|
Chicago Ave. Firehouse, Home
of Engine Co. 98
100th Anniversary Celebration
Challenge
Creative Consortium Ltd. (CC) was asked to publicize the 100th
anniversary celebration of the still-active Chicago Avenue Firehouse
on a limited budget.
Using recent event files as a
guide, Creative Consortium was quickly able to put together a
targeted media list of reporters and calendar listing editors
of papers throughout greater Chicago. Calendar listings were
submitted during the weeks leading up to the event but CC wanted
to secure at least one article placement in a Chicago publication.
In light of the recent attention
and appreciation given to firefighters, CC thought this event
could be an easy sell but wanted to give some life to the story
by highlighting some of the individual firefighters and the history
of the Firehouse itself.
Tactics
In order to best tell
the Firehouse story, Creative Consortium identified the publications
and other media outlets that would be most appropriate. Calendar
listings were submitted to the media that publish a community
calendar, and the release was sent to all pertinent reporters
at local TV stations and print publications. Story pitches were
made to writers who would likely be interested in the background
of the Firehouse and its firefighters.
Results
Over 1,000 people attended the event, which surpassed many expectations
of the Firehouse board members. Several television stations responded
to the call and captured the fun-filled afternoon. Children donned
plastic firefighter hats, took rides on Mrs. O'Leary's fire truck
and learned about fire safety. Young and old enjoyed tours of
the firehouse, an award presentation with local dignitaries,
and food on what turned out to be a wonderful Fall day.
Pre-event coverage:
 Cover article of Skyline newspapers
with color photo Free for All calendar listing in Chicago
Tribune
Note: not all pre-event coverage
could be collected because the client did not use a clipping
service
Day-of-event coverage:
WLS-TV
WGN-TV
WMAQ-TV
Post-event coverage:
Article with several color photos
in Q Section of Chicago Tribune
|
