Chocablog

Over the last few months we have been working with Visit Cheshire and Chester to develop their new customer focussed website. The new site had to work with a complex back end destination management system (DMS) and in the past the DMS had driven the customer journey. The new site not only works harmoniously with their DMS, the user will have a relevant, speedy and positive online experience, which means that their numbers for visitors, bookings, offers and newsletters should considerably increase. In addition we have created a distinctive brand look and feel which reflects the diversity of what Cheshire has to offer visitors.

The new site launched early January, you can see it here www.visitcheshire.com

Leading transport provider, National Express East Coast, have appointed Yorkshire based marketing agency Chocolate Communications to launch “escape”, their new online reward programme for frequent travellers. It is aimed at encouraging long-distance travellers to make greener travel choices and take the train rather than flying or driving, helping to reduce their environmental impact.

Chocolate have already created a completely new brand identity for the scheme and work is now in development on a comprehensive array of acquisition activity both online and offline which will help maximise visibility of the brand and drive customers to an exclusive “escape” area on the National Express website.

John Moss, Loyalty Programme Manager at National Express says; “’escape’ is a really exciting and valuable scheme for our customers and we wanted to ensure that it is communicated effectively. Key to this is innovative brand engagement and a strong creative marketing programme, both of which we feel that Chocolate have been able to deliver quickly and most importantly providing great value.”

‘escape’ went live on 1 Dec  and the campaign is now kicking off with on station and on board posters, leaflets and an e-marketing campaign to frequent travellers as well as online banners, all of which have been produced by Chocolate. The illustrative theme of Chocolate’s design will also be displayed as art work on the trains across the route.

Members of escape benefit from access to First Class lounges, free wine with meals, food and drink deals as well as an array of third party added value offers. They also get complimentary first class travel tickets, where the more they spend the more free travel they earn.

Since launch a week ago the campaign has already exceeded membership targets.