- 09/16/2017
- Posted by: Mike O'Malley
- Category:
NEW YEAR’S EVE/DAY/WEEK BEFORE/WEEK AFTER/FIRST QUARTER PROMOTIONS
RING OUT THE OLD, BLING IN THE NEW
Sell a jeweler a promotion where listeners register to win some nice but inexpensive bling with the grand prize being of a ring of substantial value. (New Year 2016)
CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR TWICE
Sell this to multiple sponsors: a formal wear store, vintage clothes store, party store, pizza store on being part of a “Family New Year’s Eve Party.” Outfit everyone in the family with either formal wear or vintage clothing (you could sell it to both), as well as other clients who sell New Year’s Eve Party-related items. One winner receives everything free; all items are available to listeners who ask for the station discount. The twist: celebrate New Year’s Eve first in an earlier time zone so kids can stay awake for it. Then celebrate a second time when it’s turns January 1 in your time zone. (New Year 2016)
TIE ONE ON
Sell this to a department or men’s wear store where ties – appropriate for New Year’s parties are deeply discounted. Also works for shoes. Potential tie -in (pun intended) with Lyft or Uber for rides home in case you tie one on in another way. (New Year 2016)
Some More Ideas from New Year’s/First Quarter’s Past…
BE CHEESY IN THE COMING YEAR
Sell a pizza merchant on giving away pizza for a year. 16 (2016) winners get one two-topping pies, 1 winner gets 16 2-topping pies. Works best as a straight-ahead sales spot-buy pitch with no on-air component. Adjust for the year of course. (New Year 2015)
HAPPY MOO YEAR
Listeners qualify to win station’s frequency worth of pounds of beef (or any other food stuff the sponsoring grocer sells). Add an appliance dealer to the promotion and give away a new freezer as well. (New Year 2015)
RESOLUTION BUDDIES
Sell schedule and category exclusive promotional participation to weight loss center, gym, community college and businesses related to resolutions. Listeners register to win $500-ish value from client. (New Year 2015)
LOSE YOUR BUTT
Sticky name for a lose-weight promotion involving multiple sponsors: gym, weight loss center, even clothing store for when you need a smaller size. (New Year 2015)
WHAT’S YOUR RESOLUTION?
Sell a first quarter schedule to businesses related to the top resolutions (lose weight, quit smoking, eat healthier, exercise more, save money, take a trip, get a better job, manage stress, drink less, find a new love) and offer listeners ‘help’ in keeping their resolutions by registering their resolution(s). One listener randomly chosen from each resolution category wins services/products from that resolution’s sponsor. (New Year 2014)
MODERN DAY ‘FIRST FOOTING’
Originally a New Year’s Day custom of bringing neighbors firewood or something to eat; update it with a Pay It Forward for the first full week of the New Year. Do something different each day from buying coffee for the next 20 people, filling 10 cars’ gas tanks, etc. Possibility client will donate the “pay it forward” for mention – or buy into a package. (New Year 2014)
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW (YEAR)
Sell an “upgrade for the new year” theme to an appropriate business: software, electronics/big box, home improvement, even cars. (New Year 2014)
HAPPY OLD YEAR v1
Sell this to a car dealer who discounts any of last year’s models still on the lot making would-be buyers pretty happy with the price. Also works for used cars. (New Year 2013)
HAPPY OLD YEAR v2
In the week between Christmas and New Year’s, create 15-second vignettes of the biggest stories of the year and sell a 15-second sponsorship to make an interesting 30-second piece. Ideal if you have a news department; alternately use artist audio that you’ve archived to re-create the best musical moments of the past year. Both can pre-promote your year-end countdown. (New Year 2013)
HAVE A HEALTHY NEW YEAR
Sell a health food/nutrition store a one-month campaign that promotes the benefits of a year of healthy eating/vitamins and supplements. (New Year 2013)
START THE NEW YEAR WITH A SMILE
Sell a dental group a promotion featuring discounted cleaning for new patients and/or a special on teeth whitening for everyone. (New Year 2013)
NEW YEARS AT YOUR HOUSE
Can be on or off-air registration to win fully catered party including decorations, food, DJ, hose cleaning before and after, etc. Sell as many sponsorships as makes sense with each sponsor providing a service or product. (New Year 2012)
LITTLE BLACK DRESS (AND TUX) GAME
Photoshop black and tux over torsos of ten country singers’ photos (or find actual photos); blur or cut off the head so the identity is not readily obvious. Supply 15 names (10 of which match the photos, 5 are extras to make the game more challenging). Take email or on air guesses. First to get all correct win; if no one gets all, draw from those with the most correct answers. (New Year 2012)
“RING” IN THE NEW YEAR
Works for the month of January. Sell to a jeweler who may not be getting as much traffic as before the holidays. Offer men’s or woman’s ring as the prize with registration on air (listen for the “ring tone”) as well as in-store. (New Year 2012)
NEW FOR NEW YEAR
“What would you like/need new in the new year?” Set a dollar amount on what the station will spend (say, $2500). A new washer and dryer, TV, wardrobe, car repair/make-over, etc.? Sell this to multiple merchants. Client receives spots (maybe you need a new washer and dryer from Mike’s Appliances) and web presence (photos of what we’re giving away along with links). Again, run this through the month of January. (New Year 2012)
MIDNIGHT RIDER
Promote this contest between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The prize is a ski (or weekend) get away with the winner announced at midnight on New Year’s Eve (and throughout the following week of course). (New Year 2011)
CELEBRATE NEW EARS
Sell this to a business that specializes in piercings. Listeners register to win free piercing and a nice stud or earring (s). (New Year 2011)
FIRST BILL OF THE NEW YEAR IN ON US
Sell to a bank or quick-loan company. Listeners register to have their first bill of the year paid. Set a maximum amount. (New Year 2011)
THE YEAR OF THE DONUT
Throughout the month, register workplaces for a year’s supply of free donuts (trade + schedule). Each Friday in January, select one workplace to win (three dozen donuts every Friday for the year); or have a one dozen winner each morning with the grand prize at the end of the month, etc.). (New Year 2011)
WHEN MIDNIGHT ‘STRIKES’
See a New Year’s Eve party to a bowling alley. Bowl all you want till midnight for $20.10 per person including shoes, snacks, etc. At midnight, all present roll one ball – each strike wins $100 in free games to use in 2011. (New Year 2010)
KIND OF LIKE NEW YEAR’S EVE IN TIMES SQUARE BUT COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Sell a coffee shop or similar a New Year’s Eve promotion idea where it’s like a regular New Year’s Eve party but there are different kinds of coffees and teas instead of booze. (New Year 2010)
EAT NOW, SAVE NOW
Sell this as a web/on air promotion. Listeners download discount coupons to their favorite restaurants from station site: two people eat for $20.14 for the month of January. (New Year 2010)
EAT HEALTHIER THIS YEAR
Sell a grocer on posting a healthy alternative recipe each day on their website. Station supplies spot bank and downloadable coupons and recipes only at station website. (New Year 2010)
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Sell a bookstore a January promotion where listeners can register to win a book a week for a year. Also works with e-book readers. (New Year 2009)
EAR-RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Sell a jeweler on registering listeners to win a man’s or woman’s diamond stud earring. Get a new look for the new year! (New Year 2009)
TV SERIES CATCH-UP
Many TV series return in January. Sell a video retailer or electronics store on giving away DVD series for listeners who haven’t caught up with returning shows (or who just want copies of their favorite shows). (New Year 2009)
YOUR LUCKY DAY CALENDAR
Listeners download monthly calendar with station events and sponsor coupons, ads, etc. Each day also has a secret word that the Nth caller has to know to win a free lunch for 4 (or similar); daily winners are entered in monthly grand prize drawing ($500 or similar).
FIRST NIGHT EVERY MONTH
Sell multiple entertainment-related businesses that offer a discount on the first night of every month throughout the year. Make it exclusive to your database if you wish by requiring members to bring a ‘first night’ coupon from their emailed newsletter.
Alternate: First “Knight” – sell a Medieval-themed restaurant on ‘kids eat free’ or similar idea on the first night of each month. (New Year 2009)
GO GREEN NEXT YEAR
First quarter promotion idea: post a page of 13, weekly tips on how to go green, selling sponsors a listing on the page and mentions on air that are included in station’s Go Green Monday tip of the week (all tips air on Mondays only). Also sell title sponsorships to local green companies, public transportation, etc.
WE’LL HELP YOU SAVE FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL
First quarter promotion for a bank that opens or adds $25 to the account of a daily winner and qualifies each for a monthly drawing for $500.
THE WXXX DISCOUNT CARD
Bringing back this old idea now is especially timely. Station produces Super Saver Cards that are good for various discounts at participating merchants who receive on air and online mentions. Details of each discount are posted online. Email your database to solicit requests for the cards.
A NEW REAR IN THE NEW YEAR
Team weight-loss contest. Teams of four come in to get weighed once a week during the month of January. The team that collectively loses the most weight wins health club memberships, home gyms, weight-loss program fees, etc. Lots of potential sponsors.
A NEW YOU FOR THE NEW YEAR
Extreme Makeover: The Radio Edition. Listeners tell us why they are most in need of a complete makeover: clothes, hair, makeup (if applicable), etc. We choose 5 finalists and let listeners vote on our website. The person with the most votes gets an extreme makeover, courtesy of our sponsors.
TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME
Give away makeovers just in time for New Year’s Eve parties.
AT THE STROKE OF 12
Every 12th song, give away tickets to a New Year’s Eve showing of a movie, show or tickets to a bash (sell this to sponsors).
GO SOMEWHERE NEW IN THE NEW YEAR
Sell this to restaurants, clubs, movie theaters that opened in the second half of the year. Listeners win free tickets, meals, appetizers, etc. to sponsors.
JOIN THE QUITTERS AND LOSERS CLUB
Listeners are invited to join talent who are committed to either quitting smoking or losing weight. Or, have a talent who has done one of these lead the club. Update results weekly for the first month. Sell to gyms, Weight Watchers/Jenny Craig (or similar) or no-smoking clinics/drug producers, etc. Be sure to include a talent fee for those talent participating.
NEW YEAR’S TO REMEMBER
The week between Christmas and New Year’s, give away digital camera so listeners can record the celebration. Post the digital photos they take on your website.
YEAR OF REMEMBERING
Between Christmas and New Year’s give away smart phones; listeners can keep track of great things that will happen to them in the coming year (or keep track of resolutions).
GIVE AWAY A NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Listeners call on hearing part of Auld Lang Syne to qualify for a New Year’s Eve party from the station including food, party supplies, CDs and player, etc. Sell to multiple sponsors.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY PATROL
Listeners who are having parties at their houses e-mail addresses. Random addresses are selected with the station dropping buy to distribute prizes, do call-ins.
HELP LISTENERS KEEP NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Listeners e-mail us their resolutions. Random resolutions are selected and clients contacted who agree to help listeners keep their resolutions. Sell to multiple sponsors like weight loss and quit smoking centers, gyms, etc. Each sales package includes a spot bank.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS LOST
On January 2nd, morning show asks what New Year’s resolutions listeners have already broken.
COUNTDOWN KEEPSAKE
Create slick looking “Top 100 Songs of the Year” lists and e-mail them to listeners who ask for one. Add these names and address to your listener database. Sell a coupon at the bottom or offer limited number at sponsor locations.
REMEMBERING HANK, SR.
Classic Country stations can remember Hank on January 1 by giving away Hank CD collections with grand prize of a trip to Montgomery, AL. Also mark the event with a “Midnight in Montgomery” mini-concert featuring a montage of Hank Senior’s hits at 11:59pm, January 1.