Marketing and promoting shopping malls to generate additional footfall

Marketing and promoting shopping malls to generate additional footfall



Here John Hicks shares some ideas from his years at Headline Promotions, Press & Public Relations here in the UK:

· Place yourself at the heart of the community and partnered up with all the local schools & colleges by offering a fraction of a percentage of the proceeds of receipts from your shops back to the schools through a rebate programme. Work on some strong marketing materials for the schools to use.Offer new computers to the school that has the most receipts. I did a similar exercise for an IT company and we had huge PR from this and business from the schools.

· Street entertainment such as fire eaters or magicians etc will give people who come out something to remember for ever. Live music or karaoke in the street, can also be successful parts of an overall campaign.

· In school holidays, lay on plenty of children’s entertainment including face painting sessions, story telling and model making.

· In the UK you normally have to pay a fortune to park your car before you go shopping to spend more. At Brent Cross the parking is free and you find people will travel to it. Negotiate with local car parks to get free off-peak parking and cheaper peak time rates – or offer a refund on parking if they spend more than £50 in one day.

· One of the most successful of my projects was for a garden centre complex that encouraged shoppers to save their receipts. For every £100 in mall receipts, they received 1 entry in an annual drawing for a new car. The winner had to be present to win, so that day the centre was unbelievably crowded. We ran the project jointly with a local car dealership who, in turn, received dealer support from the manufacturer.

· Create events:
Health fairs with free screenings, health information, etc.
Craft fairs highlighting local artists
Fashion shows
Cooking demonstrations
Events tied into various holidays or causes
Record launches

· If you can increase the number of woman visiting your mall the men will follow automatically and your footfall will increase dramatically. Have special women oriented events like beauty workshops, events, have a special women's day where they are given 10% off their purchase.

· A good TV celebrity which appeals to a wide age group will be expensive but my experience shows that it has always, and I mean always, paid dividends!

· At Christmas time, help busy employees of local firms by providing personal shopping assistants before work, during lunch breaks and after work.

· Last, but certainly not least, think about establishing your own on-line radio station. UK Internet Radio Developments can create one for you in 24 hours with music programmes 24/7 – visit their website at http://www.ukird.com/

Do you need practical advice on marketing, PR and promotions for shopping centres and malls in the UK? The contact John Hicks at Headline Promotions, Press & Public Relations http://www.headlinepromotions.co.uk/ or by e-mail at john@headlinepromotions.co.uk






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Basingstoke agency helps launch new fashion retailer

IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
Basingstoke, Hampshire UK
July 7th 2008


Basingstoke agency helps launch new fashion retailer

Europe's newest lingerie on-line retailer has appointed Basingstoke’s PR, marketing and promotions agency, Headline Promotions, Press & PR, to handle the campaign for the recent launch of their new shop at http://www.sunsetlingerie.co.uk/ which is expected to attract substantial orders during the summer and autumn wedding season and in the run up to Christmas.

Richard Davies of Luxembourg-based Sunset Lingerie said: "Our PR and marketing agency, Headline Promotions Press & PR, will undertake the website search engine optimisation, media relations and an on-line advertising campaign across Europe. The team came highly recommended and presented a credible campaign strategy."

Headline Promotions Managing Director, John Hicks, said: “We will be working with photographers in the region to build a portfolio of models to help present the products in the on-line shop and at events. Negotiations are progressing with a major glamour model for the design of her own-label range to be retailed exclusively through the website. This is on top of our web marketing and advertising campaign so we have a busy time ahead.”

With the UK economy struggling, is this a good time to launch a new retail outlet? John Hicks said: “In a recession, people will still want quality lingerie for special occasions, including weddings, and to give as presents. We will use the next couple of years to develop the brand name Sunset Lingerie into a household name in time for when the economy recovers.”

Part of the launch campaign includes a celebrity launch party in Windsor in a few weeks when some new inclusions in the range of sexy underwear and lingerie will be unveiled. Demand for invitations is expected to be high!

Further details of the Basingstoke PR agency can be found at http://www.headlinepromotions.co.uk/


ENDS

Photo: John Hicks of Headline Promotions, Press & PR

Notes to Editors:
Headline Promotions, Press & PR was established in 1996 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, to provide PR, promotions, event management, marketing and web design support for small business in the UK by John Hicks, a member of the Institute of Direct Marketing, bringing together many years of experience across a wide range of business sectors in the UK and Far East.John and his small team's particular speciality is in the manufacturing, retail, internet radio, security, professional services, hospitality, leisure & entertainment sectors but are well-versed across many sectors.


Media enquiries to:John Hicks M.IDM
Headline Promotions, Press & PR
Mobile: 07771 575 654
john@headlinepromotions.co.uk
http://www.headlinepromotions.co.uk/


Keywords: Sunset Lingerie, sexy nighties, glamour models, on-line retailers, bridal wear, autumn brides, summer brides, Christmas presents, xmas presents, Richard Davies, Headline Promotions, John Hicks, Basingstoke, retailing in a recession,






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More misery as wild dolphin captures continue in Solomon Islands’ waters

PRESS RELEASE
London, UK
July 2, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


More misery as wild dolphin captures continue in Solomon Islands’ waters

A further 12 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins have recently been captured and are waiting in sea pens to be exported to marine parks.

This comes nine months after the controversial exports of 28 wild caught dolphins from the Solomon Islands to Palm Atlantis in Dubai last year, and by further captures of dolphins by local fishermen who wanted to start a “dolphin business”.

As a charity working for the protection and welfare of dolphins worldwide, the Marine Connection has huge concerns for not only the welfare of the captured animals but, also, any further captures and exports as the number of dolphins around the Solomon Islands is unknown and any further taking of animals could have a devastating effect on local populations if the government allows captures to escalate.

Once again, these captures were authorised despite no adequate peer reviewed scientific surveys being undertaken to assess that the removal of the animals from the wild will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in these waters. This is a basic requirement of international legislation as outlined by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), whose aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Under CITES law, no captures should be allowed until a Non-Detriment Finding (NDF) has been issued by the exporting country. The Solomon Islands have issued this declaration due to methodological flaws of the study the charity is challenging the effectiveness of this NDF.

Unfortunately the cruel market for wild dolphins is fuelled by the popularity of marine parks and tour operators that promote them. Marine Connection allege that holiday giants Thomson (a branch of tour operator TUI) are promoting excursions to the Palm Atlantis resort in Dubai, the facility that purchased and imported the dolphins from the Solomons last year. Ironically, TUI are also partners of 2007 “Year of the Dolphin” an initiative launched by the United Nations which aims to highlight the many dangers dolphins face in the wild and has been extended into 2008.

The charity has concerns over the inclusion of TUI, as one of the major threats to wild dolphins today is their direct capture and trade to supply marine parks. “Captures are most likely not sustainable and may have significant conservation implications” – these facts were acknowledged by all “Year of the Dolphin” partners and TUI should prove its commitment by pledging to cease sales of this type of excursion.

A spokesperson for the Marine Connection, said: “Tour operators such as Thomson and Virgin who promote and profit from captive dolphin facilities have a huge responsibility today - environmentally, socially and ethically. Excursions to captive dolphin facilities, artificial enclosures which confine these socially complex and predatory animals, are an inherent contradiction to this tremendous responsibility. As long as tour operators promote these facilities and people continue to visit them, wild captures will continue.”

Further information can be found at www.marineconnection.org

ENDS

For media-related inquiries, or images contact:
Janja Novak, Campaigns Development Officer, Marine Connection
Tel 00 44 (0) 20 7602 1574 email: janja@marineconnection.org

Notes for Editors
The Marine Connection is a London-based charity, working both nationally and internationally for the welfare, protection and conservation of dolphins, whales and porpoises - from the smallest to the largest species, they all need protecting. One way the charity achieves this is through a mix of campaigning, education and research. The Marine Connection has achieved, or contributed to, many important victories for dolphins and whales. However, whilst an actively campaigning organisation, education and research also play a vital part of the charity’s conservation work. One of the charity's main objectives is to ensure everyone understands the importance of protecting these marine mammals and their natural habitat.


Press released issued through the UK-based Press Release Writing Service
(http://www.pressreleasewritingservice.co.uk/)

John Hicks
Headline Promotions, Press & PR
25 Basingfield Close
Old Basing
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG24 7BGUnited Kingdom
http://www.headlinepromotions.co.uk/
john@headlinepromotions.co.uk

Fleet Air Arm Museum Veterans' Day "A huge success"

PRESS RELEASE
Yeovilton
1st July 2008

Veterans young and old thronged to the Fleet Air Arm Museum on Sunday 29th June 2008 to be awarded their Veterans badges.

The presentation of badges was officiated by Admiral Terry Loughran and David Laws MP supported by veteran CPO Stu Rainsbury, WO1 Julie Halford and 22 year old Marine Chris Turner who has recently returned from serving in Afghanistan .

The presentations took place under Concorde accompanied by Musicians from the Royal Marines Association Concert Band.

Elsewhere throughout the Museum, surrounded by aircraft spanning almost 100 years, exhibitors and Museum staff encouraged visitors to reminisce and record their memories related to bygone days. WW2 memories were brought sharply into focus by AsOne Theatre Productions who performed a programme of nostalgic wartime classics.

Says Museum Director Graham Mottram . “We were delighted to see so many families, often spanning three generations, as grand children watched their grand parents receive their badges. The day was a huge success and much enjoyed by all.”

Helping to receive visitors and answer their queries throughout the day were children from Bucklers Mead School in Yeovil.

ENDS




Caption 1: Veterans badge
Caption 2: David Laws MP presenting Veterans badge to WW2 veteran



ENDS.



Media Enquiries: Jon Jefferies Head of Marketing. 01935 842638





John Hicks M.IDM
Headline Promotions, Press & Public Relations
25 Basingfield Close
Old Basing
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG24 7BG
England
Tel: +44 7771 575 654
www.headlinepromotions.co.uk
john@headlinepromotions.co.uk

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