31. October 2007 by DSJC.
As far as I’m concerned Andrew Potvin, supervisor of VIP tours and guest relations at Six flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., is a Magic PR Man. Now, I know that he probably isn’t even part of the marketing department for the organization, but thanks to his idea and the backing of the organization, he gives them good PR.
For roller coaster enthusiasts in Southern California, Six Flags Magic Mountain is the place to go. Thankfully, the Six Flags organization recently decided not to sell the property to a home builder, so, for now we can count on having all those fabulous coasters available for our enjoyment. Last weekend, my family enjoyed the ultimate experience there, and I was treated to witnessing great PR & marketing in the process. Anyone in the theme parks industry could learn a little something about good customer service and PR from this post.
This story actually starts in August when we visited the park for the first time as a family. Our youngest was finally tall enough to get on any ride in the park, so off we went with dreams of riding dozens of coasters that would thrill us. Of course, reality is that park goers spend as much or more time waiting in lines than they do on the rides, especially on a summer day when the majority of kids are out of school, and people are on vacation. That was our experience that hot August day; we rode four roller coasters and played just a handful each of the carnival and arcade games, because we spent most our money on the concessions, especially after spending about $100 for parking and to get in the front gates even with the two-for-one Coke can promotion.
So we waited in lines. On one line—for Goliath—we just reached the front and were getting ready to get in our front-row seats when a family stepped in from the other side of the loading dock, got into the seats and whisked off on the ride. What a bummer. We had to know what was up, but no one was offering up any information. So, we asked the ride operator once we got on. He told us that they were a VIP group taking a tour of the park. We immediately decided we had to get in on that! That is the Magic Mountain VIP Tour package, and, thanks to the amazing Andrew, it’s a pilot program that launched in July 2007. Of course, it’s not an entirely new idea; I recall purchasing a VIP tour package for my family at the San Diego Zoo several years ago. We loved it; we got to see giraffes and a rhino up close, really close, and we got to hold an armadillo!
But, honestly, that didn’t compare to back-to-back-to-back rides (no waiting) on some of the best roller coasters around, plus all-you-can-eat food (Johnny Rockets, Panda Express, the park’s Moose Lodge Restaurant) and beverages and snacks (caramel apples, cotton candy, Dippin’ Dots and Cold Stone Creamery). But wait; there’s more! We also enjoyed never ending arcade games and other attractions. I won a Nintendo DS Lite for my daughter after about 100 tries on one of the arcade games. What a day!
So, what about Andrew, the Magic PR Man? Well, he was terrific as a guide. What’s even better, he was terrific as an ambassador for the park. Every time we got on a ride in front of others who had waited on line, he went to them, said a few words, and handed them his card. To a person, every one of them relaxed, nodded, smiled. I don’t know what exactly he said, but he managed to turn tense people into relaxed people and possibly new VIP tour customers. I know this, because a few of them asked us about how the tour was going and how they could sign up – this while we were waiting for the ride operators to clear the ride for take off.
Explain the situation. Communicate the details. Provide a contact for follow-up. That sounds like PR to me, and in Andrew’s case it’s good PR. That’s why he’s the Magic PR Man.
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23. October 2007 by DSJC.
We had been anticipating the day for many weeks—Friday, October 19, 2007. It was the day
Adam, his uncle and grandfather participated in this milestone event along with Dave and Bob Prizio, all of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Dave Prizio and his wife, Kathy, of Prizio Construction in Costa Mesa, committed $50,000 in service that covered the bridge abutments for the placement. The Schmid Family of Santa Ana, donated $250,000 to purchase the bridge; that’s why it’s the Schmid Family Pedestrian Bridge. It was installed via a 500-ton crane that placed it into its new permanent location.
These activities make for great images, the kinds of images that we all love to see, read and hear about in our daily papers on the morning news.
Orange County’s KDOC-TV agreed that these would be great images and that it is a good story. They sent a reporter to document the event. And, I must hand it to the reporter. He braved a hot morning and passed through dozens of police officers in training (lights flashing and mock arrests being made at various locations along the only road leading to the Outdoor Education Center site), and drove his car up a steep dirt hill (past a sign that read, “No Cars”) to capture it all.
Adam, a 4th grader and Webelo Scout from Pack 301, ended the day by saying into KDOC’s camera, “I just want to thank all the people who made this possible.”
“Bravo!” I said. I could hardly wait to see the coverage on Monday morning (today).
But the story didn’t run.
Late Sunday evening, someone allegedly lit a fire in Santiago Canyon (ironically, not far from the Outdoor Education Center), and the gusting Santa Ana winds whipped that fire up and quickly spread it toward and into Irvine. It was one of many fires to erupt here in Southern California on Sunday. Of course, and rightfully, the fires dominated the news. Governor Schwarzenegger declared the entire area a disaster area. Firefighters fought into and through the night to keep people and homes safe. “Bravo!” I say (to the bravery of our firefighters).
I may be disappointed at not seeing Adam’s and the Outdoor Education
So, in case I’ve peaked your interest, here’s my report on the event as I imagine it might have been reported. Enjoy.
Webelo Leads the Pack
Orange, Calif. — Adam Wyatt of Costa Mesa, a 4th grader and Webelo Scout from Pack 301, played an important role last Friday, October 19, when he assisted in the placement of the Schmid Family Pedestrian Bridge at the Outdoor Education Center in Orange (adjacent to Irvine Regional Park). The son and grandson of Eagle Scouts (his grandfather is Mike Harrison, a volunteer at the Outdoor Education Center), Adam participated in this milestone event along with his uncle, Chet Harrison, and Dave and Bob Prizio, all of whom achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Dave and Kathy Prizio of Prizio Construction in Costa Mesa, committed $50,000 in service that covered the bridge abutments for the placement. The Schmid Family of Santa Ana, donated $250,000 to purchase the bridge. The bridge was installed via a 500-ton crane that placed it into its new permanent location.
Key features of the bridge include:
Christine Kirk, director of the Outdoor Education Center, was there to oversee the installation. She accompanied Adam across the bridge in an inaugural walk that marked this important construction milestone for the center. Wyatt got to run the 500 ton crane after they set the bridge in place. He also cut the ceremonial ribbon and was first across the bridge accompanied by two teenage girls from the Boy Scouts Venture program.
When asked if there was anything he would like to say about the day’s event, Wyatt said, “I just want to thank all the people who made this possible.”
About the Outdoor Education Center
The Outdoor Education Center is currently under construction as a one-of-a-kind outdoor learning facility with three unique camps—Astronomy Camp, Ranch Camp and Mining Camp—designed to provide local youth the opportunity to learn about the Southern California natural environment through first-hand wilderness experiences above the ground, at ground level and below the ground. Tucked into the hills above Irvine Regional Park, the Outdoor Education Center will open in spring 2008 to provide schools and youth organizations a local and more affordable venue for both overnight outdoor education and day trips at an up-to-date facility featuring many unique programming elements. For more information please see www.outdooreducationcenter.org.
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17. October 2007 by DSJC.
I sent the following quote out to my Daily Quotes list yesterday:
“Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in advanced age, and if we do not plant it while young, it will give us no shade when we grow old.” - Phillip Chesterfield (1694 - 1773)
It’s good stuff – wise. And, it applies to life, here and now, especially in PR. With all that is going on with Social Media, many long-time PR pros are missing the “good old days” of huge trade shows like Comdex, going to media parties (and having dozens of editors to pitch). An associate of mine said as much yesterday.
My friend’s statement is a comment on how PR and marketing communications as a whole is changing or maybe expanding, and, for those people who continually educate and re-educate themselves, it’s an exciting time. For those who haven’t kept up with the changes or who are working with clients that haven’t, it’s more of a struggle.
I personally like the more one-on-one nature of blogging AND reaching out to those editors and reporters who are still out there. I’ve always endorsed sharing customer stories. It’s a good time for me. I’m learning everything I can now. Not to oversimplify, but it’s a matter or changing one’s mindset from “pitching” to “sharing.”
Knowledge is it. To reference another quote, “Knowledge is power.” Ramp up on and USE the new technologies to gain knowledge. These days it’s a mobile shelter that gives us shade even as we grow old.
DSJC.
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9. October 2007 by DSJC.
For years now, I have been in the practice of emailing a daily wisdom or inspirational quote to my family, friends and colleagues. I’ve come to be identified somewhat with or by my daily quotes, and I personally enjoy plucking a little wisdom from them each day. Yesterday’s quote was:
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own,” attributed to Benjamin Disraeli (1804 - 1881).
This quote is very appropriate for my life right now. The Breast Cancer Wellness magazine featuring my debut as assistant editor came out just this month – Fall 2007. In it, I profiled three amazing, inspirational breast cancer survivors, each of whom shared their stories to the enrichment of us all. I write these in part to be a breast cancer awareness advocate.
But, I get so much from them, too. Each lady, in her own way, essentially came back to me after seeing her story published to say, “Wow, I didn’t realize that I was doing so much!” I love that I’ve helped them see, in some small way, how amazing they are. Like the quote, I am sharing my writing ability and my own cancer experiences in helping these people share their stories and, in the process, helping them find their riches. How awesome is that?
It occurs to me that this is in the spirit of blogging, too, especially with regard to marketing and public relations – that idea of sharing what we know, sharing our riches. Sure, some of us do it to show what we know, but we’re also helping each other. It’s a win-win for us all. Again, I say, how awesome is that!
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1. October 2007 by DSJC.
The St. Conti Communicator is a blog by me, Donna St. Jean Conti, APR, public relations practitioner, writer and breast cancer awareness advocate.
What you’ll find here are musings on the state of marketing communications, public relations, freelance writing and speaking sprinkled in with posts about my passions - The Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine & breast cancer awareness (wellness in general) and teaching our children about the environment, plus global warming and peak oil. Wide-ranging, I know, but we all have our complexities.
Please join the conversation.
DSJC.
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