New app puts social network to the test
Much has been said about the power of Facebook and other social networking sites in bringing people together. Now, for the first time, it’s really being put to the test by VisitBritain.
Youth travel organisation STA Travel along with Travel CUTS, Transat Holidays and Britain’s national tourism agency VisitBritain have launched a new Facebook campaign to inspire Gen Y travellers to visit the UK.
The Gen Y campaign competition will only be available to facebook users in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Unite the Invite is a new Facebook app, that tests the power of your social reach. The premise is simple: You register, upload a picture of yourself and are matched with another Facebook user, who is also involved in this “social experiment”. Simply post their picture to your wall and ask your friends to share it. Your challenge is to find your match faster than anyone else. If you do, you’ll win an exclusive trip for two to London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh or Cardiff.
The site will also include visitor information for each city so you can find out everything you need to know during the trip.
Each participant is given a virtual invitation to the UK. But there’s a catch – you’re only given you half of it. The other half is given to the mystery person you have to find on Facebook. If you find them and unite your invite faster than anyone else, you’ll each win an exclusive UK adventure that has been organized by our travel experts.
James Bell, STA Travel Commercial VP said: “With the Royal Wedding just a couple months away the UK has never had more reasons to celebrate – and there’s never been a more exciting time to visit.”
“The idea that we’re all connected by six degrees of separation has intrigued people for generations,” says Laurence Bresh, VisitBritain’s Director of Marketing. “This campaign attempts to prove that theory. And, to our knowledge, no other tourist board or travel agency has taken this approach to engage students and young professionals.”
Mike Dawson Travel CUTS president added: “We’re excited to be partnering with VisitBritain to launch this innovative tool to capture the attention of the dynamic and selective Gen Y market.”
The Unite the Invite Facebook campaign is also being supported by traditional consumer PR outreach, STA student Brand Ambassadors and blogger engagement with key influencers.
Unite the Invite launched on Monday February 14th, 2011 and can be accessed by visiting www.facebook.com/LoveUK. The social experiment will run until Sunday March 13th, 2011 at 11.59 pm EST. Prize details: The fastest pair to Unite their Invite will each win a trip for two to the UK and can choose from six different prizes: London, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Cardiff.
The Gen Y campaign will be launched in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
