2009-2010 VisitNC.com Partner Opportunities
In January 2009, the Division launched the new VisitNC.com website boasting best practices in technology, search, information categorization and travel-planning functionality. With record traffic growth in 2007 and 2008, VisitNC.com continues to stay true to its mission of being the best travel-planning website for consumers.
The new site makes it easy for visitors to plan a visit to North Carolina with a completely new style of navigation and content organization. VisitNC.com offers a variety of online, cooperative programs providing in-state travel partners cost-effective exposure to millions of travelers. Partner programs continue to be available for industry partners in 2009 including:
- Display Advertising
- Virtual Rack Brochures
- Feature Event Listings
- Powered By: VisitNC.com (data)
- Powered By: VisitNC.com (events)
- Sweepstakes
- Video & Video Sponsorship
- Travel Offers/Travel Packages
Display Advertising
Participation in the VisitNC.com display advertising program is available on an annual, semi-annual and quarterly basis.
Display ads on VisitNC.com are square, 250 x 250 pixels, static ads. There are two options available for display advertising. The first option is advertising within a specific Journey. A “Journey” is a collection of stories, pictures, videos and information based on theme, activity or geographical location. Advertising within a Journey will place your ad on pages with content relevant to your message. Only one partner ad will display for each rendering of a page within a Journey.
The second option available is advertising on the less relevant but highly visited Product Pages, such as; Order Travel Publications, Virtual Brochure downloads, Itinerary downloads, Subscriptions, Resources, Videos and Travel Offers (soon to come). Each page view within a Product page contains two ad slots. Two partner ads will display for each rendering of a Product page.
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Inquiry Section |
Collections |
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Year |
$11,500 |
$3,000 |
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6-Months |
$7,000 |
$1,500 |
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3-Months |
$5,000 |
$750 |
To maintain the value of the VisitNC.com partner programs, a limited number of display advertising positions will be available to partners on a first-come, first-served basis. Partners will receive monthly reports detailing the activity of their display advertising program.
 Display Advertising Order Form
Virtual Rack Brochures (Available As Downloads)
The VisitNC.com Virtual Rack Brochure program gives industry partners the ability to expand the distribution of their printed rack brochures beyond traditional boundaries. Brochures are offered via the Brochure Download page and, as added value, are also positioned strategically within Journeys, offering multiple opportunities to instantly download North Carolina travel information.
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Virtual Brochure Program |
| Year |
$900 |
| 6-Months |
$550 |
| 3-Months |
$300 |
To participate in this popular program, partner brochures must be easy for site visitors to download and print. Materials will be reviewed by the VisitNC.com team prior to activation.
Virtual Brochure Order Form
Featured Event Listing Program
On VisitNC.com, Featured Event Listings for upcoming events and festivals are available to tourism industry partners for paid advertising placement. The opportunity to provide site visitors timely event information in prominent positions has made this program one of the most popular and cost-effective for partners.
Featured Event Listings consist of a photo, a detailed description of the event, a phone number, address, a map with “get directions” functionality and a link to the event website. Featured Events are highlighted on the home page of VisitNC.com under the calendar, on the Calendar Search page and within the individual Journey pages.
Listings are available in 30-day increments at a cost of $150 per event, or customized programs can be developed.
Featured Event Order Form
Powered By: VisitNC.com
This program offers real-time, relevant data from VisitNC.com to partner websites for those who wish to offer tourism data easily, without additional data entry. By simply adding a link to an existing site, search will open in a daughter window or as a new link.
The VisitNC.com database provides extensive value not only to the Division, but also to its partners across the state. This program offers two levels of data sharing: full package (accommodations, attractions and events) and an events-only package (soon to come). Data offered to partners is determined based on geographical areas and is for tourism entities only.
Program fees include an initial set-up fee of $2,500 with a monthly service fee to be determined based on geography and total number of database entries.
Sweepstakes
In 2008, VisitNC.com collaborated with 14 North Carolina destinations to offer sweepstakes prize packages to interested visitors. Due to the success of this program, the Division will continue to offer one partner-specific sweepstakes promotion per month on VisitNC.com. Participants receive brand exposure with compelling copy describing the selected destination on the primary sweepstakes page. Partners also receive qualified leads from visitors requesting additional partner information as well as additional exposure via graphical ads that link from the “Thank you for entering” page directly to their website.
Cost for a 30-day sweepstakes is $3,000 plus the travel prize package.
Sweepstakes prize value should be between $2,500 - $4,500. Accommodations for a minimum of two nights must also be part of the package, as well as two or more major local attractions and/or dinners to promote your area. Sweepstakes partners are responsible for securing the prize package from their local partners.
VisitNC.com will host the program, develop the design and copy, manage and promote the sweepstakes, provide leads on a weekly basis, plus provide wrap-up reporting upon conclusion of the sweeps.
Video & Video Sponsorship
Partners have the opportunity to sponsor select Division videos that are placed strategically throughout VisitNC.com. Partners can also create and/or sponsor their own custom video.
Sponsorship of Existing Videos – VisitNC.com offers sponsorship of an existing short-format video currently running on the site. Partners will be highlighted with descriptive copy about the video subject and the sponsor that includes logo and direct links to the sponsor’s website. The partner will also receive a custom billboard ad presented after the video runs. The current list of videos available for billboard sponsorship is available upon request. Cost for billboard sponsorship of an existing short-format Division video is $1,000 for one year.
Video Short Format – VisitNC.com offers video production for any attraction, event or activity that meets the Division’s Listing guidelines. Ideal run time for a segment is 90 seconds and the focus will be to attract visitors to North Carolina and your destination or property. This opportunity will result in an online-quality video at low production costs. Partners will also receive additional exposure on VisitNC.com as the video will be positioned within relevant Journeys. The Division and partner will share ownership and rights to the video. Cost for development, production, editing and hosting on VisitNC.com is $4,500 for one year.
Sponsorship of Feature Videos
A select number of long-format, feature videos will be produced by Journal Communications for VisitNC.com and sponsorships of these videos will be available. These videos will run longer than the short format, entertainment news style video, and will often encompass numerous locations in an effort to ‘tell a story.”
Sponsorship of these features includes a headline, 100 words of copy, a logo and URL to appear below the video while it plays. Additionally, feature videos will receive a pre-roll promoting the sponsor. Cost of sponsorship is $6,500 annually.
Travel Offers/ Travel Packages (Summer 2009/2010)
Designed to promote North Carolina travel offers, discounts and packages to interested visitors, this program will be offered from the homepage. Sign up will be available through a simple online form. Postings of new offers will be made weekly. Cost is $500 for a 60-day posting.
For questions about any of these VisitNC.com partner programs, contact:
Nina Holbrook, LKM
nholbrook@lkmideas.com
704-364-8969
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