Economy Busters....from the Branson Chamber Newsletter

[Suselit]

Economy Buster Marketing
http://www.explorebranson.com/Newsle...etterID=41#244

Everyone feeling the impact of skyrocketing fuel prices and increasing costs of food. Communities dependent upon tourism are particularly concerned, including the live entertainment capital of the world – Branson, Missouri.

One small family-owned entertainment business, is fighting back with "free gas" for the tourists and lots of marketing help from the community.

The Dutton family, one of the Top Ten Finalists in last year's America's Got Talent, owns the Dutton Family Theater, Inn and Deli complex in Branson.

According to family patriarch Dean Dutton, "We had to get pro-active, since our small business supports seven Dutton families, including our 19 grandchildren and our wonderful staff. We didn't want to just sit back and wait."

The Duttons first countered gas prices with $3.75 gasoline vouchers given with every adult ticket purchased. Additionally, every show awards one lucky patron a $50 gas certificate. All of this is above and beyond their participation in the Branson Chamber's Gas Buster $50 Rebate Program.

The Duttons have also involved the local community in their "Flag Tag" promotion.
In combination with several area businesses, the Duttons are distributing bright yellow Dutton pennants for vehicle antennas.
Each day the Flag Tag Prize Patrol selects one lucky vehicle with a Dutton Flag for a surprise gift.
Thanks to such partnering businesses as First Community Bank, Country Mart Supermarkets, Golden Corral and Branson Meadows Cinema, daily prizes might be cash, gasoline, dinners for two, savings bonds, show tickets, even gold!

The local Flag Tag promotion runs for three months with a monthly grand prize winner of a vacation trip for two, including airfare and accommodations, to a surprise resort destination.

Box office marketing manager Judith Dutton explained, "Rather than spending money on traditional advertising, we wanted to find a way to involve and reward members of the Branson community – and have some fun too!
We know that everyone is feeling the pinch of fuel prices today, so the prizes were selected to either provide some relief, financially or socially, to the stress of their daily lives."

For more information about the Dutton Family Theater, Inn and Deli, along with details of their promotions and shows, visit the Dutton website at www.TheDuttons.com