PRESS RELEASE

THE LAUNCH OF HULL'S NEW ARENA - A MARKETING SUCCESS

• Paul Savage, Bonus Arena’s head of entertainment, marketing & sales will talk about the venue’s award-winning marketing campaigns
• He will share challenges and key learnings of promoting the £36m venue which opened this summer

Following the successful launch of the UK’s newest entertainment venue, the Bonus Arena, Paul Savage, the arena’s head of entertainment, marketing and sales will headline a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) event in Yorkshire. Paul will be discussing key learnings from the launch and the venue’s contribution to Hull’s local economy and City of Culture legacy.

Paul will discuss how marketing storytelling has helped to drive sales at the 3,500-capacity music and events venue and in turn, breathe and restore new life into the city.

Discussing the project’s success Paul said: “We’ve been open around three months and have run a number of successful campaigns which have really captured attention and resonated with people. Before we opened we had to test the entire venue, including the toilets, so ran a campaign called the Grand Flush. We needed 140 people to help flush the toilets – we had offers from 900.”

At the event Paul will reveal the arena’s Christmas marketing campaign and will talk about the challenges he has faced in his role, as well as the positive impact the venue is having on Hull’s local economy.

Paul, a former journalist and PR specialist, added: “We’ve thrown out the rulebook when it comes to marketing the arena. We use storytelling to create surprise and develop publicity.

“Our work isn’t just about selling out concerts – it’s about breaking down barriers and selling Hull as a destination of choice. And already, we’re surpassing expectations.”

Sally Steadman, chair of CIM Yorkshire, said: “In just a few months, the Bonus Arena has put Hull on the map. We are delighted Paul is speaking at the event to provide his expert advice on marketing an event and a venue.”

“Guests will also be given a free tour of the venue and there will be an opportunity to meet and network with local marketers to share ideas, knowledge and contacts.”

The event marketing challenge takes place at the Bonus Arena, Hull, on Tuesday 13 November.

It runs from 6-8pm and tickets are free for CIM members and studying members, £5 for students and £15 for non-members. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Visit https://www.cim.co.uk/event/93059/ for more information on the event and how  to book.

To join the CIM North marketing group, please click here: http://regions.cim.co.uk/North/home/ 

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Notes to editors

For media enquiries

For further information please contact the Chartered Institute of Marketing regional press office at Pelican Communications on jessica.beckett@pelicomms.co.uk or 01457 820807

For CIM enquiries

James Delves
CIM Head of PR and External Engagement
james.delves@cim.co.uk

Corinne Lavictoire 
PR Executive
corinne.lavictoire@cim.co.uk

About CIM

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the world’s leading marketing body, with over 30,000 members worldwide, of which there are over 3,000 Chartered Marketers. CIM’s mission is create marketing advantage for the benefit of professionals, business and society with a focus on export, data and skills. It believes marketing is the critical factor in driving long term organisational performance.

CIM provides members and organisations with five key benefits: 

• Partnership – CIM is a professional and organisational partner to support performance and career development
• Education – CIM allows individuals and businesses to continuously upskill
• Information – CIM keeps members up to date with the latest marketing thinking, and keeps organisations at the forefront of practices
• Connection – CIM provides access to services, expertise and peers
• Recognition – CIM is the global benchmark of professional competence

For more than 100 years, CIM has supported, represented and developed marketers, teams, leaders and the profession as a whole. There are 130 CIM study centres in 36 countries and exam centres in 132 countries worldwide. In the last year, over 7,500 people registered at over 230 UK CIM events. Find out more about CIM by visiting www.cim.co.uk.