Media Exposure of Aussie Gateways Project 2002

February / March 2002
· Distribution of Southern Gold Coast Flyer throughout Southern Gold Coast region.

· Television schedules into the Toowoomba and Tamworth regions through TEN and Prime networks.
*Southern Gold Coast 30 & 15 sec TVCs to Toowoomba from February 28th to March 10th 2002 (TEN)
*Northern Rivers 30 sec TVC into Tamworth Region from March 1st to March 9th 2002. (Prime)

· Official Launch of Aussie Gateways / Southern Gold Coast Media Campaign held at Twin Towns Services Club Tweed Heads, NSW.

· News Story on NBN Evening News 14th March 2002, re official launch and details about the entire Aussie Gateways campaign for Southern Gold Coast.

· Live 15 minute radio interview on Radio 97 re Aussie Gateways project and its achievements to date. Six monthly progress report and follow up from August 2001 interview.

April / May 2002
· Television schedule for Northern Rivers TVC through WIN Television Toowoomba, March 22nd to April 1st, 2002.

· Television schedule of Aussie Gateways corporate television commercial into the Northern Rivers window through TEN. May 15th to May 31st, 2002

June / July 2002
· Television schedule for Aussie Gateways corporate commercial (membership drive) into Northern Rivers window through NBN. June 2nd to June 11th, 2002.

· Television schedule into Newcastle window split 50/50 between Northern Rivers and Southern Gold Coast TVCs through NBN - June 2nd to June 15th, 2002.

· Television schedule for Aussie Gateways corporate commercial (membership drive) into Northern rivers window through Prime television – June 15th to June 25th, 2002.

· Initial print out of draft copy of “Self Drive / Guided Tours” brochure for proofing and approval by members of the Aussie Gateways network.

August / September 2002
· Printed 30 000 copies of “Self-Drive / Guided Tours” brochure and distributed bundles to all members plus VIC’s at Murwillumbah, Lismore, Ballina, Tweed Heads, Maclean, Grafton, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Armidale, Coffs Harbour & Southern Gold Coast. Also placed brochures at Gold Coast Airport, Lismore Shopping Centre, Showcase On The Beach Shopping Centre, Coolangatta and various other outlets including RSL Clubs, Cafes, Shopping Centres.

· Live radio interview with Radio 3BA Ballarat, Victoria … broadcast from Twin Towns Quality Resort, Tweed Heads.

October 2002
· October On-line Newsletter to all members asking them to support the Aussie Gateways Local’s Card Promotion.

· Television schedule with NBN using Aussie Gateways corporate commercial. A crawl was added to this tvc with a 1800 number for operators to phone if they want to develop on-line booking services. This tvc was telecast in the Northern Rivers window from October 2nd to October 23rd, 2002.

· Second schedule with NBN promoting the Aussie Gateways Local’s Card. Both the Northern Rivers and Southern Gold Coast tvcs were telecast in their own areas with an added voiceover encouraging locals to purchase the Aussie Gateways Local’s Card. All proceeds from the sale of the card going the NBN Telethon Appeal, raising funds for children’s health services. These tvcs also introduced the 1300 number where information about the Local’s Card can be accessed.

· News story with NBN television promoting the launch of the Aussie Gateways Local’s Card promotion.

· Radio schedule with Radio 97, Tweed Heads promoting the Aussie Gateways Local’s Card. This schedule telecast between October 28th 2002 & November 28th, 2002.

November 2002

· Sponsorship of Tweed Coolangatta Corporate Golf Challenge – also collected funds for the NBN Telethon at the Golf Club before the Golf Presentation.

· Commencement of Local’s Card promotion with APN Newspapers. This series of advertisements appeared in the Northern Star, North Coast Advocate, Byron Shire News and Richmond River Express Examiner during November and will continue until March 2003.

· Live segment on NBN Television in association with the “We Care” NBN Telethon. The Aussie Gateways Local’s Card was introduced and the tourism establishments of the Northern Rivers & Southern Gold Coast regions that are members of the Aussie Gateways network were promoted.

· Live 20 minute radio interview with Radio 97 Tweed Heads promoting the Local’s Card and the chance to win one of six family holidays simply by purchasing the card. Many of the Aussie Gateways members were named and locals were encouraged to access the web site for more details about the competition and the special offers available from each establishment.

· Staging of a radio competition with Radio 97 whereby listeners phoned in and named one of the establishments offering a holiday as part of the Aussie Gateways Local’s Card competition. Five listeners phoned in and received a free local’s card as a prize. They were also entered into the draw to win the free family holiday.

· Newspaper advertisements in a 16 page full colour lift out section of The Christchurch Press, New Zealand. This newspaper is New Zealand’s second largest circulation newspaper. It is delivered South Island wide and targets a population catchment of 670, 000 people 20+. The AG advertisements encourage readers to access the Aussie Gateways portal for on-line holiday information and bookings for accommodation, attractions, activities, dining.

December 2002
· Radio schedule with 2GF Grafton promoting the Local’s Card & the Local’s Card Competition. Commencement date December 2nd continuing until December 16th.
This schedule was based on the same strategies used with Radio 97. Five free Local’s Cards given to listeners who phoned in and named one of the establishments participating in the Aussie Gateways “Win a Holiday” Competition.

· Ongoing promotion of Local’s Card on NBN television as part of the telethon appeal.

· Ongoing promotion of Local’s Card in APN Newspapers. Northern Star, North Coast Advocate, Byron Shire News, Richmond River Express Examiner.

· Placement of a 2 x half–page advertisements and one 1/9 page advertisement in the Northern Star special publication “Around the Coast.” 80 000 copies of this holiday lift-out are published just after Christmas each year. The Aussie Gateways ad encourages visitors to use the Aussie Gateways portal to plan their holiday accommodation and activities and also encourages locals to purchase their Aussie Gateways Local’s Card and use it at the establishments of Aussie Gateways members during the off-season.