Winter is in full swing, and Ottawa is already preparing for the next frozen frenzy. During Winterlude, tourists emerge from the holiday haze to skate the Rideau Canal as resident families plot their course through Snowflake Kingdom. Spanning January 31 to February 17, 2025, Winterlude is a prime opportunity for local businesses to connect with a larger, engaged audience. However, with heightened competition during this busy period, a strategic approach to marketing requires advance planning.
Capturing the Winterlude Audience
For businesses looking to capitalize on Winterlude, the key is to target both tourists and residents effectively. The best strategies start early, running campaigns both before and during the event to maximize visibility. Marketing channels like Out of Home (OOH), television, radio, and digital advertising can all play pivotal roles in achieving this goal.
OOH advertising, in particular, shines during high-traffic events like Winterlude. With thousands of visitors commuting through Ottawa’s downtown core, strategically placed billboards, transit ads, and digital signage can capture attention where it matters most. This exposure not only builds brand awareness but also drives engagement in real time.
A Balanced Media Mix
While OOH takes advantage of heavy foot and vehicular traffic, combining it with television and radio can significantly amplify results. Television’s broad reach and ability to convey compelling visuals make it ideal for creating memorable brand impressions. Similarly, radio advertising engages audiences on the go, offering a more personal touch through local programming.
Digital advertising ties it all together, providing a platform for precise targeting and tracking. From geo-targeted mobile ads to event-specific social media campaigns, digital channels offer opportunities to connect directly with Winterlude attendees. Together, these mediums create a cohesive, multi-channel approach that ensures your brand stays top of mind throughout the festival.
The Importance of Strategic Timing
Winterlude is not just about capturing attention during the event—it’s also about building momentum beforehand. Pre-event marketing can drive anticipation and position your brand as part of the Winterlude experience. This might include promoting special offers, collaborations, or event-related content.
During the festival, the focus shifts to maintaining visibility amidst the buzz. Leveraging OOH in high-traffic areas, such as Confederation Park or major downtown intersections, ensures that your message reaches audiences when and where they’re most engaged.
Why Work with Kingstar Media?
Navigating the complexities of multi-channel marketing requires expertise. With 25 years of experience, Kingstar Media has helped businesses across industries design campaigns that deliver measurable results. Using a performance-first model, we ensure that every media dollar works as hard as possible, attributing outcomes like website traffic and conversions directly to advertising efforts.
Kingstar’s established relationships with top Canadian media partners also mean access to competitive pricing and premium placements, giving businesses an edge in reaching their audience effectively. Whether you’re a local business or a larger brand seeking regional impact, our tailored strategies can help you maximize your Winterlude marketing efforts.
Make Winterlude 2025 Your Moment
Winterlude offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with Ottawa’s residents and visitors. To learn how Kingstar Media can help you stand out this season, contact Sophia Vick, Senior Director of Media and Analytics, at sophia@kingstarmedia.com, or connect on LinkedIn.
Let’s make your brand a part of the Winterlude experience—and ensure it resonates long after the ice sculptures melt.
