Direct Marketing & Digital Marketing Agency - Ashley Bolser Agency

News From January 2008

Celebrations for Barker and Stonehouse

2006 sees Barker and Stonehouse celebrating 60 years of great furniture. The celebrations include 3 anniversary parties held at all 7 stores during March, where attendees can preview the new spring range and take advantage of lots of great offers.

To drive existing customers and enquirers to the event, a 60th Anniversary Pack was created by The Ashley Bolser Agency (ABA) in conjunction with Cool Blue, offering them the chance to win a diamond worth over £4,000. In addition a number of incentives were developed to encourage recipients to attend an event, using the personalised invitation they received in the mailing to maximise campaign measurement; a free limited edition mug, every 60th guest with an invite wins Roberts DAB digital radio worth £150 and save 19.46% on all purchases. The creative concept emphasised that Barker and Stonehouse is still a family run business and that many things have changed over the last 60 years but B&S remains. Cool Blue (PR Agency) developed the feel for the anniversary celebrations and designed the product brochure that sits within the pack.

Kathryn Muir, Account Director at ABA, emphasised the importance of making relevant attractive offers to encourage attendance. ‘A furniture purchase is often a large one and as such the decision making process can be a lengthy one. By encouraging attendance to the event with a number of great offers, the benefits are two-fold; prospects come through the door, giving B&S a face to face opportunity to sell their products and by giving the attendee a gift they feel more obliged to give something back i.e. make a purchase.’

But what does Barker and Stonehouse’s Managing Director James Barker have to say? ‘Once again ABA have exceeded my expectations. They came up with some great promotional ideas and have designed a fantastic pack, which I am certain will get people through the door to help us celebrate our 60th anniversary in style.’

Posted by Richard Carter on 1st January 2008