WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., April 16, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TMPG, Inc. today announced another major expansion of its Destination Events Division, which offers clients turnkey travel promotions designed to 'supercharge' their brands.
TMPG is the award-winning agency with a niche in developing and implementing non-traditional media promotions for clients that include Kraft, American Express, BMW, Sara Lee, DISH Network and others.
Mike Valentino, TMPG's chief executive, says that consumers are no longer satisfied with promotions that merely offer trips to Orlando, LA or Las Vegas to sit in the sun, play golf or attend a concert. "But, if you include the opportunity to have lunch with Rachael Ray, drinks with Steve Young, catch passes from Jim Kelly, race around the BMW test track in a new M5 with your favorite DJ or have an intimate backstage chat with Aly & AJ, you've got an experience that money can't buy," he said, citing examples of recent TMPG programs.
"These are the kinds of 360 degree experiences that give participants 'bragging rights' with their friends and neighbors... and part of that bragging will include the client's brand. And, by leveraging the events for promotional exposure, we supercharge the brand, make it Pop, and put it out in front of the competition," Valentino says.
In addition to designing and constructing the events, TMPG will often use non-traditional radio to jump start the promotion. "We do stand-alone events, but leveraging these unique experiences for huge promotional exposure is really our core business," Valentino says. "Instead of using radio for paid spots, we'll get a popular DJ to talk about the event in a way that sounds more like a personal point of view than a paid advertisement. And, we often involve the DJs in the events as participants, which makes them even more passionate about their endorsements."
Valentino also points out that TMPG takes care of all of the planning, negotiation and execution of these multi-dimensional programs -- from securing celebrity talent and unique venues to prize-winner fulfillment and destination management.
"We take care of the heavy lifting so clients can reap the benefits without straining their internal resources," he said.
The company recently announced the appointment of Kimberly Cassidy, Senior Account Supervisor, to oversee the agency's expanded travel and event initiatives. "Since joining TMPG two and a half years ago, Kim has worked with all of our key accounts and has been instrumental in planning and executing these big event-driven promotions," according to Valentino. "She will help ensure that TMPG continues to push the envelope in delivering unique experiential promotions that will truly set our clients apart from the competition."