Centralia Downtown Association Late ‘Til 8 Campaign - Get Involved!
LATE TIL EIGHT SHOPPING DOWNTOWN THROUGH CHRISTMAS (LT 
RADIO ADVERTISING and CDA SUPPORT OPPORTUNITY
The Centralia Downtown Association has been actively organizing and securing advertising in support of the Shop Late Til Eight program that rolled out last week. Many merchants have committed to participate in the extended hours (nearly 40). The shopping program will be advertised jointly with the City of Centralia, which has committed approximately $4000 toward promoting the CDA and this program. The advertising will be mixed; some local radio spots (KELA/KMNT), print ads (Chronicle) and broader region radio spots (Mixx96). This demonstrates the City’s continued support of the downtown and the CDA as we grow and become more effective. It also presents an opportunity for the downtown merchants to take advantage of the initial momentum that the City’s ad campaign will create and show the City and our community that we are passionate about promoting our downtown.
The CDA has negotiated with KELA/KMNT for up to 80 additional radio ads that specifically promote the “Shop Late Till Eight” program. The first of these ads will begin airing tomorrow. We have set up the ads to allow for sponsorship, at a reasonable cost, by the downtown merchants and supporters of our downtown. A business, group, or individual can purchase one 30 second “Shop Downtown Late Til Eight” with a live announcement stating who the sponsor of that ad spot is. For example… The 30 second ad plays the pre-recorded announcement (see the ad text below) about the Friday night shopping immediately followed by “this message brought to you buy… BUSINESS, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER”.
The initial response to this type of campaign has been very favorable and provides a way for folks to both support the entire downtown shopping campaign as well as promote their own businesses. This is truly the essence of group marketing, everyone benefits from the increase in shopping and dining traffic while bearing only a small percentage of the expense!!
In addition to the advertising, the CDA has purchased a large “Shop Late Til Eight” banner that we hope will be hung on Main Street (at Cedar, by the tracks) early next week. The design and colors match the poster/fliers that are now hanging in the windows of the participating businesses. (They look good, too…)
Each ad sponsorship only costs $40. We will be able to raise $10 from every spot that a business sponsors, too. This extra money is tentatively lined up to be used to purchase even more advertising (like in the Olympian) the week before the last Friday in November. So, the more we raise, the better the ads! We want to purchase 80 of these ads that will air 14 times a week (during the day, and more on Thursdays) through the 21st of December. The City paid spots will begin airing next week.
Please contact Dan Henderson at dan@centraliadowntown.com OR 360-623-1338 for more information and to purchase your customized LT8 ad sponsorships or to commit your business to participate. (Remember, all businesses downtown can participate… from the viaduct on S. Tower to 3rd and N. Tower, Silver to Gold.)
We need commitments for the first 40 of these spots by this coming Friday, so, act fast!
“Downtown Centralia is open LATE ‘TIL EIGHT every Friday through Christmas. There is something for everyone; from unique antiques and collectibles to creative gifts, clothing and affordable, yet, delicious dining at nearly 40 cozy shops and eateries. Enjoy the festive lighting and historic charm with your downtown merchants every Friday until 8PM through Christmas. This message brought you by: Successful Business, 117 N. Tower, 555-1234”
The City of Centralia Police Department will be expanding it’s already excellent coverage of the downtown area during our evening shopping, dining and fun.
