Hard Rock Hotel Chicago: Ringo Starr's 68th Birthday

Strategy

• Link the Hard Rock brand to rock 'n' roll icon, Ringo Starr, as part of his 68th birthday wish of "Peace and Love" worldwide
• Secure media attention to enhance the visibility and credibility of Hard Rock Hotel Chicago (HRHC)

Creativity

• After learning Ringo would be in Chicago on his birthday (due to tour schedule) we proactively reached out to Ringo's management and persuaded them to celebrate at HRHC instead of Buckingham Fountain
• Alerted national and local media about Ringo's birthday party at the HRHC at noon on July 8, 2008
• Partnered with Perfect Peace Cafe & Bakery to provide Michigan Avenue foot traffic with "pieces of love" in celebration of Ringo's birthday, compliments of HRHC
• Encouraged pre-event radio coverage by dropping off Ringo/HRHC birthday cakes to local radio stations

Results

• Secured 76 unique stories and more than 130 total media placements across local, national and international print, online and broadcast outlets
• Ringo's message of "Peace and Love" reached more than 250 million readers, listeners and viewers worldwide
• Attending media included crews from CNN, CNN Larry King Live, FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS and WGN Superstation. In addition, the Associated Press, Reuters and UPI came to the event , as well as Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Red Eye and WBBM-AM