Manitou PR
Experience Curating

Service:
Public Relations
Client:
Manitou Pontoon Boats

Manitou PR Experience Curating

Service: Public Relations
Client: Manitou Pontoon Boats

Objective:

Generate authentic product awareness beyond traditional paid advertising channels for the new, next generation Manitou Explore and Cruise pontoon boat models in the fast-growing but crowded pontoon boat segment.

Strategy:

Create memorable, standout on-water experiences aboard the Manitou for relevant journalists and editors, creating earned newsworthy lifestyle stories centered around the product’s differentiating features and designs to ‘hook’ media and their audiences. Design each experience to compliment the specific media outlet, with every nuance of the story tying back to the product and features we wish to accentuate, all with the goal of gaining as many recreational boat consumer impressions as possible.

Tactics:

Design a series of creative and unforgettable journeys aboard the new Manitou pontoon models to showcase the specific characteristics of the boat and engine that differentiate it from competing manufacturers.

Create an outreach plan, identifying “great-fit” writers and editors in the marine, automotive, and lifestyle spaces to secure coverage, and planning/executing all aspects of travel, entertainment, and on-water activities.

Provide much more than a boat ride. Be the storytellers to create content that extends far beyond the product. Capture high-quality photos and video to supplement content.

Experiences:

Viewing a space-age rocket launch from a space-age pontoon boat

We hosted an editor from MotorBiscuit.com to view a nighttime launch of a SpaceX Falcon9 rocket in Cape Canaveral. Following a night run up the Indian River showing the innovative lighting, sound system, and performance of the ROTAX S outboard, we discussed the product placement over a dockside dinner, then watched the night sky turn to day aboard the Manitou as the fiery launch sent shockwaves across the water, for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A cruise among cruise ships

Port Canaveral has been classified as the busiest cruise port in the world next to Miami, and offers the chance to get up close to the giant ships from a private boat. We invited a writer from Lakeland Boating Magazine to join us for a tour of the port, aligning the luxury features of the Manitou with those of the cruise ships, and capturing breathtaking images of the Manitou juxtaposed with the gargantuan vessels.

Waterfront Christmas light viewing - Manitou Style

With an affluent canal community featuring glistening homes and boats each holiday season, we crafted a watery winter wonderland sunset cruise to view and enjoy the sparkling sights aboard the Manitou Explore. With holiday tunes, ergonomic lounge seats, and even Christmas cookies with hot chocolate, we set the stage for a cruise to remember that creatively highlighted all the things that make a Manitou one-of-a-kind.

Results:

Our strategy and tactics generated stories that went far beyond traditional boat reviews, providing increased impressions for new audiences and customers. By leveraging a lifestyle approach to the coverage, we helped create stories that inspired potential customers to imagine what they could do in a Manitou. Creating these unique experiences not only led to more valuable and viewed content, but allowed us to reach premium writers and outlets with more value for them as well.

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