MSC Cruises Collaborates With We Are Social To Strengthen Global Social Media Strategy

MSC Cruises has joined forces with We Are Social to develop its global social media strategy. MSC Cruises will work with We Are Social to strengthen the content strategy that lies at the heart of the conversation between MSC Cruises and various local followers all over the world.

We Are Social will activate an international team of 450 specialists based in 8 different international offices, a structure that will enable it to define and coordinate a creative approach that is consistent with each country’s needs.

MSC Cruises has always placed great importance in developing a relationship and dialogue with the wide community of holidaymakers and cruisers, so the new collaboration with We Are Social will allow MSC to enhance its knowledge of the needs of travelers and potential travelers in different countries and address them.

“This new partnership with We Are Social marks a ramping-up of our drive to engage with diverse online communities in ways that traditional marketing cannot. This is proof that MSC Cruises believes and invests in the potential of social media“ declared Luca Catzola, MSC Cruises Chief Marketing Officer.

“We will be rolling out exciting new content on all of our platforms as we head towards a bright future” added David Arcifa, MSC Cruises Corporate Social Media Manager.

Social media already plays an important role in the way MSC Cruises talks to travelers and cruise lovers, with the use of of a dedicated hashtag #MedWayOfLife, with over 2.4million Facebook fans, five million views on its dedicated YouTube channel, 80,000 Twitter followers and a burgeoning Instagram fanbase.

We Are Social Italia cofounders and managing directors Gabriele Cucinella, Stefano Maggi and Ottavio Nava stated: “Brands are understanding the increasing importance of a strategic and creative coordination of social activities. Our collaboration with MSC Cruises represents another step forward in this direction, to allow the evolution of the brand’s social thinking.”


// Source: MSC Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines Unprecedented Social Media Event on Facebook May 1, 2011

In an unprecedented social media event, Carnival Cruise Lines is inviting Facebook fans www.facebook.com/carnival to experience the excitement of Carnival Magic's May 1 launch from Venice, Italy, with a series of videos that showcase the ship's inaugural activities along with its many unique features and innovations.

A series of 11 videos will be posted every half hour between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. (U.S. Eastern time) on Sunday, May 1.  The videos take viewers on a journey as they enjoy a front-row seat at the Carnival Magic's naming ceremony, tour the ship's bridge, and learn more about the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, WaterWorks aqua park, and Cucina del Capitano Italian restaurant, with insight from company executives who helped create these exciting new spaces.

The videos also offer an in-depth look at the ship's European ports of call and a recap of the day's events, including a chat with the ship's godmother, Lindsey Wilkerson, a former patient of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital who now serves as an employee and an ambassador of the organization. Carnival Magic's Senior Cruise Director John Heald will also answer questions submitted by Facebook fans as part of an informative "Ask John" segment.

After the videos are posted, fans can participate in a Facebook quiz based on the videos for a chance to win a seven-day Carnival Magic cruise for four to the Caribbean.

"Only a handful of people get to witness a ship launch in person so by using Facebook we're enabling fans from all over the world to be right there with us as we welcome Carnival Magic into the fleet," said Jim Berra, Carnival's chief marketing officer. "Those who are not already among our 725,000 and growing Facebook fans can visit us at www.facebook.com/carnival and simply hit the 'like' button." ww.facebook.com/carnival

The 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic will spend its inaugural season in Europe with a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean cruises operating May 1 through October 16, 2011. Following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing, Carnival Magic will begin seven-day Caribbean cruises out of Galveston, Texas, on November 14, 2011, becoming the port's largest year-round ship.

For more information, visit http://www.carnival.com/


Source: Press release at PR Newswire

First Ever Combination of Social Media and Cruise Vacation Giveaway

Cruise Discounter CruiseNow.com recently launched a very innovative and unique Cruise Giveaway with Royal Caribbean International to give away a cruise for 2 on a 7 night Royal Caribbean Cruise.

What makes this contest so unique is the introduction of social media. The sweepstakes of the past are traditionally an email or name sign up, including but not limited to, some minor demographic information. CruiseNow.com has taken that concept to the next level.

Online users are prompted to enter their email address to earn an entry in the contest, but then are invited to “connect” with Cruise Now socially to earn additional entries which will enhance their chances of winning the cruise. Some of these extra opportunities are, “Liking” CruiseNow.com on Facebook, Following them on Twitter, Retweeting the promotion to their friends, sharing the promotion on their Facebook wall, subscribing to the Cruise Now YouTube channel, reviewing a cruise ship they have been on in the past for their friends and much more. Fans of the contest will have the opportunity to earn up to 9 additional entries in the contest.

Initial response has been overwhelming and CruiseNow.com is fielding calls from news outlets across the country interested in finding out more about this innovative concept. John Keen, CEO of CruiseNow.com, says “I knew we had something special when we saw the huge response to the contest in the first 24 hours. It really shows you the power of social media. When your friends recommend something the influence and magnitude is incredible.”

The grand prize for this sweepstakes is a 7 night Caribbean cruise for 2 on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Once Royal Caribbean heard about the social aspect of this sweepstakes they jumped on board to be the cruise line of choice for the winner. They too have been pleasantly surprised by how quickly the contest has spread. It rivals many much more expensive similar sweepstakes that have been done in recent years. It is a true testament that social marketing is here and working in a big, big way.

View original press release at http://www.prweb.com/releases/CruiseNow/cruisegiveaway/prweb8204944.htm