Packet360: Avatar premier party builds industry buzz

How do you build buzz for your high tech education series? Well, why not leverage excitement around the opening of the most technically advanced film ever made? That’s exactly what Packet360 did, with the help of OKeefe Brands and 93 Octane.

Packet 360, who performs network analysis, design, implementation and support, conceived of the lecture series as a way to deepen their ties with the tech community and build goodwill among clients and prospects. Okeefe recognized the AVATAR premier could be the perfect opportunity to launch the series, and quickly moved to pull together the event plan. But with little more than three weeks till the opening day, they needed to pull in a partner who could respond quickly, and tapped 93 Octane.

Two days later, the creative team at 93 Octane put together the first of a two-pronged email blast designed to generate maximum interest. The emails were integrated with an online reservation system, giving organizers up-to-the minute information on response rates, and allowing them to tailor arrangements and follow-up communications.

Just days later, responders received a provocative invitation in the mail, complete with fraud-resistant watermarked tickets. The visual approach was even carried through to the event, where 93 Octane created AVATAR themed lanyards for event guests.

The results? The promotion generated a whopping 17% response rate, with over 200 people registering and over 150 attending with little more than week-and-a-half notice. But even more impressively,  the event paved the way to new business meetings and contacts – and all during the December holiday season!

“Even with a daunting timetable, 93 Octane delivered beautiful work that was incredibly responsive,” said Packet360’s Rob Jefferson. “I can’t imagine having not partnered with them for this project.”