Promotional Spotlight: Pocono Record’s Custom Contests

Promotional Spotlight: Pocono Record’s Custom Contests

Who has the sweetest back-to-school photo? Who might win a brand-new generator? It could be you, if you are a Pocono Record reader. The Pocono Record, under the leadership of Stephanie Fairbanks, advertising sales manager for the publication, hosts a series of regular and custom contests throughout the year to keep readers eager and engaged. The enterprise programs that occur every year range from a back-to-school photo contest, and a salute to nurses to a readers’ choice and college hoops contests. The Record also develops custom contests for advertisers based on the sales needs and corresponding packages for the customer.

“There really is something for everyone,” says Fairbanks, “and that goes for the readers as well as the advertisers.” Fairbanks relates that the sponsors vary greatly by contest, and the multitude of contest subjects allows for advertisers to find their niche. The back-to-school contest is regularly sponsored by a local grocery store and daycare center, while the salute to nurses contest is sponsored by St. Luke’s Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono and the nurses’ union (JNESO). The enterprise contest sponsors receive a sales bundle that includes print and digital ads that will target their most desired prospects. They also receive valuable data submitted by the entrants during the contest.

Custom advertiser contests are offered to advertisers with a minimum spend of $1,500 and a specific need for the type of engagement the contests offer. These custom contests include prizes that range from catering packages from a local barbecue shop, to a snowblower from a local hardware store. Their promotion includes print and digital ads, as well as social media posts and email campaigns.

Fairbanks says the best part of the contests is the involvement and feedback from the Record’s readership. The reception of the readers has been outstanding not only in terms of interest and participation, but also in the value they feel the paper is bringing to them and their community. Fairbanks recalls a widow who was the winner of a new generator last year, “She sent us a thank you card that starts, ’I cannot begin to thank you enough…’” It is obvious that the Record team makes an impact with their readers. “It warms the heart and fills my cup,” says Fairbanks, “that’s really why we do it.”

For additional information, please contact Stephanie Fairbanks at 570-460-0316 or sfairbanks@poconorecord.com.