Monday, 22 June 2015

Melbourne Cup Carnival Campaign Takes New Course

Flemington: The Playground of Racing Royalty
A shift to a new agency for the first time in more than a decade has seen the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) take a markedly different approach in its latest marketing campaign to attract visitors to the iconic Melbourne Cup Carnival. 

VRC Acting Chief Executive Julian Sullivan said the campaign captures the power of the rich narratives that already exist in the sport of kings.

“The new campaign is about welcoming people to Flemington; the treatment is a playful celebration of Flemington's traditions, history and other-worldly appeal, while highlighting that it belongs to everyone,” Mr Sullivan said.

“It focusses on the people that make racing at Flemington so special at a grassroots level, people like the strappers, Fashions on the Field entrants, gardeners, farriers, jockeys, trainers and the racegoers themselves.”

VRC Executive General Manager, Brand Marketing & International Development, Amanda Chase said the campaign is a deliberate departure from those that have come before it, and includes playful ways to engage the potential audiences through greater use of non-traditional media.

“Through our new direction we want to give people the chance to get close to the thoroughbred heroes of our sport, see them in action, and fall in love with racing through our storytelling.

“We are boldly saying 'Flemington is not just any racetrack', setting ourselves apart from our competitors to inspire our current customers and evoke a desire for others to join.

“Flemington is the custodian of the world's most vibrant racing carnival, but also provides opportunities to engage with our audiences year-round.

“We anticipate the new campaign will drive growth in attendance figures to the Melbourne Cup Carnival of between 5,000 and 10,000 over a two year period”, said Ms Chase.

A stunning portrait of Flemington's greatest assets—human, equine and physical—forms the campaign's hero image, supported by an emotive TV commercial showcasing the beauty of the thoroughbred, the exhilaration of racing, the journey towards the Carnival, and the joy of being a racegoer, VRC member, horse owner or Fashions on the Field contestant.

Emirates Melbourne Cup winners including Gai Waterhouse, Damien Oliver, Kerrin McEvoy and Michael Rodd feature in the campaign alongside fourth generation Cummings dynasty trainer, James, and numerous thoroughbreds with backdrops of Flemington's iconic lawns, rose gardens, grandstands, mounting yard arch and clock tower.

Flemington's longest serving employee, Keeper of the Roses Terry Freeman, farrier Mark Cummings, veteran racecaller Greg Miles, Myer Fashions on the Field contestants, fashion designer Dom Bagnato and milliner Melissa Jackson also participated in filming and photo shoots over the last six months and appear in the full suite of campaign materials.

Michael Knox, Managing Partner/Chief Creative Officer, Grey Melbourne, the advertising agency responsible for creating the new campaign said that it was a unique opportunity to develop ideas that will help drive more visitors and engagement with Flemington's Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“The campaign has presented Grey Melbourne with a unique opportunity to work on such an iconic brand and sporting event recognised by people all over Australia and throughout the world”

“We look forward to continuing to work with the VRC to further promote Australia's greatest social and sporting event to a wider audience attracting new visitors to Flemington” said Mr Knox.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival, highlighted by the $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup, is Australia's original major event. Celebrating the best of what Melbourne has to offer—food and wine, sport, business, social interaction and fashion—the Carnival attracts more than 325,000 racegoers to Flemington each year, injecting more than $360 million into the Victorian economy and more than $700 million nationally.

Tickets and hospitality options for the 2015 Melbourne Cup Carnival are on sale now at flemington.com.au.

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