Get the insider tips on New York – Google brings together technology, business and celebrity
In collaboration with NYC & Company,Google has just unveiled a new campaign for Google Maps that celebratesNew York City for both consumers and businesses. The new innovativeglobal campaign “Google Maps – Favorite Places” brings togethertechnology, business and celebrity to strengthen the marketing ofGoogle Maps as the premier resource for navigation through promotingsome of the most interesting local businesses in 13 cities worldwide(go to http://www.google.com/favoriteplaces or Google Maps and look for the link on the homepage).
Given that an estimated 80% of U.S. internet users access web search tofind local business information, the intention behind this new campaignis to assist locals and visitors to New York (and all participatingcities — which include San Francisco, London, Paris, Moscow, HongKong, Tokyo, Madrid and Prague) find fabulous, sometimes little-knowntreasures in dining, shopping, and culture that are the favorite placesof prominent trendsetters and experts. The program’s objective is tosynergistically promote Google Maps and support local business
development through these personal endorsements, enabling businesses to connect with customers online as well as in person.
InNew York, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa recommends his favorite restaurants;Diane Von Furstenberg and Isaac Mizrahi share their favorite places toshop; and Yo-Yo Ma, Mark Morris and Maya Lin list where they most enjoyart exhibits and theater. Other celebrities and dignitariesparticipating in the campaign include Jimmy Buffet, Cynthia Rowley,Danny Meyer, Al Gore, and Alice Waters.
The genesis of thecampaign parallels the NYC & Company program “Just Ask the Locals,”which featured insider tips on everything from the best late-night eatsand great bargains to the liveliest outdoor markets throughout New YorkCity. The new Favorite Places campaign, also using celebrities, venuesand content, draws from this successful formula.
Some of the elements include:
– a cool outdoor media campaign that will appear on NYC & Companyproperties such as bus stop shelters and street pole banners in NewYork (picture are some of the outdoor ads that will be seen aroundtown);
– window decals of the Google Maps “My Map” pin appearingin stores,restaurants, galleries and other venues. In San Francisco,life-sized “pins” like those on Google Maps will identify businessesselected as favorite places;
– information about FavoritePlaces on Google Maps globally accessible via mobile extension to helpusers get local expertise on the move (for iPhone, Android, Blackberry,Windows Mobile and Symbian S60 handsets);
– listings of thefavorite locations and links to the NYCGO.com website on Google Maps aspart of the NYC & Company branding component;
– free, easyways for NYC businesses to get online, including Google’s LocalBusiness Center, which allows business owners to control their businesslistings on Google and Google Maps.