New "DO AC" TV Ad Spotlights Real Visitors And Their Stories

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Just for you Philly, the Atlantic City Alliance launches its annual fall television campaign to boost leisure tourism. Replacing the TV anthem "Let It Rock" (still seen in New York and Baltimore), there is a new twist for the "DO AC" campaign: real visitors filmed in AC telling their stories on why they love their "AC".

Four new "DO AC" television spots will begin airing later this week on all Greater Philadelphia DMA television stations and on Comcast Cable networks such as Bravo. More visitor stories—all taped in AC in September—will appear online at www.doatlanticity.com and on the DO AC social media channels. No one was scripted.

Visitors featured in the TV spots hail primarily from Philadelphia but also include people from Pittsburgh, Baltimore and New York. All were interviewed during their September visit to the beaches, the Boardwalk, shops and restaurants.

While the power of television taps into the emotional appeal that Philadelphians have in particular for Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Alliance will use newspaper, magazine and radio "DO AC" ads to focus on the reasons to visit Atlantic City this fall—from events, to midweek hotel deals, to shopping and travel promotions, including the new Toll Free Tuesdays throughout the month of October.

The TV campaigns runs through October 31 with continued advertising through December.

View all four versions of the ad here.

While the Alliance has advertised each fall, this year the Greater Philadelphia campaign has a new challenge: to balance the news coverage over the summer of the casino closings (though many experts predicted the reduction in gaming capacity) with the reality of a very busy destination offering a wide variety of activities in addition to gaming in AC's hotels, restaurants and shows.

This past summer, casino hotel and spas report around 95% occupancy and according to Smith Travel Research, Atlantic City saw an increase in occupancy and average daily rate this summer compared to last year. While the resort is still counting the numbers for summer, several hotels, restaurants and other retailers are reporting a strong summer. Annually, more than 25 million visitors come to Atlantic City.

The new television strategy was born from consumer market research and a video research project leading into Labor Day--just as two casinos were set to close. The Atlantic City Alliance filmed more than 200 hours and hundreds of random visitors of all ages and backgrounds to find out new information on what was prompting their visit. Havas, a New York based advertising agency, turned that research into a new TV campaign.

Also announced today:

• I LOVE AC social media contest. The call-to-action on the TV commercials asks viewers, "How will you DOAC?" and through social media, ACA will crowd source more stories. Since pictures are worth a thousand words, visitors, locals and AC lovers can submit photos and stories via the DO AC Facebook page, Twitter and on Instagram. Throughout the October social media promotion, the ACA will share eight "Only in Atlantic City Experiences" with AC fans and followers who will then be asked to tweet, post and share their new AC overnight adventure. Prizes include overnight accommodations along with a variety of non-gaming amenities including spa treatments, dining and nightlife experiences, and more!
  
  
• As a thank you to our loyal visitors and to encourage a new midweek visit, the four Tuesdays of October will be Toll-Free Tuesdays, which include fantastic hotel packages at Atlantic City's best hotels (see below) and free eastbound tolls at the Egg Harbor and Pleasantville toll plazas between noon-midnight. Drivers simply proceed as usual through the tolls either through the E-Z Pass or tollbooth lanes.
  
  
• Fall events in October including International Music Festival at Tropicana Casino & Resort (October 4), the DO AC Smoking Hot BBQ Championship (October 4-5) at the Golden Nugget, the Italian Fest at Golden Nugget (October 11-12), Atlantic City Comedy Festival at Boardwalk Hall (October 11-12), 2014 AmeriHealth NJ Atlantic City Marathon & Half Marathon (October 19), AC Cinefest – Downbeach Film Festival at Dante Hall Theater (October 24-26), Fall Classic Car Show at The Convention Center (October 24-25) and Tropicana Chocolate Week (October 26-November 1).

The Atlantic City Alliance spends $20 million annually on the "Do Anything, Do Everything, DO AC," marketing campaign initially launched in April 2012. The Alliance, privately funded by the casino industry, is responsible for marketing, image-building and citywide events like the two free beach concerts featuring Blake Shelton and Lady Antebellum.

About Atlantic City
From sandals to stilettos and foie gras to funnel cakes, Atlantic City offers something for everyone. Enjoy world-class entertainment, dining, shopping, gaming, relaxing on the beach and strolling the historic Boardwalk in the city created to escape the city. For more information visit www.doatlanticcity.com.

For destination photos and videos please visit www.doatlanticcity.com/mediaonline where dozens of new assets are available for download.

The Atlantic City Alliance was established in 2011 as a private, not-for-profit corporation whose primary mission is to develop and implement a full-scale, broad-based, multi-year marketing program for Atlantic City.

Click-to-tweet: Just for Philly, @visitAC's new "#DOAC" TV ad spotlights real visitors, real stories http://po.st/DOAC2014campaign 

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140929/148963

SOURCE Atlantic City Alliance