Former and current BU students are helping deliver a major campaign to attract more tourists to visit Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this summer.
The ‘Feels like…’ campaign encourages those who might otherwise holiday abroad to take a fresh look at some of the region’s most iconic features. Pitched at those within a three-hour drive of the coast, the series of adverts highlight how Poole Harbour can feel like Sydney, Sandbanks like the OC and Bournemouth beach like Florida.
Lizzie McManus, who is currently studying an MSc in Green Economy at BU while running her own business, Warrior Agency, is leading the PR for the campaign. She said: “I grew up and still live in Bournemouth and know first-hand that there are so many wonderful places to discover and enjoy. I am sure other residents can relate to those times when it feels like you could be on holiday in another part of the world. This campaign is about celebrating the very best that BCP has to offer and helping people to see that they don’t need to get on a plane and travel this summer.”
As the PR lead for the campaign, Lizzie and her team have been busy packaging up content to share with publications focused on lifestyle, adventure, food and drink. She is also organising press trips for key journalists to help them experience the region for themselves.
Working alongside Lizzie is BU graduate Richard Rizzo Hills, who is Founder and Media Strategy Director for Fabbrica. It’s Richard’s role to place the advertising through a mixture of digital channels and outdoor locations. He said: “Getting involved in this project feels like coming full circle for me. I came to Bournemouth to study heritage conservation in the early 90s, so to now be helping promote it to others – who might be visiting for the first time – feels very special. It’s a great opportunity to support the tourism industry, which is so important for the area, economically and culturally. As foreign travel opens up again, we want to help people hold on to the benefits of a staycation, which can also provide a more sustainable and cost-effective way of holidaying.”
Richard and Lizzie are working with the team at Bournemouth-based Make Studio, which developed the campaign creative, and on behalf of BCP Council which has commissioned the project.
