351: How Branded Entertainment Can Transform Destination Marketing: A Special Bonus Episode Featuring Destination Discourse
Nov 15, 2024
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Stuart Butler, CMO of Visit Myrtle Beach and co-host of Destination Discourse, shares insights on the evolving world of destination marketing. He emphasizes the transformative power of branded entertainment and effective storytelling for Destination Management Organizations. With examples from Myrtle Beach, he highlights innovative campaigns like 'Traveling the Spectrum' that promote inclusivity for families with autistic members. The conversation also dives into the balance between immediate marketing gains and long-term brand sustainability.
Branded entertainment encourages DMOs to prioritize storytelling over traditional advertising, enhancing emotional connections with travelers for effective engagement.
Constructive disagreement among marketing professionals fosters innovation and adaptive strategies in the evolving landscape of destination marketing.
Unique marketing strategies, like Greenville's nostalgic Home Alone experience, can attract visitors during slow seasons and encourage creative approaches in advertising.
Deep dives
Importance of Healthy Discourse in Destination Marketing
Engaging in healthy discourse within the destination marketing industry is essential for growth and improvement. Discussions that incorporate differing viewpoints can help marketing professionals refine their strategies and understand various perspectives. Emphasizing the value of constructive disagreement brings forth innovation and smarter decision-making. As individuals in the industry challenge each other’s ideas, the collective insight gained can lead to more effective destination marketing approaches.
Branded Entertainment as the Future of Destination Marketing
Branded entertainment represents a significant evolution in destination marketing, prioritizing storytelling over traditional advertising. This approach focuses on creating valuable content that resonates with audiences, ultimately establishing meaningful connections and encouraging brand loyalty. An effective branded entertainment strategy can harness existing narratives and experiences, transforming destinations into attractive options for travelers. By appealing to emotions and building narratives, destinations can better capture the attention of potential visitors.
Case Study: Home Alone Experience in Greenville
The Home Alone experience in Greenville, South Carolina, highlights the power of unique marketing strategies that leverage nostalgia and creativity. By offering packages that include movie screenings and themed activities, the city successfully attracted visitors during a typically slow season. This innovative approach not only filled hotel rooms but also sparked media interest, reinforcing Greenville as a viable holiday destination. Such creative campaigns can inspire other destinations to think outside traditional marketing methods and develop memorable experiences.
Creating Long-term Value Through Audience Engagement
Investing in branded entertainment can produce long-term benefits for destinations by building an engaged audience. By developing meaningful content that reflects the values of the target demographic, DMOs can cultivate a community that actively promotes the destination. This form of storytelling enhances emotional connections and encourages traveler advocacy, driving repeat visits. Ultimately, strong audience engagement translates into a sustainable marketing model that benefits both the destination and its visitors.
The Power of Storytelling in Destination Marketing
Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of destination marketing that can reshape perceptions and enhance visitor experiences. By focusing on authentic narratives that reflect the lives of travelers, DMOs can position themselves as empathetic guides rather than just advertisers. Successful storytelling resonates with audiences by offering relatable content that informs and entertains while subtly encouraging destination exploration. This shift in perspective allows destinations to transcend traditional marketing tactics, forging deeper connections with potential visitors.
Today’s episode of The Destination Marketing Podcast continues our collaboration with Destination Discourse, a podcast recently launched by Adam along with Stuart Butler, the CMO of Visit Myrtle Beach.
The second episode of Destination Discourse is a deep dive into branded entertainment. They emphasize the need for DMOs to adapt to the changing advertising landscape, especially with the rising costs of paid media. Later in the episode, Stuart pulls from his experience with Visit Myrtle Beach and touches on the impact that branded content like Traveling the Spectrum and Splish Splash Squawk has had on his organization and Myrtle Beach.
To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit www.thedmpn.com. If you are interested in joining the network, please email adam@relicagency.com.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode