department to give to under-privileged kids. (This will also work well at Christmas and having kids/parents listen to win bikes, helmets, accessories). Or sell a fitness center a promotion that ties in using their stationary bikes with a registration to win his and hers racing bikes.

 

NATIONAL GOOD CAR-KEEPING MONTH

To promote safety and value through proper maintenance. Sell a schedule to an auto repair or parts shop that offers a free safety check all month. Or team with an auto repair or parts store to distribute a guide to preventative maintenance; include discount coupons. Or give away free car washes as part of a promotion with a car wash, auto detailer, etc. Or register listeners to win a year’s worth of oil changes. Or sell a “what’s my car worth” drive-in promotion to a new or used car dealer.

 

NATIONAL HAMBURGER MONTH

Listeners vote for their favorite burgers during month-long poll conducted online. Invite newspaper’s restaurant reviewer/food critic to join morning show member in sampling burgers around town. Review their meal the next morning. Or sell bag of burgers campaign to the month’s sponsor, White Castle. www.WhiteCastle.com

 

NATIONAL HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH

A month to raise awareness of and increase research for viral hepatitis, while also promoting prevention through schools, health departments, churches, community organizations and other groups. www.HepatitisFoundation.org

 

NATIONAL MEDITATION MONTH

Educating the public about the physical, emotional and mental benefits of meditation. www.TheDeepCalm.com Sell series of informational spots to local wellness center.

 

NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Information at www.nmha.org

 

NATIONAL MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH

Honors, recognizes and appreciates all military personnel, past and present. www.nmam.org Interview local vets. Invite listeners to share info on local vets with you; post names and photos (if available) on your website.

 

NATIONAL OSTEOPOROSIS MONTH

Osteoporosis is not a natural part of aging but a preventable disease for most people. Sell a doctors’ group or health food store an informational schedule on this affliction. Doc appears on morning show to share info on recognizing symptoms and appropriate treatments. www.nof.org

 

NATIONAL PHOTO MONTH

Sell a schedule to camera/photo store. Interview photo expert for photo tips and tricks. Host a photo contest on your website. Possible categories include nature, people, places, local gems, etc. www.pmai.org

 

NATIONAL PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS MONTH

Listeners register to win home gym or their favorite sports equipment in a month-long promotion with a sporting goods store. Or hold a remote and offer discounted memberships all month at a local gym. Give away equipment and tickets to the same sport so you can play AND be a spectator (example: baseball ball and glove and tickets to a game; or day at a batting cage and tickets to a game, etc). Have a local high school Phys Ed instructor (or former Marine Drill Sergeant) put member of the morning show through some calisthenics and offers quick, at-home workout program for listeners. www.PresidentsChallenge.org

 

NATIONAL PRESERVATION MONTH

To draw attention to historic preservation including neighborhoods, districts, landmark buildings, open space and maritime heritage. www.PreservationNation.org Play “guess the landmark” where listeners have to know trivia about local historic sites.

 

NATIONAL SALAD MONTH

Celebrating healthy eating and good nutrition with salads and salad dressing. Sell a schedule to grocer, health food store, healthy restaurant, cooking supply store, etc. Interview a chef for healthy recipes. Post them on your website. www.SaladADay.org or

www.Dressings-Sauces.org

 

NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH

www.Stroke.org. Invite doctor on the morning show to talk about stroke prevention or post such info on your website.

 

NATIONAL SWEET VIDALIA ONION MONTH

Celebrating America’s favorite sweet onions, which come into season about this time of year. Vidalia onions only grow in a 20-county area of southeast Georgia. www.VidaliaOnion.org Solicit onion recipes for station website.

 

NATIONAL VINEGAR MONTH

Celebrate the season of cleaning and cooking with one of the home’s most versatile products. www.VersatileVinegar.org Partner with a grocery store to give away vinegar with every prize this month.

 

OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

By Presidential Proclamation. Sell a spot package to a financial planner, broker, bank, etc. on financial planning and strategies for this life stage. Or sell a fitness center on creating and promoting a special program for seniors. Or sell a cosmetics vendor a schedule that promotes their products for older users. Or sell a promotion to a group of businesses that agree to offer discounts all month to listeners over 50. Invite a specialist to the morning show who can give tips on how to feel young regardless of your age.

 

REACT MONTH

Highlighting the safety efforts of Radio Emergency Associated Communications Team volunteers worldwide. REACT communications specialists receive emergency radio calls and relay them to authorities. REACTers also teach correct emergency radio procedure to the public, including cell phone emergencies. www.REACTintl.org Interview local REACT member about what they do and have them give cell phone emergency call tips.

 

STRIKE OUT STROKES MONTH

Dedicated to the prevention of strokes. Factors resulting from heredity or natural processes can’t be changed but with proper medical treatment and healthful lifestyle adjustments, some risk factors can be eliminated. www.ppsinc.org

 

ULTRAVIOLET AWARENESS MONTH

Offer free vision testing/glaucoma screening during a remote you’ve sold to an eyeglass business. www.PreventBlindness.org Or, give out UV-blocking sunglasses during May remotes.

 

WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE MONTH

To increase awareness of the many health concerns unique to women. Sell a local women’s doctor on an information spot schedule. Dedicate a page on your website to women’s health issues including links, comments and recommendations from local doctors or health officials, articles and tips that can be downloaded, etc. and sponsored by a health food store, pharmacy, doctors’ group, etc. www.ppsinc.org

 

YOUNG ACHIEVERS MONTH/LEADERS OF TOMORROW MONTH

To recognize and encourage “leaders of tomorrow” among grades 5-11. Check for local activities; www.ilnleadnet.com Salute local young achievers on the air; sponsorable by banks, insurance companies, etc.

 

 

 

 

MOTHER’S DAY

First observed in 1907. Here are the top-5 retailers/products in sales for Mothers Day: 1) Florists, 2) Candy stores, 3) Jewelry stores, 4) Small appliances, 5) Hobbies/games.

According to MSN Money and www.Salary.com, a stay-at-home mom would be paid $138,095 per year if she were compensated for all the elements of her “job.” Moms who have jobs outside the house would earn another $85,939 for their mothering work, beyond what they bring home in existing salary.

 

The job descriptions that Salary.com used to determine a mom’s salary includes 10 jobs that moms do on an average day: housekeeper, day care center teacher, cook, computer operator, laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, van driver, CEO and psychologist.

 

In calculating a mom’s wages, Salary.com looked at the “overtime” that both working and stay-at-home moms put in each week. According to the Salary.com survey, stay-at-home moms work a 92-hour week, with more than half the workweek spent in overtime.

 

Working moms, meanwhile, logged more than nine hours of “overtime,” with an average 49-hour “mom” work week — on top of their full-time paying jobs.

 

For the Salary.com survey, more than 40,000 moms quantified their hours per job description; Salary.com benchmarked the median salaries for each job to the national median salary for each position as reported by employers. The final salary was calculated by weighting the salaries and hours worked in each role.

 

 

Mother’s Day Ideas

 

Instagra-mom

Winning mom receives upgrade for phone or tablet and trip to Nashville (or concert front row, or cash to spend going interesting places, etc.) so she can Instagram her family and friends and station showing herself enjoying her prize. (Mother’s Day 2016)

 

Mom’s Family Tree

Give away short subscriptions to Ancestry.com (or similar software). Grand prize winner receives services of genealogist and has a tree planted in her honor.  (Mother’s Day 2016)

 

Meanwhile Back At Mamma’s

Give away items mentioned in the Tim McGraw song: certificate for restaurant, beer and wine tasting, horseback ride/adventure, new television, new stove, etc.  Or just pick a few small ones and qualify for one of the big items mentioned in the song.  (Mother’s Day 2016)

 

You GO Mom!

Winner receive GoPro so mom can show her family how she makes her favorite recipes, what her day is like, etc. Add a bonus prize (concert, etc.) and have winner stream it.  (Mother’s Day 2016)

 

Message and Massage

Sell to spa, Massage Envy, etc., Winner receives massage but also personalized message from an artist that she can use for an answering machine/voice mail message.  (Mother’s Day 2016)

 

Mother’s Day Flowers All Year

Qualifying moms receive Mother’s Day bouquet; grand prize winner receives monthly flowers for a year.  (Mother’s Day 2016)

 

 

Mom Photobomb Tour

Sell this to multiple merchants that would make sense for places mom would like to visit: spa, salon, upscale restaurant, etc. Winning mom gets $100 gift certificate (variable) to each store and has picture taken in ‘photobomb’ style so she can share with her friends. (Mothers Day 2015)

 

Make Up With Mom

Sell this to a salon, pharmacy or cosmetics retailer. Daughters register to join their mom in a free make-up session with a professional. Offer some free products as well. Tie in an upscale restaurant, playhouse or other place one might go where being “dressed up” would be important. Or sell a co-sponsorship to an upscale women’s clothing store. (Mothers Day 2015)

 

The Best Thing About My Mom Is…

Listeners submit one special trait/life instance with their mom. Winners receive a Mother’s Day-appropriate prize of significant value from the sponsor. (Mothers Day 2015)

 

Mom’s a “Show” Off

Sell this to a theater that will also give us tickets to upcoming shows. Winning mom receives 3 months of tickets (or whatever number is appropriate). You can movie theater tickets as qualifying prizes (or as the grand prize if you don’t have a live performance venue). (Mothers Day 2015)

 

Mother’s Night

Sell to a movie theatre, restaurant, or any business that does significantly more business earlier than later on Mother’s Day. “Mother’s Day doesn’t have to end with the day” when mom can get special treatment like a free or discounted movie ticket, free or discounted meal, etc. after 5pm.

 

Flowers for Mom

Get a head start on Mother’s Day with a member of the morning show passing out single roses to mom’s on the way to work or school drop off. Sell to a florist. Appear in several spots around town.

 

Mom-Skype-ing

Arrange a promotion where tablets are given away to moms so they can have a Skype call with their kids on Mother’s Day.

 

Mom’s on “Board”

Work with a digital billboard company and an appropriate sponsor to put a winning mom on a billboard with greetings from her family and a sponsor who provides a nice prize and shares the billboard with the winning mom.

 

Military Mom Salute

Invite moms with kids or grandkids in the service to register to be saluted on the air by the morning show the Friday before Mother’s Day. Sell a coffee shop, bakery or similar on giving all moms who register a small gift anytime the week after Mother’s Day (a coffee, nice cookie, etc.).

 

Make Mom Sparkle

Sell to cleaning service and jewelry store. Listeners register online for which one (or both) prizes (whole house cleaning plus piece of nice jewelry) they want their mom to win (this is to allow you to capture email addresses).

 

Send Mom Around The World

…or at least to some restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world. Sell one restaurant representing one ethnic food style and award one winner an ‘around the world dining experience.’

 

Salute to Single Moms

Kids of single moms salute them online with random drawings for indulgences (spa day, weekend getaway) and/or necessities (like grocery store vouchers).

 

Mom, Stepmoms and Moms-In-Laws

Tell us why your step mom or mother-in-law is great and win meal or other prize for your mom as well as the person you’re writing about.

 

Expectant Mom’s Day

All expectant moms and register to win needed services (sponsored). Also consider selling promotion to a hospital with special neonatal, birthing facilities.

 

Upgrade Mom’s ‘Pad

Sell a carpet cleaning, house cleaning service, etc. a promotions where they give away 5 cleanings, one per day the week before Mother’s Day. Draw from the 5 winners for a grand prize of a new iPad and a Starbuck’s Gift Card so she can show it off to all her friends.

 

Picture This

Sell a Big Box or similar on giving away 5 digital picture frames, one per day the week before Mothers’ Day. Draw from the 5 winners for a grand prize of a new camera.

 

Military Moms

Arrange for free video phone calls from moms to sons (Dad’s can join in too).

 

Mom’s Pin-Ups

Sell to an electronics store, camera store, bookstore, etc. Hold a remote where someone who is an expert on Pinterest shows how/helps attendees create their own Pinterest page. Hold a drawing for a digital camera (or photo editing software or both) so that mom can pin pictures of her family.

 

Mamma Pajama

Sell schedule with this theme to women’s wear store. Have station personnel ‘model’ the PJs with online snaps.

 

Mystery Moms

Sell this contest to a restaurant or other place you’d take mom to on Mother’s day. Lift “mom” (or mamma) from three songs and edit them together. Nth caller to correctly identify title and artist when they play win certificate for 4.

 

Moms Online

Moms (or their children) post photos online in various categories. Oldest mom playing a sport, mom with most kids that look like her, best dressed mom, etc.  Sell to sponsor that offers prizes for winners as determine by listeners’ votes.

 

Mother’s Day Race

Kids push their moms in shopping carts, wheelbarrows, etc. Winning mom gets a spa package. Everybody wins something.

 

Mother’s Day Breakfast

Partner with a restaurant, grocery store or mall to serve breakfast to moms (and their families) today.

 

Mother’s Day Picnic

Listeners register online or on-air to win complete Mother’s Day picnics: basket filled with lunch, blanket to sit on, etc. Partner with a grocery store/deli/caterer.

 

Happy Mother’s Day DVD

Sell remote to electronics dealer where listeners can digitally film a 2-minute Happy Mother’s Day greeting, receive it on DVD to send/e-mail to their mom. Register all who attend to win digital movie camera.

 

Mr. Mom

Play like Battle of the Sexes with married couple with young kids and stay-at-home mom. Dad has to answer questions like when it’s nap time, the baby food the child loves/hates, etc. Every couple wins night out with cash for baby sitter.

 

Who’s Your Mamma?

Listener poll: “My mom is most like this TV mom because…”

 

Thanks, Mom!

Listener call special line to leave “thank you, Mom, messages” to be played back over the weekend. Alert all participants you’ll be using as to when their greeting will air. Bonus points: e-mail them an MP3 of the event. Tie in appropriate sponsors like florists, restaurants, etc. which are awarded to all moms who are saluted (or via random drawing from all submissions).

 

Mom’s Revenge

Reverse on how moms used to embarrass you bit; mom’s share the things they do to intentionally embarrass their kids (drive them to school in the “beater” car, give them a kiss in front of their friends, etc).

 

Pimp My Mom

Sell several merchants (spa, upscale clothing store, salon, etc.) a joint promotion where mom is made over.

 

One Hot Mama

Listeners register their moms to win trip to warm climate.

 

Moms on the Run

Hold fun run for moms on Saturday before Mother’s Day. Sponsor tie-ins: athletic shoe store, health club, florist, charity, etc.

 

Marching Moms

Tie in with March of Dimes for short Mom’s Walk against Birth Defects.

 

Mamma Mia!

Register moms to win trip to New York City to see Broadway production of the musical “Mama Mia!” Multiple sponsor tie-ins.

 

Dinner at Mom’s

Got a restaurant called “Mom’s?” Perfect for a Mother’s Day promotion.

 

First Time Moms Social

Sell a catering house or restaurant a promotion where first-time moms are invited (with their kids) to an afternoon tea and informal social for a chance to make new friends.

 

Take Mom to the Movies

Sell a weekend promotion to a theater and give away passes.

 

Get Mom Out of the Kitchen

Sell a promotion to a catering company that gives away catered dinners.

 

Get Mom Out of the Kitchen (deluxe, multi-sponsor version)

Give away the services of a personal chef for the day. Tie in additional sponsors like gourmet grocer, wine store, kitchenware store (mom gets to keep the cookware the chef uses), etc.

 

Can’t Wait For Mother’s Day

Sell restaurant on enticing diners to come on Saturday night instead of Sunday. Offer same menu but include something else for free (dessert, glass of wine, corsage, etc). Also pitch less waiting.

 

Picture Perfect Mom

Sell a promotion to a photographer that offers special prices on portraits of mom, family, etc. Listeners can register to win a free sitting for their mom, family; etc. Or sell a similar idea to a camera dealer.

 

Mom’s Memories

Create a promotion with multiple sponsors to give away a “Mom’s Memories” scrapbook. Sponsors include scrapbook supply dealers (this is a hot item right now), camera or digital camera dealer, software vendor for picture showcasing or home publishing, restaurant where you can present mom with the book, etc.

 

First Mom’s Day

Sell a photographer on a promotion where all listeners who are moms for the first time register to win a portrait of them and her child on her first Mother’s Day. Or open to all moms and their kids.

 

What Moms Really Want

Morning show bit where moms call in the week before Mother’s Day and tell listeners what Moms really want.

 

Mom-Child Look-Alike

Sell to a mall. Listeners send in photos of themselves and their moms, which are posted at the mall. Local celebrities judge; invite local TV person to improve chances of being on their newscast. Winners receive mall gift certificates. Also works for Father’s Day.

 

Mom’s Day Make-Over

Arrange a promotion with a salon that features makeovers. Moms register on the air to win. Other tie-ins: photographer, nice clothing store, upscale cosmetics store, etc.

 

My Mom’s the Best

Using the same number of words as your frequency, listeners submit via e-mail, letter, fax why their mom is the best. Finalists are drawn and read on the air and listeners vote for the grand prize winner. Alternately, a new winning entry is read each morning the week before Mother’s Day.

 

Mom’s Pearls of Wisdom

Phone bit with listeners sharing their mom’s favorite advice, expressions. Select one caller’s name at random at the end of the bit to win a prize for mom. Or sell this to a jewelry store and give away a string of pearls to a randomly drawn entrant.

 

Mother Lode of Gifts for Mom (Best Mom of Them “Mall”)

Sell to a mall. Listeners register at mall locations, listen for their names to be called the week before Mother’s Day to win a small gift certificate for mom ($25). Grand prize winner will be selected from all qualifiers to win $1,000 mall-wide gift certificate so mom can buy herself everything she wants.

 

Mother’s Day Reunion

Create a promotion involving a travel agency, airline, Amtrak, etc. that sends mom to visit kids living far away, or that brings kids into town to see mom.

 

On-Air Mammogram

Promote breast-cancer awareness by having member of the morning show broadcast live while having a mammogram done.

 

Phone Bits

• Ways Mom used to embarrass you
• What Mom threw away that you wish you had now
• Talk to an orphanage, social worker, adoption specialist on the joys of adopting
• Moms call to give their best advice

 

Roses for Mama

You don’t have to play the song to do this promotion. Listeners register at local florist (or on web, via fax, card, e-mail to the station) to win roses or other flowers for their mom. Or sell to company like 1-800-flowers or Vermont Teddy Bear Company (give a bear with flowers or instead of flowers).

 

Name That Mom

Listeners identify the voice of a famous mother (Wilma Flintstone, June Cleaver, etc.) to win a treat for mom (hour at the spa, chocolate, gift certificate to department or women’s store, jewelry store, etc.).

 

Mom’s a “Gem”

Listeners register at jewelry store to win merchandise for their moms, wives. Devote a page on your website to show the prize, explain the contest, post jewelry store ad.

 

Music to Mom’s Ears

The weekend before, each time a song with “mama,” “mother” or “mom” in the title or lyrics plays, award a prize or register caller for a grand prize.

 

Top Moms

Listeners send names/info on oldest mom, mom with the most kids, newest mom, anyone who became a mom since last Mother’s Day. Draw for brunch/dinner certificates, flowers, etc., with a grand prizewinner of a getaway weekend.

 

Queen for a Day

Create a multi-sponsor promotion where moms are registered to win a day of services: house cleaning, cooking, errand/taxi service, etc.

 

VIP Mom

Work with a restaurant that will not only give away free dinners, but also offer VIP treatment for moms: no waiting in line, flower son the table, special dessert, etc.

 

Mudders Day Desert

All moms get free Mud Pie deserts at a restaurant or a slice of Mud Pie from a bakery.

 

 

 

MEMORIAL DAY

  

Meet Our Living Veterans

Morning show visits VA Hospital, VFW, recruiting stations, etc. to talk to and shoot video/audio of vets telling their stories. Cut up and use for imaging as well as posting a series of video or audio podcasts. Sponsorable.

 

Stories of American Heroes

You’ll need to do a little research to find stories of heroic feats, heroes (known and unknown), events that shaped conflicts, etc. Turn these into 15-second vignettes that can run once an hour all Memorial Day weekend. These can also be turned into podcasts.

 

Memorial Wall

For the week, invite listeners to remember fallen family and friends by submitting brief notes (you could limit it to 200 characters) and pictures on your “Wall of Honor.”  Alternately you could honor those who have fallen with a simple list of those in your listening area.

 

Memorial Day Weekend Sail

Give away tickets to an area cruise; consider a grand prize of a canoe or kayak.

 

Thank You for Serving

Set up a mail box where listeners can thank our servicemen now serving while appreciating the sacrifice of those who died serving the country; would make strong imaging all weekend.

 

Break for the Lake (Beach)

Sounder-driven contest for week leading to Memorial day where listeners win picnic basket/cooler filled with sponsors’ prizes appropriate for weekend fun (food, suntan lotion, etc.) with grand prize of $500 to Break for the Lake without Breaking the Bank.

 

Honor Guard

Arrange gathering at a local park or public place where listeners can honor our heroes simply by showing up. American Legion or VFW may be a good partner. Pass out flags or car window flag decals provided by sponsor.

 

KXXX 21 Gun Salute

Morning show makes a point of saluting fallen heroes and at a pre-arranged time, a military honor guard does a 21 gun salute in a public place hosted by a member of the morning show.

 

Guest Announcers

Solicit for local veterans to call in and share their stories. Run those over the course of the weekend, and also record them intro-ing songs that you’ll be playing over the weekend, including appropriate Memorial Day messages.

 

We Remember

Throughout weekend, station voice cuts mini-recaps of famous battles our soldiers have fought, thanking all those who’ve given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today.

 

Our Greatest Heroes and Our Greatest Music

Throughout the weekend, use this theme to air mini-bios of American Military Heroes and follow up with mini-bio on country’s greatest singers and their biggest songs.

 

Live Service Broadcast

Have an air talent live at an early morning Memorial Day service, and send back live audio.

 

Salute Veterans

Contact heads of area VFW, American Legion, other Veterans’ groups for heartfelt message asking all listeners to remember the meaning of the day. Example: Mix a somber drum roll with taps and the following: “KXXX remembers our Veterans. ‘I’m Joe Smith from VFW Post 333. Memorial Day is a time to remember the great sacrifices made by people right here in our town who gave their lives in the pursuit of freedom.’ This Memorial Day, KXXX remembers all our Veterans and urges you to do the same.”

 

Find the Briquette in the Barbecue Sauce

Leading up to Memorial Day Weekend, qualify listeners to play this game at a sponsor’s location. Pick a day this weekend to host the event. On that day, barbecue free hot dogs and hamburgers for listeners, and also qualify one more contestant at the event. Have a total of 10 contestants get in a vat/tub/pool of barbecue sauce and look for the briquette. Whoever finds the briquette wins a barbecue, charcoal, grilling supplies, meat…and a clean station T-shirt.

 

WXXX 500

Award cash or prizes for the 500^th caller when you play your 500^th song of the weekend. Maybe have a commercial-free weekend, with blocks or hours of music “brought to you by” various sponsors.

 

Backyard Barbecue

To celebrate National Barbecue Month and the unofficial kickoff of summer, listeners register to win a backyard barbecue hosted by the station. The winner gets to invite 25 of their closest friends. Sponsors include a grocery store, butcher or catering company, a barbecue store, an outdoor furniture store, a contractor (to build a deck or patio), a landscaper, a sprinkler company, etc. The winner gets to keep all of the goodies. If you can tie in an artist, get them to perform at the party.

 

Gentlemen, Start Your Grills

Sell this to multiple sponsors. All weekend, run the race-sounding announcement, “Gentlemen, start your grills,” and take the Nth caller to win hot dogs, soft drinks, picnic-related items, etc. Grand prize winner on Tuesday wins new grill, accessories and a summer’s worth of food to grill.

 

The Station That Gives You Gas

Whether you’re traveling or grilling Memorial Day Weekend, you need the station that gives you gas! Sell promotion to service station and gas grill dealer. Winners receive 10 gallons of gas and grill tools. Grand prize-winner receives a tank of gas a week through the summer and a new grill.

 

Memorial Day 500

Early in the month, invite listeners to send in five of their favorite songs for the WXXX Memorial Day Weekend 500, collecting data base info at same time. Post list of the top 500 on your website; also coupon the bottom of the list and offer for giveaway at participating sponsors after the weekend is over. Also, solicit e-mail requests for the Top 500 list, being sure to capture data base info; e-mail coupons can still be included.

 

Country from A To Z

Alternately, use the Memorial Day Weekend to play the best country songs alphabetically by title.

 

Memorial Day Meat & Greet

Secure a park or work with a client who has space enough to hold a weekend cookout with music and games. Sponsor tie-ins include food and soft drink venders, the client whose location you use.

 

“Unofficial” Start Of Summer

Memorial Day often marks the unofficial beginning of summer with summer business openings, merchandise on display, etc. Hold a “welcome to summer” weekend by giving away grills (supermarket/meat market tie-in), coolers (beer/soft drink tie-in), beach towels/Frisbees/beach balls/beach umbrellas (pool store/discount store tie-in) with station logos.

 

 

GRADUATION/PROMS…

 

Adds for Grads

Sponsorable. Station dedicates a web page where grads can list their availability for summer work if they’ve graduated from high school and will be going to college of technical school in the fall. Or, if they’ve graduated and are not planning further education, they can post an add looking for fulltime work. All looking for work postings are free. Station revenue comes from page sponsor(s). Good tag line for sponsors: “believing in our future leaders” or similar. (Graduation 2017)

 

Pads for Grads

Sponsorable. Three ways to go: 1 – sell a remote or schedule to an apartment complex or realtor; 2 – keep it digital only by setting up a webpage where apartments and realtors can advertise – just like those real estate books you can pick up for free at the supermarket except clients can change the featured offerings with 24 hour notice; 3 – Sell a schedule or remote to an inexpensive or used furniture store targeting those who are moving out on their own for the first time. Also works well for a store like Goodwill. (Graduation 2017)

 

How Not To Be Shy

Invite a psychologist/speaker specializing in self esteem to share ideas on how to overcome shyness about asking for a date to the prom – and expand that to “how to ask for anything.” Do this for both men and women. (Prom, Graduation 2017)

 

Prom/Date Advice from Facebook

Poll listeners for their best advice for asking for dates (prom and otherwise) and also how to gently decline. (Prom, Graduation 2017)

 

Graduation Weekend

Salute graduating classes from the past by playing 3-song blocks of music from the years they graduated. Use plenty of production including montages featuring clips from movies, TV shows, politics, hooks of songs from this year that you’re not including in this montage, etc. Salute schools by name. (Prom, Graduation 2016)

 

Formal Uh-Tires

For prom season, partner with a formal wear store and limo service to draw for free tuxedos and limousine rides to area proms from in-store registrations. Other tie-ins could include florists, restaurants, dress shops/department stores. Or limit to a merchant selling formal attire and a dealer that will sell you “a tire.” (Prom, Graduation 2016)

 

Prom Central

Register listeners (or listeners’ kids) for complete prom packages: Limo, tuxedo, dress, shoes, jewelry, flowers, dinner, etc. Multiple sponsor possibilities. (Prom, Graduation)

 

Pads for Grads

Works as an on air or onsite registration event where two iPads are given away, one to a high school and one to a college grad (one to a male and female graduate). (Prom, Graduation)

 

 

NON-DATE-SPECIFIC IDEAS…

 

Summer Drummer

Sellable promotion where a :01 drum riff from a hit song is played on the air several times a day. Listeners can post their guess each times per day along with #summerdrummerWXXX. All correct guesses are entered for a daily prize drawing and all guess (correct or not) are entered for a larger, monthly Prize. Alternately this could be played 100% on the station website instead of on air.  (Summer, 2018)

 

Call Me “Herbie”

Sell this to a garden center and a restaurant that specialized in Locavore dishes. Give away mini herb gardens. Listeners bring a picture of them (or whatever herb or vegetable plant they have growing) to the restaurant for a free appetizers ideally featuring local produce and herbs (like bruschetta).

 

What the Bleep Did (S)He Say?

Play snippets from several songs from one artist, selectively bleeping out a key word or two from each song. The bleeped words should form a sentence. Listeners have to figure out the sentence in order to win the prize. Works well to build buzz for an artist who’s coming to town.

 

What the Bleep Did They Say?

Same as the previous game, but these songs don’t have to all be from the same act.

 

School’s Out…and In

Sell a promotion to Junior College, Technical School on signing up for summer classes.

 

The Long and Short of It All

Remote event: Measure for the tallest and shortest person who attends to win a gift certificate in the amount of your frequency. Draw from everyone who submits their name for bonus gift certificates. Also a web contest where listeners rank list of celebrities from shortest to tallest.

 

“MAY”-Jor (Major) Prize Give Away Every Day

Trade for fantasy prizes of least $500 and give one away each day this month. Ideas: Private party at a restaurant, tickets to ball game for you and 10 friends, $500 worth of custom detail work on a car, a flight for two to Las Vegas and tickets to a show, etc.

 

If The Shoe Fits

Sell to a shoe store. Invite listeners to visit store and match various shoe sizes with
celebrities’ pictures on a first class poster. Post a dozen shoe sizes and pictures of eight celebrities – including actors and country superstars. Give on-air clues, and accept in-store as well as e-mail entries to boost your station database. Grand prize – flyaway to see artist in concert and/or trip to Hollywood. Could also work with clothing store and dress/suit sizes.
Steppin’ Out

Sell to shoe store or clothing store. Listeners register to win gift certificate for shoes or his/hers wardrobe and a place to wear it. Examples: Small prizes like tennis shoes and court time and golf shoes and with tee times. Large prize like sandals and a trip to the Bahamas or golf shoes and trip to fabulous golf resort.

 

Time To Play In May

Outfit a listener’s backyard with things to play with – from horseshoes and complex swing sets for kids to new grill, even pool or deck for adults. Sell to various sponsors for cash and merchandise donation.

 

Ultimate Country Stage

Arrange a promotion with a contractor to build a deck at a listener’s house. Supply the listener with a CD jukebox and some live CDs, turning the deck into a stage. Get bonus points if you can tie in an acoustic performance from a baby act coming through.

 

Tool Fools

Sell this to a tool dealer, home improvement store, lumber yard, contractor, etc. Listeners register to win power tools and materials necessary to build a small deck, new interior doors, shed, etc. Sponsor also supplies instructions or, even better, contractor to help.

 

Painting Party

Sell this to a house painter. They paint the outside or inside of the house, then join the winner for a party in their backyard. Station supplies grills, food, chips, music, etc. Multiple sponsor tie-ins.

 

Beat The Band

Host best local band competition at several clubs or over several nights. Best band wins right to open before a listener appreciation concert or other station-sponsored, summer event that will draw a large crowd. Optional: also the right to perform before a label A&R person.

 

 

May Flowers Weekend

Have a florist, nursery or garden center sponsor a give away of flowers for listeners’ gardens, houses, etc. Use a clever cue to call like thunderstorm SFX.

 

Pollen Wash

Arrange for a weekend remote at a car wash with the air staff as guest dryers.

 

Spring Cleaning Weekend

Team with a store that sells cleaning supplies, and give away mops, brooms, cleaning liquid, etc. Draw from all qualifiers for a full spring cleaning of their house.

 

Heavyweight Idea

Sell a promotion with a weight loss company or gym. Listeners who want to lose weight/shape-up send card with name, address, etc. and their guess of the combined weight of the airstaff. Staff has public weigh-in at sponsor during remote. Closest correct guess wins membership. Specials are offered all day/week.

 

Summer Fun Coupon Books

Start lining up clients who will participate in a “Summer Fun Coupon Book” (a collection of discount coupons that you can give away around the 4^th of July). Good opportunity to introduce station to clients who haven’t used station before.  Heighten interest in the book by including an entry form and details for off-air contest.

 

 

 

PLAY BALL!  Ideas for Your Station’s Night at the Ballpark

 

• Host a Wiffleball homerun contest in the parking lot before the game. Winner gets a gift certificate from the team store.
• Host a Baseball Trivia Quiz for free tickets to a future game. Pass out entry sheets with 10 multiple choice questions. Attendees drop them off before the 4^th inning with the winner (random drawing among all correct entries) winning an autographed team jersey.

• Frozen T-shirt contest: At the ballpark, select two (or more) contestants to come down to the field between innings and give them each a small cooler with a frozen station T-shirt inside. The first person to put their frozen T-shirt on wins.

• Slip ‘n Slide: Register kids at the ballpark to do Slip ‘n Slide bowling on the field between innings…using themselves as the bowling ball (while wearing a helmet). The first kid to knock down the most pins or the kid to knock down the pins the fastest wins.
• Double Play Night: Give away tickets to another sporting event that occurs after baseball season.
• Listener Home Run Hitting Contest. 20 listeners qualify on air to hit one of three pitches into stands for home run. Winner (via drawing if no one hits homers or in case of tie) receives luxury box tickets for future game.
• Hit A Homer Night. Listeners try to hit blow-up/picture of Homer Simpson for charity or trip to NY or LA (or home town of major league club if your club is an affiliate) to see ball game. Try tying in with local Fox affiliate.
• Give away station bobblehead dolls of big country acts (these run about $4500 per thousand and could have a sponsor on the back); or create custom bobbleheads for your morning show (more expensive).
• Outfit air staff in team jerseys with their name and station frequency on the back
• Have staffers tear tickets, sell hot dogs, act as “Ball Boys or Girls.”
• Hold contest where listeners win right to be ball girl/guy (one on each foul line per inning).
• Print baseball cards featuring station talent; include DJ’s stats (drinks coffee left-handed), sell a sponsor logo on the back and pass out at remotes. Anyone collecting a complete set over the summer wins free tickets to station’s day at the park or qualifies for trip to World Series or Cooperstown.
• Print station logos on baseballs and distribute them after the game.
• Give away stadium cushions with your logo on one side and a sponsor’s on the other.
• Give away tickets playing “Concession Stand Price Is Right.” Listeners guess the actual cost of various items bought at stadium concession stand. Those “closest without going over the actual concession stand price” wins tickets to the game.
• Team with a soft drink, athletic drink, hot dog/fun food vendor, athletic equipment dealer and local community to sponsor a half-day little league or softball clinic. If there’s enough interest, hold separate clinics for older kids, men and women. Pay a local professional minor-leaguer or college coach to be key instructor.

 

 

The “(____)”-A-Day in the Month of May Contest

 

Medley: Put together four-song medleys of 3-4 seconds each. Play hourly, giving away dollars in the amount of your frequency; double the cash on Thursdays.

 

Artist: Listen for a song from the artist of the day to win artist’s CD (or tickets to upcoming show). Also works with sold, one-hour CD/ticket-stops.

 

Get-Away: Award small, family prizes (packs of tickets to area theme parks,