Is MTV Complying With the 2008 Spring Break Marketing Plan?

I just became aware of some additional information that I didn’t know when I wrote “A Review of the 2008 TDC/CVB Spring Break Marketing Plan” last week (see post). In addition to my original concerns, I now have doubt as to whether MTV is complying with the terms of the $200,000 contract with the TDC/CVB.

When the Plan was originally proposed to the TDC/CVB, it was explained that the MTV Networks were now going to mainly cover Spring Break via their mtvU network, not their flagship MTV channel as in years past. This explanation was consistent with the written proposal presented to the CVB Marketing Committee on October 3, 2007:

* “mtvU is the hub for everything and anything that represents Spring Break”
* “. . .and where we go, we bring our big brothers, MTV and MTV2.”

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Pier Park – Margaritaville Grand Opening in Panama City Beach (video)

Today was the grand opening of Margaritaville in Pier Park in Panama City Beach. This location is the only one in the Panhandle and has been highly anticipated, I can’t wait to eat there. Inside, there is a boat with fake scuba tanks lining the railings (like you’d see on a dive boat), a plane hanging from the ceiling, huge sails hanging from the walls with Jimmy Buffett concerts projected on them and flat screen TV’s all over with more Jimmy Buffett.

Click the “more” link for the video, and more pictures.

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Pier Park – More Stores to Open this week

March 3rd press release from Simon Property Group.

Pier Park Welcomes More Dining and Shopping Choices!
– Popular New Eateries and Stores Set to Open This Week –

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (March 3, 2008)- Pier Park options continue to grow as many anticipated restaurants and shops plan to open this week in the 900,000-square-foot retail and entertainment lifestyle center. New tenants scheduled to open include Dillard’s, JCPenney, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, Southern Waters Outfitters, Smoothie King, Trader Tom’s and ULTA Beauty.

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A Review of the 2008 TDC/CVB Spring Break Marketing Plan

As I am writing this, our first group of college spring breakers are on the road heading to liven up our beach. No one knows whether the TDC/CVB’s College Spring Break Marketing Plan will end up being a success, a failure, or somewhere in between. Hopefully President Dan Rowe has a plan for calculating a reliable estimate of how many college students visit our destination during the four-week period this year and what the actual economic impact is to Bay County. Lately, I have heard the estimate being mentioned that 250,000 college students came here for Spring Break last year and that we are expecting the same or better this year. However, it is my understanding that the TDC/CVB has no data to actually support this 250,000 figure. I am pleased that the new TDC/CVB board has been very diligent in questioning the attendance and economic impact of other special events; however, I do not believe that they have had the same diligence in questioning College Spring Break. But regardless of how successful the MTV plan ends up being, it is clear that the plan has some major problems.

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Dinner at Bootleg Barbeque, and it rocked (review)

Last night, my wife and I had dinner at Bootleg Barbeque. I have to say, it wasn’t our first choice, but I’m very glad we had the opportunity to eat there, it was great. Actually, great was an understatement.

One of the things that excited us about Pier Park, is that it is an all inclusive date. We got their early for our movie, walked up and down the boardwalk, and came back to eat at Camile’s Sidewalk Cafe, but to our surprise, they closed at 7. I’m not very familiar with them, but it would seem that on a Friday night, they would be leaving some business on the table by closing so early.

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Shores of Panama files for Bankruptcy

In an effort to continue operations after over 100 purchasers initiated the process to get out of their contracts, the Shores of Panama has filed for protection under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

The Shores of Panama consists of 709 condos in a 22 story building on Front Beach Road. When they were marketing and selling this project, huge emphasis was placed on the expansive resort-style amenity area. Situated right across from Laketown Wharf, the Shores of Panama is a beach-front U-shaped building.

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Lunch at Back Porch Seafood House at Pier Park

I had lunch with John Comer, the President of Southern Restaurant Group in Destin, who just opened Back Porch Seafood and Oyster House in Pier Park. This concept was brought from Destin where they own and operate the Back Porch, Pompano Joes, Fisherman’s Wharf Seafood House and Louisiana Lagniappe. They also own and operate Caribbean Soup Company in Pensacola, Cafe Grazie in Destin and Orange Beach, AL and San Roc Delicatezza in Orange Beach, AL.

Click the “more” link for the rest of the post.

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Ron Jon Surf Shop is Open Pier Park Slammed on Saturday

On Friday, Ron Jon Surf Shop opened their store in Pier Park in Panama City Beach. This is the sixth store in the state and 9th in the country. They were welcomed by the Panama City Beach Chamber and tons of people. With the heavy raining we got Thursday, Bay County canceled school on Friday, and there were tons of families at Pier Park.

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