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Las Olas
marketing during the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
As you know, we have a fantastic promotional opportunity during October and
November when, just around the corner, the film festival will be taking place -
and this year is its 25th anniversary. Many people will be coming to the area
and of course, we want them to dine and shop on Las Olas!
And several opportunities available won't cost you a penny!
For example, if you offer an incentive for festival-goers, you can be
assured that a large number will visit your store or restaurant. They will
have to show their festival membership card to be eligible, of course. This
would include the filmmakers, the VIPs, the sponsors ... everyone who attends
the festival. Of course, this will bring people to your business and also, the
festival organizers will add your company name, logo and your offer to their
website.
We looked after the FLIFF website for many years and so I know that it gets a
HUGE number of hits during the event, so the exposure on the site has
significant value. If you're a restaurant, offer a free appetizer or free first
drink. You decide. Retailers - offer 10% off certain purchases. Remember that
the festival runs for three weeks - you can do a lot of business during those
weeks.
Restaurants - be an official film festival watering hole. Your place of
business becomes a late night gathering spot for festival guests with a "first
drink free offer" and snacks. You will be listed in program guide and, as above,
be featured on the website. Those free drinks and a few plates of nibbles could
make your registers ring out!
Or, with a small outlay, become a Festival Café Partner. This
means that you can hold a reception providing food and beverages to upper
level members, filmmakers, sponsors, press, and industry representatives. Have
your banner or collateral in Cinema Paradiso Courtyard on night of your
reception and of course, your logo, company name and details on the website.
This is a great way to showcase your restaurant and drive people to it during
their stay (remember, festival members are a mix of locals and out-of-towners).
You can choose to do this for just one evening, or more, if you prefer. The list
of films isn't finalized yet but you can theme your evening. For example, there
are always French films, Italian films etc., so this is an ideal opportunity for
a French or Italian restaurant. FLIFF will work with you to provide additional
promotions at no extra cost to you.
Now we come to opportunities which are available for any type of business
on the boulevard and which have a small outlay that can really pay dividends!
You can become a friend of the festival and have your logo and company
name on the website. As I mentioned above, the site has a huge number of hits.
But there's more ... as a friend of the festival, you receive 10 tickets
to the film of your choice. Think how you can use these! If you want to treat
your best clients to an evening out, what better way? After the film, hold a
small cocktail party at your premises - there are lots of ways you can maximize
this. How much to be a friend? Just $100. That's just $10 per ticket and
you get the additional exposure too. There are many ways of using those tickets
to market your business and FLIFF will work with you to help you maximize the
opportunity.
Yes, you can go a step further - AND have exposure all year round. If you
partner with the festival at the next level, you'll receive twenty tickets to
the festival - you choose which films you want to use them for. In
addition, you can set up a booth at festival events to promote your business. Of
course, your logo and company name will be on the website but also you can have
an on-screen ad at Cinema Paradiso all year round. How much? $400 -
that's just over $7 a week! In addition, you have the opportunity to add items
to the filmmakers/VIP goodie bags which are handed out during the more
prestigious events at the festival. I think that's a fantastic deal.
You may prefer to be the presenter of a film. If you choose this option, it's a
great idea to theme the film to your business. Cinema Paradiso becomes 'yours'
for the evening your film is being shown. If you are a gallery and would
like to show artworks, that's fine. If you're a fashion store and want to
hold a fashion parade - that's fine too. FLIFF and the Las Olas Association will
work with you. Cost? $300. (Can't afford $300??? Every day, put your loose
change into a jar and you'll be able to afford it next year
:-) yes, that $300 figure works out at 82 cents a day).
Going up to the next level, you get all the opportunities afforded to the $400
level above plus you can display your banner at selected events run throughout
the festival and you'll receive a quarter-page ad in the festival program - the
print run last year was 25,ooo copies. You'll also receive 40 tickets to use as
you wish. By now, you're used to me breaking this down - let's go weekly this
time ... just over $13 per week. ($700)
Where else can you get that sort of exposure to such a high-profile crowd who
are just round the corner from YOUR business?
Advertise in a newspaper, put an ad on TV, all well and good, but film festival
members, VIPs, celebrities, sponsors and so on will be virtually on your
doorstep - don't miss the opportunity!
Back to the JOIN page.
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