Akron-Canton Airport Launches New Advertising Campaign

After an INTERVENTION, big airport user Punchy Clown finds CAK a better way to go®

GREEN, Ohio, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Akron-Canton Airport (CAK) and Punchy Clown's family are desperate for Punchy to get happy again.  Punchy has been caught up with the wrong crowd for too long (since 2003 actually). All of his traveling through big airports, the stress and the confusion, has taken a toll on him... and his family. It is time for an intervention!  Some might consider this an ordinary marketing campaign but this means more, oh so much more, to one lost soul. He needs help. To see if Punchy is ready to take this big step toward recovery and to feel happy again, visit www.akroncantonairport.com/intervention.  

The airport worked with Art Director/Copywriter team Dave Derby and Randy DeMuesy (Akron) and Authentic Films Studio (Cleveland) to create a video charting Punchy's road to recovery.  Like the popular A&E television show Intervention, the video opens a window on Punchy's life. It features his brother Karl (a former big airport user), his wife Emily (ok, she enabled his destructive behavior), Punchy's mom, his son Max and Counselor Dan, an expert in big airport anxiety and recovery.

"We want Punchy to know what a truly relaxing airport experience feels like," said Kristie Van Auken, senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer. "Lots of travelers in our region seem stuck, too, only using one airport, not taking advantage of the fact they have two airports. We hope that our commitment to offering what customers most appreciate: shorter lines, easy walks, lower fares and award-winning service will convince them -- like Punchy -- that CAK truly is a better way to go."

"Our punch clown character has long been a symbol of the beaten traveler and is now the symbol of the newly converted," states Dave Derby, owner of Derby Brand Advertising. "We wanted to create an emotional connection to help amplify that moment of happy discovery a lot of travelers feel when they first travel through CAK -- the documentary style (Intervention) was the prefect approach. And Authentic Films did a great job of bringing it (and Punchy) to life."

"The evolution of Punchy's story was one of those very simple, great ideas," said Authentic Films director Kevin Kerwin.  "And this everyman we've come to know is a great conduit for satire as well as real human emotions.  After all, it's just horrible when your significant other or family member gets home from one of the big airports and is comatose for two days.  Everyone can relate to this experience. Working on this campaign with Akron-Canton Airport, Derby Brand Advertising, and some very talented actors was just as much fun as you might imagine when you watch the video and the spots. We all had a hard time not laughing while shooting."  

To promote the video, six :15 teaser ads will also hit TV stations and popular web sites in Northeast Ohio including www.cleveland.com, http://www.fox8.com, www.newsnet5.com, and www.wkyc.com today. In addition, anyone who watches the video or visits the landing page could win a vacation for two to Orlando, courtesy of Traveline Travel.  The vacation package includes round trip airfare for two aboard AirTran Airways, two passes to visit the 'Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure/ Universal Studios, a full size rental car courtesy of National Rental Car and a three night stay at a hotel near Universal.

About Akron-Canton Airport

Akron-Canton Airport kicked off CAK 2018, its 10-year, $110-million Capital Improvement Plan in 2008. The extension and safety upgrade of Runway 5/23 will be complete in November of this year. Other projects include a new aircraft firefighting and rescue building and a federal inspection facility. Also, Akron-Canton Airport was awarded Best Experience on June 8, 2010 as part of the 2010 World Class Customer Service Awards presented by Smart Business. Keep up to date on all things CAK by visiting Social CAK – our comprehensive social media portal. Additional information including flight reservations, driving instructions, and relaxation station is available at www.akroncantonairport.com. Akron-Canton Airport a better way to go®.  

About Derby Brand Advertising and DeMuesy Creative Inc.

Dave Derby and Randy DeMuesy create the communications that create an affinity for your brand -- and motivate customers to respond. They do this by developing a long-term strategic positioning that will further build the value of your brand with each passing day at the same time they are creating the messages that will build the awareness and sales of your product or service right now. You can reach Dave at 330.760.1571 and Randy at 440.892.7633.

About Authentic Films

Authentic Films is a film and commercial production company in Cleveland. Kevin Kerwin and Kate O'Neil are the co-founders. Their latest feature, Running America, is now in select theaters, and their first award-winning comedy, Filmic Achievement, premiered at the Cleveland International Film Festival in 2005 and will be released this fall. Authentic Films has also received national awards for commercial production and is featured in national publications for production, including SHOOT Magazine, One Show, AdWeek, and the New York Times. Kevin Kerwin was featured in SHOOT magazine's 2009 Best New Directors Showcase. www.authenticfilms.net

SOURCE Akron - Canton Regional Airport