Publicity-Grabbing Gimmicks

What sells a program?

Standard publicity such as newspaper articles, radio spots or posters often gets your message across to your audience, but sometimes promotion requires a little extra effort and creativity to sell the audience on your program. A publicity gimmick is a promotion technique which focuses on the unique or the absurd to attract attention and create interest in the program.

The following will describe a few publicity gimmicks you may use to enhance your publicity campaign. Remember, you may be as open-minded and creative as the law permits!

• Bumper stickers spread the word. Print what you want to say and other people (and their cars) will advertise you.
• Wear a button. It will talk for you
• Pass out information about your program in a costume. People won't forget you or your program.
• Book covers are great ways to advertise. Make sure you choose colors and designs that are pleasing to the eye.
• Cafeteria goers are a captive audience for table tents
• Printed bookmarks help advertise your program and serve a useful purpose.
• Attractive banners help sell your program.
• Make your posters and flyers noteworthy. Cut them in different shapes and hang them in unique areas.
• Staple free tickets to candy and chips in vending machines, Work this out with machine vendors.
• Put people in sandwich board or boxes to create walking billboards
• Bright colors and photographs on posters make them stand out in the crowd.
• Fortune cookies with program information would spread the word
• Cartoons in newspaper ads draw attention
• A catchy slogan or logo will be remembered.
• Assess people's needs and publicize your program to meet those needs. Give them something to identify.
• Paint your dorm or car windows.
• Print balloons and watch your ideas expand.
• Make paper hats with publicity printed on them.
• Rent a billboard and paint your information, life size.

You are limited only by your imagination, so get your group together and brainstorm! Your prgrams will come to life by using publicity gimmicks that focus on the theme. THe best programs around can go unnoticed if the proper publicity isn't used.

remember to get permission from appropriate University offices or departments for your promotional gimmick. For assistance in developing your special promotion, call 882-3780 Leader Tips 1/90. For more information on organizational and personal development skills or University policies regarding organizations, stop by or call the Governments and Activities Office, AO22 Brady Commons, Universiy of Missouri - Columbia, 882-3780