A young Panthers fan is photographed at the "Snapshot Area"
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CONTACTS:
Nadia Abich, Director, Marketing
Justin Copertino, Manager, Communications
Florida Panthers
(954) 835-7000
http://panthers.nhl.com
ORGANIZATION: Florida Panthers
PROGRAM TITLE: Publix Kids Korner
OBJECTIVES: Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers wanted to continue their efforts of positioning the Panthers “as the most family-friendly franchise in South Florida,” said SSE chief operating officer Michael Yormark. Their efforts led to the creation of an area at the BankAtlantic Center, home of Panthers hockey, directly geared towards children. “Publix Kids Korner” was designed to give kids a place where they could enjoy themselves with other young Panthers fans and to help them increase their love for the Panthers and the BankAtlantic Center. It also fulfills one of the Panthers’ organizational goals of creating a “family” building that is dedicated to family entertainment, along with hockey and concerts.
Panthers mascot, Stanley C. Panther, receives great reviews from kids and their parents
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PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: With an aesthetically beautiful, state of the art facility in South Florida, which was recently ranked number seven in the United States and number sixteen in the world by Trade Publication PollStar for entertainment and is consistently a top 20 U.S. venue, the idea of “Publix Kids Korner” did not initially come from within the BankAtlantic Center, but from another great Florida attraction, Walt Disney World. Yormark went to Disney World with his family and shortly thereafter came back with the idea that there had to be an area where kids could go in the arena.
Located on the plaza level/main concourse, parents and children are able to visit the spacious, fun, and highly interactive destination that is unlike any other in-arena feature in the country. Specifically designed with a pastel Panthers color scheme, the “Kids Korner” stands out among all of the other BankAtlantic Center areas as a safe, fun and inventive destination for children, especially where there is a break in exciting Florida Panthers hockey. The “Kids Korner” is accessible during every Florida Panthers home game for many child-centric activities. Inside, the discounted kid’s menu includes mini hot dogs, pizza bites, mini hamburgers and more. In addition, the ice cream parlor has a bright and beautiful look to it for both the children and their parents to enjoy. When they’re finished eating at the “child-sized” dining area, kids take part in various games and activities, take photographs with Stanley C. Panther and his mascot friends, or browse through the children’s merchandise stand.
If this was not already enough, Radio Disney was on hand during 14 home games. Radio Disney complimented the “Kids Korner” with the Radio Disney “Fun Squad”, hockey themed interactive games, the Radio Disney Prize Wheel with the winners selecting wonderful Disney prizes, a hockey themed arts and crafts station and much more.
MEDIA: “Publix Kids Korner” was promoted through television, radio and print advertisements. But the main channel was through radio, specifically, Radio Disney, as they were present on weekend games and had tremendous entertainment for the kids.
PARTNERS: The Florida Panthers partnered with aforementioned, Disney Radio, and also Publix. Dubbed the “Publix Kids Korner”, Publix Super Markets is the largest and fastest-growing employee-owned supermarket chain in the United States. It is a fitting partnership between the Panthers and Publix, because “both companies share a common goal of supporting South Florida’s youth”, said Yormark. Bill Fauerbach, Publix Vice President of Retail Operations could not agree more by stating, “Kids and families are at the cornerstone of our charitable giving and day-to-day business operations. We are elated to partner with the Florida Panthers in bring back affordable family fun to hockey.”
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RESULTS: The Florida Panthers and the BankAtlantic Center have further increased their image as a family friendly arena as a result from this instant success. Usage of the “Publix Kids Korner” (approximately 1,000 children per game) has increased ticket, team merchandise, and concession sales. Fans have stayed longer at the games now that there is a place for kids to go to when they get ‘antsy’ in their seats.
LOOKING AHEAD: With “Publix Kids Korner” being an instant success for the Panthers and the South Florida community, the team is working with vendors of day cares and kiddie gyms to progressively expand “Publix Kids Korner” as much as possible, each successive year.
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