To help economic development in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, city officials have, after asking for relief from corporate sponsors, has signed a deal with media buying club, MediaBuys to seek out corporate involvement for Mardi Gras in February of 2006. The deal is in reaction to a December 7 Wall Street Journal article stating the City of New Orleans was asking corporation to pay $2 million to sponsor Mardi Gras. MediaBuys will solicit “Official Presenting Sponsors” and help the city find additional funding from “Corporate Supporters” willing to collectively pay for a major Mardi Gras advertising support campaign.
Presenting sponsors will be offered a $2,000,000 package that may include advertising along the parade route, media related ad space, web casting and the exclusive right to web-cast, film and market the festivities from the City of New Orleans’ official reviewing stands. The majority of the funds collected from these sponsors will be directed to the city to be used for extra police and fire protection.
MediaBuys has partnered with New Orleans advertising agency Bright Moments a Sharpe Alliance agency of which is helping with strategic organizational plans. In addition, special program partners include Universal Studios, BFCA, Keep Me Posted, L.A. Digital, Media Distributors, Razor & Tie, Koeppel Direct, Telecasters and DG Systems, all who are offering special in-kind contributions to the effort.
