Here are some effective and creative publicity ideas for amusement parks, along with real-life examples:
1. Influencer Collaborations
- Example: Disney Parks often collaborate with social media influencers and celebrities to showcase their attractions. Influencers create engaging content that reaches their large followings, which can boost park visibility and appeal.
2. Themed Events and Seasonal Celebrations
- Example: Universal Studios runs seasonal events like Halloween Horror Nights and Grinchmas. These events draw in crowds with unique themes and experiences that aren’t available year-round.
3. Interactive Social Media Campaigns
- Example: Six Flags has successfully used interactive social media campaigns, like the “Ride of the Month” where users vote for their favorite ride and get exclusive content or rewards related to the winning ride.
4. Behind-the-Scenes Content
- Example: Cedar Point often shares behind-the-scenes content, including interviews with ride engineers and sneak peeks of upcoming attractions, which helps build anticipation and engage fans.
5. User-Generated Content Contests
- Example: Hersheypark has run photo contests where guests share their park experiences on social media using a specific hashtag. Winners receive park tickets or merchandise, which encourages others to visit and participate.
6. Local Community Engagement
- Example: Knott’s Berry Farm regularly engages with the local community through school programs, charity events, and sponsorships. This builds a strong local support base and enhances word-of-mouth promotion.
7. Unique Partnerships
- Example: Legoland often partners with popular franchises like LEGO movies or TV shows to create themed areas and special events, attracting fans of those franchises and expanding their audience.
8. Exclusive Previews and Soft Openings
- Example: Busch Gardens sometimes hosts exclusive previews of new rides or attractions for members or media. This creates buzz and media coverage before the official opening.
9. Creative Guerrilla Marketing
- Example: Thorpe Park has used guerrilla marketing techniques like placing giant, themed props in high-traffic areas or unexpected locations to catch people’s attention and drive interest.
10. Collaborative Merchandise
- Example: Adventureland might collaborate with popular brands to create exclusive merchandise that can only be bought at the park. This not only boosts park revenue but also provides a unique souvenir for visitors.
Each of these strategies leverages different aspects of marketing, from engaging local communities to harnessing the power of social media and influencer reach, making them effective ways to draw attention and increase visitor numbers to amusement parks.
