Titanic anniversary

No, I’m not clutching at straws. It’s just that I have the sort of mind (I’m afraid) that sees marketing ideas everywhere I turn so when I realized that April 15th is the one-hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, that seems like a marketing opportunity too.

The Titanic will be all over the TV, the internet and the news. It is a subject that has fascinated people ever since that fateful day. And although promotions featuring disasters aren’t generally advised – if at all – the fact that it was so long ago and the fact that it has been the subject of several films, makes it an acceptable basis for promotions if handled correctly. And let’s face it, so many people remain fascinated by the Titanic and its fate.

Oh, ideas? OK:

• The meals served in first class aboard the Titanic were quite simple fare compared to today. For example, Consommé Olga, Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce and Cucumbers, Cold Asparagus Vinaigrette and Chocolate & Vanilla Eclairs wouldn’t stretch your chef’s capabilities. Why not create a special menu for your restaurant or hotel?
• Or reproduce the entire  ten course dinner that was served to first class passengers just hours before the ship sank. [Note: The final dinner took place on the evening before the disaster - April 14th]
• Create special cocktails for ‘Titanic Week’ and give one dollar from the proceeds of each sale to the Coastguard or related charity of your choice. Your bartender can develop the cocktails with names such as Down in Steerage,  the White Star,  the Brandy Berg, the  Molly Brown, the Maiden Voyage  and so on
• Run a draw using a replica of the Titanic boarding pass
• Show the old movie, a Night to Remember
• In both a Night to Remember and the more recent Titanic an Irish jig scene is included. Hold an Irish dance!
• Produce a  small newspaper dated April 15th, 1912 with a Titanic headline. Make the rest of the copy your own, advertising your products and services. Scatter advertising from the time into the paper to add interest, plus trivia about the Titanic.
• What was going on in your town or area in 1912? Was there something going on that you can tie in? Maybe there’s a local history society that can help
• The Titanic sank in the later years of the Edwardian era.  If you have an event, ask people to come in Edwardian dress – or have your staff in Edwardian costume for the evening
• Institute Afternoon Tea in your lobby or dining room for the week. On the Titanic, first class passengers were served afternoon tea in Le Cafe Parisien and would have enjoyed scones with preserves and clotted cream, dainty sandwiches, eclairs and of course, Earl Grey tea. Provide piano music of the time
• There are Titanic buffs all over the world. Do you have one locally who would give a talk to your customers or guests?
• Hold an entertainment. Among the tunes believed to have been played on the Titanic are Alexander’s Rag Time Band, Shine on Harvest Moon, Oh You Beautiful Doll, Waiting for the Robert E. Lee, Lily of Laguna, In the Shadows, Songe d’automne, Nearer my God to Thee (probably incorrect but  thought to have been the last piece played before the ship went down)
• Hold a dinner at ‘The Captain’s Table’. Have your manager be ‘the captain’ and encourage guests to dress in evening attire. Have 1912 style entertainments. This could be a great charity event
• Similarly, hold a ‘dinner theater’ evening with members of your local amateur dramatic society playing characters (real and imaginary) from the Titanic
• Does your business have an Irish connection? Remember that the ship was built in Ireland and many of the passengers in steerage were Irish immigrants
• Hold a light-hearted trivia game with questions about the Titanic
• There were lots of myths and legends surrounding the ship. One was that the famous Hope Diamond went down with the ship. It didn’t. But a Hope Diamond event or gala would be a fantastic fundraiser. The diamond was a deep blue-violet color and the name for the record time set to cross the Atlantic by ship was called the Blue Riband. These facts put together suggest a fabulous jewelry and fashion show at your gala
• Ice, ice, ice … it was an iceberg that was the downfall of this ship. What does this suggest to you that can be fitted into promoting your business? Cocktails served over ice? Caviar served over ice? Ice cream? Ice skating? Ice sculpture? Think ice …
• Despite ‘women and children first’ it seems that fifty children perished. Hold a ’50′ event to get pledges in $5 increments for a children’s charity

You want more? Just get in touch