PETER SHANKMAN

The “Harrah’s Loves New York” Take Over The Tower Event Wrap

I’m a bit tired… But… What a spectacular event. The models looked outstanding, thanks to the artists at Mario Ink, Fox News, Fox Business News, and several other media showed up, The models gave out over 3,000 keys, and in all, the client was thrilled. A successful event all the way around.

Definitely some lessons learned… It didn’t need to be three hours. We could have easily finished it in two. Not a big problem, but when you have hot women giving away free stuff, it’s never going to be a problem getting people to take it.
(AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh/ Harrah’s/Handout)
We secured a spectacular area to give stuff away, I’d done my homework earlier and walked the area. We wound up here – Note the open pedestrian block? It was perfect – We had cross pedestrian traffic on Broadway, as well as on Wall Street. Everywhere you went, people were walking into us and getting our keys. You couldn’t beat it.

View Larger Map
So my girls were right at that pedestrian street entrance on Wall and Broadway. Totally perfect. Rule from this: Do your homework – Don’t just look at a map – Walk the location. Makes it SO much better.

If you don’t have permits, the cops are going to come by and ask what you’re doing. Response? Tell them. Offer them whatever you’re giving away, smile, be nice, don’t put up a fight. End result?

Remember that once you start giving stuff away, people will just appear. It’s like teleportation. Free stuff Whoosh, thousands of people.

And even more people. Smile at all of them. And remember, when they’re getting free stuff, you can get them to do anything. “Stand next to these girls and wave! Give it away, and they shall come.

Make sure you get photos of the news media interviewing your client, (or your client’s models.)
Fox Business News Channel and Harrah\'s

Finally, when it’s over, get a little more local flavor, if you can…

And don’t forget to reward your models…

And finally, don’t forget to make sure you get a photo in there yourself!

I shot a bunch of video of the event, too. Might be a good chance to play with my new copy of Final Cut Pro, and see what I can’t create.

All in all, a great event. Congrats to all involved!

May 15th, 2008 02:59 PM
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Wow, what an amazing and productive event!!
It looks like this will be in Amazing PR Stunts Part Two!

Looking forward to speaking with you tomorrow.

Howard

May 15th, 2008 02:53 PM
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Looks like a great event!

He’s right, this is a great intersection, I live just two blocks away and am constantly pushing my way through tourists & Wall Street types. Unfort. couldn’t make it out of work today to get my own key :(

May 15th, 2008 02:36 PM
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Love the body painting!

May 15th, 2008 02:13 PM
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Wow! You are my HERO!

May 15th, 2008 03:14 PM
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You are so smart to have walked the route beforehand. I’m sure this helped you to visualize everything. I’d say treat yourself to a drink but I know you can’t do that.

Leah

May 15th, 2008 04:07 PM
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Awesome — you make Manhattan look like South Beach!

May 15th, 2008 04:27 PM
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Simply superb, Peter. Well, WELL done!! Just spectacular. Your imagination must be something to live with!! and I mean that in a good way.

May 15th, 2008 06:04 PM
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Pete! I’ll do a phone interview with them (the girls, in my apartment. Or a rep of Harrah’s. Whichever works) and plug it. I wanna go see Harrah’s someday. Hit me up

Jeff

May 16th, 2008 06:48 AM
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Looks like it was a great event with awesome results! Right on about walking the location – try it at different times of day to make sure you’ll get the maximum crowd/benefit. Nice work!

May 16th, 2008 10:26 AM
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So right about walking the location. And it applies to many professions. As a wedding photographer, I ALWAYS attend the rehearsal and check out the whole venue so I can stay one step ahead of the bride and groom. I am always amazed by how many so-called “professional” photographers just show up at a wedding and have no idea what is happening next and are constantly scrambling (and missing great shots they could – and should – have anticipated with a little pre-event legwork.

May 16th, 2008 02:47 PM
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Looks like a fantastic event. I agree, it’s very important to walk the location beforehand. However, so many omit that crucial step. Great work. I wish I had a Harrah’s key! I want to be one of the “cool kids.”

May 22nd, 2008 09:56 AM
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I’m new to the blog but I’m eating it up like an aardvark on chocolate covered ants. Great pic of yourself with the Harrah girls/fembots from Austin Powers. Looking forward to reading daily… Peace and hairgrease… Andy

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