Previous years’ festivals garnered significant media attention ranging from feature articles to morning live shots with local television stations. Marketing and Public Relations efforts increase as the festival continues to attract high-profile authors and becomes a save-the-date for book lovers.
- Conducted six-week ad campaign, with 17 ad insertions in the Winston-Salem Journal, two monthly ads in Piedmont Parent, one ad in monthly Smart Start publication, two ads in Forsyth Family magazine, one ad in Winston-Salem Junior League Informer and other targeted, special-interest publications.
- Comprehensive, multi-page article on BOOKMARKS 2009 in Winston-Salem Monthly September issue
- Feature article on Festival author/Illustrator team in Forsyth Family magazine
- Sent out general and author/subject specific press releases to Piedmont Triad media outlets and major newspapers, book clubs, etc. across the state.
- Feature articles published in five newspapers and tabloids across the state
- Listed on calendars of numerous state and regional media outlets, arts organizations, and their web sites. e.g. Our State, Southern Living, Go Triad, Relish, Charlotte Observer, and Yadkin Valley Living, North Carolina Arts Council, Visit Winston-Salem, Eventful, 336 Events, Southern Festivals, city and state Chambers of Commerce, and individual participating authors’ and publishers’ web sites.
- Piedmont Triad Time Warner Cable, as a TV media sponsor, produced and aired promotional spots and provided Little Bill character for Young Readers Central area.
- Appearance by festival principals and/or authors in extended segments on the local morning shows of national television network affiliates leading up to the festival
- Promotional spots and author interview aired on Triad NPR Affiliate, WFDD 88.5 FM, as a media sponsor.
- Produced and aired featured author’s sponsor spot on 1340/1400 AM, promoting author appearances
- Aired promotional spots on local cable television channel in local school system
- Included in Forsyth Public Library advertising and media coverage for 2009 BIG READ/On the Same Page program, sponsoring author appearance and Readers Theatre at BOOKMARKS
- Promotion of the festival by Downtown Partnership,
- Covered event on-site by area media, with follow-up articles and coverage.
- Shared festival information in numerous blogs prior to and following the festival.
BOOKMARKS 2009 PROMOTION
- Reconstructed BOOKMARKS web site: bookmarksbookfestival.org
- Enlisted social media including Twitter, blog, and Facebook.
- Created links to corporate sponsors, nonprofits, authors’ and publisher’s web sites.
- NC Arts Council streamed taped interviews and video of selected authors and attendees of the 2008 festival to promote the importance of literary festivals in their “Artful Traveler” series
- Distributed event flyers, programs and posters throughout the Triad and Triangle area.
- Conducted direct mail marketing campaign to promote festival and pre-festival discount membership, plus an attendance incentive drawing for books and tickets to next stand-alone event.
- Placed BOOKMARKS’ “Overview” and other festival materials in sponsor, exhibitor & publisher packets.
- Sent promotional email to various organizations including nonprofit, corporate and literary.
- Programming Partners promoted author involvement & the festival to their employees and public.
- In person publicity to independent schools, public schools and to home schools.
- Area participating colleges and universities promoted BOOKMARKS
- Conducted community outreach events via open houses, presentations and at downtown music concerts.
- Children’s author appeared in selected schools prior to the festival.
