Monday 8 July 2013

Buckets of Fun: Wellington’s Wishing Well Returns

Ever wished for a year’s supply of coffee beans, or an entire cinema for just you and your friends? The capital’s virtual wishing well is back and offering a new series of money-can’t-buy Wellington experiences.

Based on the city’s iconic Bucket Fountain, Positively Wellington Tourism (PWT) has today re-launched the Wellington Wishing Well - a digital campaign set to grant a New Zealander’s wish every day this fortnight.

Chief Executive David Perks says the digital wishing well is a fun and creative way to get Wellingtonians in the know about their city and drive traffic downtown.

“The Wellington Wishing Well allows users to select from a series of wishes. Once they ‘throw’ their wish into the fountain, it animates - much like its Cuba Street relative - and enters their wish into the draw for it to come true. One wish will be granted every day from 8 – 21 July.”

Mr Perks says a range of behind-the-scenes and personalised experiences are on this year’s wish list.

“The Wellington Wishing Well has all kinds of wishes to grant – there’s the chance to sit in on the All Black’s Captain’s run before taking to the stands for the Bledisloe Cup, a private feast and sleepover in Bolton Hotel’s presidential and residence suites, a Mojo café crawl and a feast for 8 at Chow with all the dishes you’ve ever craved. There’s even the chance to win a private night safari at Zealandia, where you’ll meet Sirocco - New Zealand’s famous kakapo.”

New to the Wellington Wishing Well is the campaign’s offline component.
“Wellingtonians and visitors can now earn extra wishes by making a purchase at any of the participating businesses. A daily changing keyword will be on display in-store. Wishers can text the keyword to 315 to receive a unique code that unlocks an additional wish.”

Similar to last year, visitors to the Wellington Wishing Well will once again be able to enter custom wishes.

Produced as part of the Regional Tourism Organisation’s digital work, Mr Perks says the success of last year’s digital campaign solidified the virtual wishing well’s return.

“Overall, 61,825 wishes were made throughout the campaign’s duration with a daily average of close to 2,000 wishes. Moreover, 77,960 people visited WellingtonWishingWell.com, with 49% coming from outside of Wellington city.

“From a tourism perspective that’s a significant domestic reach.”
“For us, developing these campaigns is about showcasing Wellington in a way that not only tells our city’s story to people, it shares it with them – and in return they share in that story with us.
The Wellington Wishing Well is accessible on both PC and mobile by visiting WellingtonWishingWell.com.

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