Snaps to New York City and the History Channel for their just-announced deal:
New York on Wednesday entered into a co-branding deal with cable TV's History Channel, aimed at boosting the Big Apple as a tourist destination. Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the $19.5 million deal will see the city gain $15 million in free ads on The History Channel, $3.5 million toward the creation of an official New York History Center and $1 million in free programming. The television station will also develop walking tours of New York and contribute to the preservation of historic monuments and landmarks visited by tourists. In return, the History Channel will gain free use of ad space on city bus shelters, street pole banners and phone kiosks among other things during the 3-1/2-year deal. Bloomberg told reporters the deal was "an exceptionally innovative way to help showcase New York City's rich history and diverse cultural heritage."
I'd take a History Channel branded tour of New York City in a, um, New York minute (sorry). This deal shows creativity at a new level on behalf of both organizations. It also reminds us to think big and that connections come from new and different places.
In Richard Laermer's book, Full Frontal PR, he speaks of a colleague that starts brainstorming with the goal of getting his client's logo on the side of the space shuttle. Basically, start from a point where you have never been before and go from there. Speaking of Richard Laermer, I've been conducting an e-mail interview with him and will be posting his take on everything from the Kryptonite lock crisis and blogs to Hollywood and public relations textbooks.
Comments