| Welcome
to New Members
We would like to extend a warm welcome to new members of Aussie Gateways.
We are very pleased to have areas and townships such as Burringbar, Uki,
Stoker’s Siding, Pottsville and Murwillumbah represented in our cooperative
media promotions.
Special thanks to
these new members who are helping to promote the Northern Rivers and Southern
Gold Coast regions via the Aussie Gateways network. If any members are
looking at taking some time out either during the week or on a weekend,
be sure call in at one or more of the following establishments.
Binna
Burra Mountain Lodge, Binna Burra (07) 5533 3622
Moo Moo Café, Mooball (02) 6677 1230
Greenlip Café, Burringbar (02) 6677 0111
Burringbar Real Estate, Burringbar (02) 6677 1699
Pottsville Tavern, Pottsville (02) 66760888
Shiloh Coffee B & B, Stoker’s Siding (02) 6677 9062
Stoker’s Siding Pottery, Stoker’s Siding (02) 6677 9208
Mt Warning Hotel, Uki (02) 6679 5111
Blue Pelican Motel, South Tweed Heads (07) 5536 1777
Twin Towns Motel, South Tweed Heads (07) 5524 3108
PB’s Internet Café, Coolangatta (07) 5599 4536
Drake Hotel, Drake Via Tenterfield (02) 6737 6757
Media
Preference Surveys
Thank you to all members who have returned Media Preference sheets over
the past few months. I collated the results and found the member’s preferences
for the type of advertising and target markets have changed just slightly
since our last survey collation.
The Northern Rivers
members chose Brisbane as the most popular target market for regional
advertising into metropolitan markets, followed by Sydney, then Melbourne
and Canberra. It was interesting to see a change in preferences from our
Southern Gold Coast members who chose Melbourne, just slightly ahead of
Brisbane as their first preference for advertising in metropolitan areas.
Northern Rivers members
recorded the Gold Coast and Toowoomba as popular target markets for television
advertising, with an increase in preferences for the Orange/Dubbo/Wagga
areas also recorded. Southern Gold Coast members chose Toowoomba once
again as their first preference for media promotions into
regional areas but a slight increase in popularity was recorded for advertising
into the Maryborough and Newcastle regions.
“Rest and relaxation”
are still popular categories when promoting the regional identity of both
the Northern Rivers and Southern Gold Coast, however, Northern Rivers
members showed an increased preference for the “Dining Experiences” category
since the last survey. Southern Gold Coast members recorded a slight increase
in the number of respondents who chose “Sporting Tours” as an ideal regional
identity to promote.
March, April,
August and September remain the most popular choices for the timing of
regional media advertising to take place (as recorded by members from
both regions) with some respondents making a note that all months of the
year should be considered as generating ongoing
awareness of any region is most important.
Having collated
the survey sheets received so far, we will continue to place schedules
into the preferred areas as guided by our members. If you would like to
give input at this stage or complete a Media Preference form, (if you
haven’t already) please feel free to contact Mark or Lisa (02) 6680 1424
or fill out the forms from the web site www.aussiegateways.com.au/media_preference
and fax to (02) 6680 2963.
National Promotion
Recently we undertook a national promotion of Aussie Gateways and the
Northern NSW & Southern Gold Coast regions via Force Ten Promotions.
This company was responsible for coordinating a national appeal to raise
money for East Timor. The major prize was a holiday on the Southern Gold
Coast to be chosen from a number of operators who are members of the Aussie
Gateways network. Each of these establishments received recognition at
the presentation dinner held on the 3oth April, 2004 at the Blaxland Ballroom,
Swissotel, Market St, Sydney, attended by 350 people. The entire promotion
utilised television, print media and internet advertising that ran nationally
over a three month period. Special thanks to Gold Coast Airport, Twin
Towns Resort, Tweed Coast Limousines, North Star Holiday Resort, Tweed
Endeavour Cruises and Blue Room Restaurant at Tweed Heads Bowls Club for
offering prizes. The winner will make their choice for accommodation and
all participants will be notified as soon as we receive this feedback.
Take Time Out Publication
In the recent issue of “Take Time Out” Magazine a bonus offer was made
available to members of Aussie Gateways in the form of a 20% discount
given on advertisements taken in this publication. Special thanks to Tweed
Daily News for this generous offer. It will also be available for the
next publication of “Take Time Out”. All members are encouraged to take
advantage of it. Please contact Scott Day at Tweed Daily News (07) 5524-6400
or 0417 783396
Combined Promotions for Northern Rivers and New England
The Northern NSW television and radio commercials continue to spark interest
and receive positive feedback. It seems this campaign has been very well
accepted. It is also a very cost effective campaign as advertising costs
are shared between Northern Rivers and New England. We are currently speaking
to Visitor Information Centres within the Northern NSW area who are keen
to have a presence on the Aussie Gateways portal and be part of the cooperative
media campaigns. They will provide an even bigger boost to our media budget.
I trust all members enjoyed a successful Easter holiday break. Please
continue to send in your feedback. We are keen to hear from you and will
always be responsive to your input. Thanks for your combined efforts to
promote areas of regional Australia as premier holiday destinations.
Mark &
Lisa Russell
Managers
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