Mississippi Gulf Coast Warms Up Times Square
Gulf Coast Regional Tourism Partnership brings the Mississippi Gulf Coast to millions in time for New Year’s Eve.
Gulfport, MS (December 28, 2011) – The warmth of the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be showcased to millions ringing in 2012 at the country’s largest New Year’s Eve Celebration in New York City. The Gulf Coast Regional Tourism Partnership’s (GCRTP) new “Leave Your Winter Coat at Home” promotional spot will run on the CBS Superscreen in the heart of Times Square starting Dec. 31st through March 31st.
“To our knowledge, this is the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s first presence in the heart of one of the most visited cities in the world,” says John McFarland, chairman of the Gulf Coast Regional Tourism Partnership. “Timing this promotional spot to hit on New Year’s Eve and run through the winter draws attention to the Mississippi Coast leading into our peak travel season. This ‘Superscreen’ will not only show off our region to millions of potential visitors, but will also be a daily reminder of the Mississippi Gulf Coast to hundreds of travel media, travel agents, and meeting, event and convention planners who work in or are visiting the media capital of the world.”
The Times Square opportunity was brought to the GCRTP by Mississippi-based GodwinGroup, who also developed the “Leave Your Winter Coat at Home” concept. The special showcase segment compares the cold, blustery winters faced by those in the northeast with the warmer temperatures on the Mississippi Coast that allow for year-round golf, fishing and other outdoor activities.
“We are so excited about this promotion,” says Kim Fritz, chair of the marketing committee for the Gulf Coast Regional Tourism Partnership. “On this massive digital screen in Times Square, we are hitting millions of people with vivid, full-color, action-oriented imagery of our unique blend of amenities, attractions, culture and events – golf, dining, gaming, outdoor and water recreation—that reinforce the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s appeal as an authentic, affordable, warm-weather getaway for people who are ready to escape their dreary cold weather locations.”
The Mississippi Gulf Coast will be featured on the CBS Superscreen, located at 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues, a minimum of 16 times per day between 6:00 a.m. and midnight.
“This particular digital board is right below the CBS logo,” adds Fritz. “It is one of the most sought-after positions in Times Square, and is an enormous exposure opportunity for the Mississippi Gulf Coast!”
Special winter packages to coincide with the promotional segment are offered through a partnership with the Mississippi Hotel & Lodging Association. Packages start at just $150 per person, per day (based on double occupancy) for golf or fishing, and customizable packages are also available. Reservations can be made by calling 1-888-388-1006. For all the lodging and activity options the Mississippi Gulf Coast has to offer, visit www.visitmscoast.org.
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The Gulf Coast Regional Tourism Partnership (GCRTP) is a non-profit entity formed to administer $16 million in tourism marketing and grant funding from BP America. The Partnership board is comprised of business, tourism and community leaders from across the three counties that make up the Mississippi Gulf Coast and is charged with promoting the entire Coast—Jackson, Harrison and Hancock Counties—as one tourism destination.
GodwinGroup, with offices in Jackson, Miss. and Gulfport, Miss., serves clients nationwide. It has been recognized numerous times among the nation’s leading agencies by Ad Age and AdWeek. GodwinGroup provides branding, advertising and reputation management services, as well as Web marketing services through its digital arm WebMetro/Godwin. For more information, visit www.godwin.com and www.webmetrogodwin.com.
