John was asked by Australian Lawn Concepts, one of Australia’s larger turf farms, to assist in marketing an oversupply in turf. ALC is located at the base of Mt Tambourine on the Gold Coast in Queensland. After spending time with the owner, John was able to deduce that the major target audience for the turf product was Landscapers – as unlike home owners, they purchase turf for numerous homes at a time.
John produced an innovative Direct Mail Campaign which featured an offer “too good to refuse” to most thirsty male landscapers!
For every purchase of 500 square metres of turf (about one regular home’s worth), the landscaper would receive a free carton of premium Crown Lager beer!
John explained “given the capacity of landscapers to order volume turf, we need to provide them with an incentive which rewarded them personally. And then we needed to link the giveaway with a particular volume, so that we would stimulate repeat purchasing and ongoing loyalty”.
The Direct Mail Campaign was due to be mailed to 500 landscapers in the region, but after sending 250 of the mailers out, guess what?
ALC Turf Farm ran out of turf!!
Owner, John Kelleher, says “it was just remarkable and I’m now certainly a fulltime devotee of the power of wow!”
This was certainly a case of John “practicing what he preaches”. After deciding to sell his country homestead, John decided that he would market the property himself rather than put it in the hands of a real estate agency.
Fair enough, given his line of work!
But just like everything else he touches, John approached the marketing of his home quite differently to how a regular real estate agent would.
Chanel Nine’s “A Current Affair” program ended up playing a major role in the quick sale of John’s rural homestead!
This is a classic case of using “wow factor marketing” to achieve a spectacular result.
Let’s face it, 99.9% of people would sell their homes via the traditional means of using a real estate agent. But many who would be reading this have probably been down that frustrating path.
Whilst there are many fantastic real estate agents out there, there are also many who don’t have a clue of how to market a home, particularly one that may have some unique features.
Many real estate agents simply take a “cookie-cutter” approach to selling their inventory and many times this simply involves the normal practice of a window photograph and description, an online advertisement and perhaps a press ad the size of a cigarette packet.
In this particular case study, John demonstrates just have powerful “wow factor thinking” can be if you target your messages to the right people at the right time!
Madura Tea, a small tea producer situated in Northern NSW in Australia, contacted John and requested that he assist in increasing sales with some innovative marketing. The company has stiff competition from the likes of Twinings, Bushells, Lipton and Lanchoo.
John immediately put together a “wow concept” that involved a massive incentive of a $1 Million Dollar Prize (which John insured through Lloyd’s Of London).
Consumers received a random number of entries from every pack they purchased and entered the contest online, meaning Madura collected a valuable database of buyers.
By introducing the “random number of entries” mechanism, John cleverly created a “lucky-dip formula” which acted as a magnetic incentive to consumers, as they bought more and more product to get more and more entries!
The result of John’s first promotion for Madura Tea was stunning.
You’ve probably read about this promotion earlier on this website, but it is one of Australia’s most stunning marketing success stories, so we’ve provided you with the full case study here for your enjoyment.
It’s as simple as this.
John was asked many years ago to consider ways to increase the Society’s home loans and upon recognising that most banks ran the same type of offers and marketing campaigns, he suggested that the Greater “think outside the square” and do something completely different.
John had a working relationship with a “travel incentives” company, The Leapfrog Group.
He was producing TV, magazine & newspaper promotional concepts that involved “travel incentives” provided by The Leapfrog Group.
And therefore he introduced the “travel incentives” company to the Greater.
This resulted in launching a “value-add” offer of rewarding home loan customers with a free holiday – and the promotion proved to be probably the most successful financial institution marketing concept ever in Australia!
Indeed, the concept is still going strong ten years after its invention – which just goes to show that a hot idea can endure!
One of JD’s clients is Matt Buchel, owner of a Gold Coast business called Tropical Lifestyle. This company has been owned by Matt for a number of years and manufactures its own gazebo and Bali huts at a production plant about 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast.
The company has a large retail centre at Bundall in the middle of the Gold Coast, located on a very busy road and therefore, enjoys massive traffic past its doors every day.
Matt is an aggressive promoter and therefore markets his business very heavily both online and offline. His website is www.tropicallifestyle.com.au.
Everyone loves a party, so JD convinced Matt to hold one!
JD had been encouraging Matt to consider a Backyard Expo for some time.
Given that Tropical Lifestyle featured lots of additional products outside of Bali Huts and gazebos, JD felt that an Expo would be a perfect way to showcase this.
Dr. Maura McGill came to The Institute of Wow for assistance with building her medical practice which specialises in helping women with menopause and PMS issues. Maura is one of a number of doctors at a clinic providing her services 5 days a week from 9 till 5.
When JD interviewed Maura to find out more about her practice, it became evident that her income was restricted by the number of hours her office was open.
Therefore, this meant that the only way she could improve her income, aside from filling any empty hours, was to somehow raise her prices.
(After all, if there’s only 8 “billing hours” a day, there’s hardly any value in attracting an avalanche of new clients if they can’t get an appointment!)
So JD devised a way that Maura could DOUBLE her fees immediately!
John was asked by a Sydney travel company to assist in coming up with product-extension ideas, particularly ones which would appeal to the mass market. The travel company had been predominately assisting companies with “discount hotel promotional offers” which businesses used as consumer incentives.
(For example, a home entertainment retailer might offer 2 nights’ accommodation at a prestige hotel for just $20 when you bought a television this weekend.)
When John got involved, his innovative thinking gave the travel business an entirely new outlook on things and he created a new product for them aimed directly at consumers, a much larger market than retailers.
He designed a marketing plan which resulted in an avalanche response and jammed switchboards!
This is a great example of a business having an incredible wow factor, but perhaps not realising it!
And that’s where the wizardry of JD’s thinking comes into play.
Funfields is a theme park in Melbourne, Australia – with the majority of its attractions being “water-themed” (slides, pools, bumper boats etc).
Having joined JD’s coaching program, the owners had a clear objective of quickly increasing patronage to the park over the upcoming summer season.
When visiting the theme park and being presented with samples of the park’s TV, radio, brochure and online advertising, JD could see that everything was lacking “theatre & wow”.
JD says “I could see that the theme park was fabulous, the rides were great, the landscaping immaculate & the overall ambience extremely welcoming. But the advertising & general marketing messages were underwhelming. I knew what would happen if we injected some wow adrenaline into their communications!”
And that’s exactly what JD provided to this business – with instant, staggering results!
You can imagine JD’s reaction when he found out that one of the attractions, The Typhoon waterslide, was apparently the longest waterslide of its type in the world!
(But that fact had NOT been exploited in previous marketing efforts!)
Within weeks of meeting JD, Funfields’ marketing went “from bland to grand” – and the park owners have been counting the cash ever since!!
Owner of Carnival Land Amusements, James Kemp, credits JD with making him realise that he had “an identity crisis!!”
Well, at least his business had an identity crisis!!
Carnival Land provided amusements to schools for their annual fete or fair.
They were one of many such amusement companies targeting schools and therefore had fallen into “the sea of sameness” when it came to marketing their rides and services.
When JD interrogated owner, James (well that’s what James called it!!), he discovered that Carnival Land was very different from other amusement ride companies.
James had worked out that if he matched certain rides and attractions with “the demographics” of different schools, the amount of money raised at the fete skyrocketed!
In other words, James had created a more scientific way of providing “extraordinary value” to schools, by matching the most appropriate attractions with each school’s demographics.
When JD learnt of this, it was “the ah-ha’ moment.
He instantly convinced James to stop promoting his business as “an amusements hire company” – and start positioning his business as Australia’s Leading Schools Fundraising Expert.
In other words, use “wow direct-response” marketing to highlight the PROBLEM that most schools had (ie: finding the right attractions that would make the most money) – & PROVIDE THE SOLUTION!
This marketing epiphany instantly changed the fortunes for Carnival Land Amusements – and by highlighting this huge point of difference, James was able to leave his competitors eating his dust!
Vomo Island is an exclusive, upmarket vacation destination in Fiji.
Owners of this resort wanted to increase occupancy and their primary target audience were New Zealanders, given the relatively close proximity in the Pacific.
JD visited the island (one of the terrific perks of the marketing game!) and was blown away by just how private and opulent the resort was.
Having designed lots of major promotions for big media companies like News Ltd, Fairfax & the Nine Television Network, JD decided to offer some Free Holiday prizes to major New Zealand media companies.
And as they say, the rest is history.
He created an incredible mass-market promotion with The New Zealand Herald newspaper, a publication which targets the wealthier demographics. Hence this was “a message to market match” scenario – the right incentive to the right audience.
The newspaper agreed to publish an entire promotional wraparound on its weekend publication, promoting the chance to win one of four Vomo Island vacations.
The results were INSTANT – the Vomo Island resort was solidly booked out for the foreseeable future!!
And the newspaper got its benefit as well – increased circulation.
Oh, did we forget to mention that aside from giving away a few free rooms, this wow factor marketing campaign COST THE RESORT NOTHING!!!
When it comes to extraordinary transformations, this one takes the cake!
A confectionary retailer in western Sydney was already a successful business & owner, Darren Pead, had done a great job with showcasing candy from around the world.
When one walked into this “treasure trove” of tempting chocolates, snacks & candy, it was impossible to avoid drooling.
The interior of the shop was absolutely knockout.
When Darren signed up to JD’s Private Consult Program, JD visited the store & immediately could see that the “exterior” of the retail store didn’t match the “interior”.
JD highlighted to Darren that the “outside” of the shop was bland & uninviting – it was lacking the necessary “wow” to stop passers-by.
JD also highlighted ways to stimulate “repetitive trade” & designed a Willy Wonka inspired promotion that built incredible loyalty & repeat-puchasing that helped break sales records.
This case study is truly a remarkable story of combining “JDs clever strategic thinking” with good old “pixie dust!”
Radio Station asked John to help stimulate sales for Surfers City Holden.
John prepared marketing campaigns for its Consumer and Business products.
John prepared marketing campaigns for its Consumer and Business products.
John has assisted many Licensed Clubs over the years.
John helped a Confectionery Company in marketing “Licensed Confectionery”.
Premium ideas to stimulate Slurpee ice drinks, targeted primarily at teenagers
A TV show that made the fulfilment of unbelievable dreams a reality.
John marketed a Health & Well-being Exposition which toured nationally.
John helped the Building Society distinguish its Home Loan product from its competitors.
John refurbish Genlites image and built them a successful marketing plan.
John created a smash hit idea within 15 days which saved KFC!
John increased circulation through promotional ideas that appealed to all.
John revolutionised St Torpez Cafe’s menus.
John promoted channel loyalty by offering prizes for particular program watching.
Through the appeal of dinosaus at the time, John created record newspaper circulation.
John came up with new innovative Bingo versions to capture the public’s imagination
By using a disney poster and stickers, circulation was increased remarkably.
Australian newspapers again asked John to provide them a Disney-themed stimulus.
A successful “continuity promotion” which John put together for newspapers.
John again created amazing newspaper circulation through another promotion.
John used direct marketing to encourage repetitive visits from the target audience.
John raised prostate cancer awareness through this cheeky campaign.
John heped to contribute ideas for stimulating Advertising sales revenue.
John devised a Direct Mail scratch bingo style concept called Cash Card
One of John’s stunning examples of real estate themed “Wow Factor marketing”.
John’s advice helped this company enjoy a substantial lift in image & new clientele.
John provided advice in marketing their range of stunning products to “the masses”.
Clearwater utilised John’s creative instincts to attract more guests to their fishing lodge.
John injected some of his “wow factor” into marketing the Greenmount property!
John studied the resort and provided a Marketing Plan for moving forward.
John overwhelming popularised the hotel accommodation discount offer.
Over 10,000 people rushed to the store to get a bear during the Christmas season.
The Newcastle Knights requested John’s “Wow” marketing assistance.
John was asked to provide “Direct Response-style” Marketing advice to Kooee.
John broke worldwide records for the sale of his “Batman Returns” trading cards!!
John produced staggering results through his strategic marketing plan.
John was asked to provide ideas & promotions to stimulate repetitive trade.
Video Ezy wanted to stimulate loyalty and repetitive visitation.
“The figures speak for themselves.Before we became part of John’s “wow environment”, our annual profit was about $120,000 a year.
Within 18 months of being involved with John’s coaching ideas, our profit within 18 months, grew to an annual rate of $440,000 a year!
That increased the value of our business fourfold – an outstanding result!
His system is applicable to any business-type.”
– Lisa TaylorNewcastle Knights Rugby League Club. NSW. Australia
– Natalie Kernke
Vibrosaun Sauna Massage. Qld.
Australia