Media Event Tactics

Electronic Gaming Business, March 10, 2004

Katie McQuade has produced several events for the interactive entertainment industry. The list below encompasses her advice surrounding venue, food, invitations, audio visual equipment and the drinks.

The Venue. Where you hold your media event says everything about the product, the company and the media you are targeting. For example, for Gathering of Developers' Tropico 2, we found the perfect venue: The Tonga Room in San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel. We were able to transform the space into a pirate haven. The event was a huge success and most importantly resulted in extensive positive coverage for the game.

The Invitations. For DreamCatcher's recent Painkiller game, our goal was excellent attendance during an extremely busy editorial time. By giving them plenty of notice, and making sure to catch them on the phone for their commitment, we ensured their attendance. The result: amazing turnout.

In addition to phone calls, I recommend you send a "save the date" announcement, then one month prior to the event either mail or email a formal invitation with all the details including date, location, and RSVP information.

A/V. Going cheap with A/V is not a wise decision. High quality A/V equipment is a necessity. Make sure that you allow plenty of time for set-up, testing of the equipment and break-down. I recommend at least three to five hours for this process.

The Bar. An open bar is a tempting resource, yet not always appropriate. The time of day will determine what type of beverages you should serve. If the event is during the day, offer a limited amount of alcohol, maybe a selection of beer and wine. If the event starts after five o'clock you have a lot more leeway.

Also, a full bar with themed drinks is a great way to get your guests into the mood of the event. For instance, we created a menu with a special drink for each game on display. They were a huge hit. It was a great way to tie all the aspects of the evening together.

Good luck with your events, and don't forget to bring extra power strips!

Katie McQuade is an Account Executive with Kohnke Communications.

[Copyright 2004 PBI Media, LLC. All rights reserved.]