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Dons Win Marketing Award at Northern Star Business Awards

28 September 2018
Author Aberdeen FC Media Team

Aberdeen Football Club and BIG Partnership scooped the award for best campaign of the year at last night’s Northern Star awards.

The Aurora campaign, beat off stiff competition to win the “Marketing Magic” award at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce’s annual event which recognises successful businesses across the North-east for their exceptional accomplishments in areas from internationalisation and innovation to people development, environmental action, marketing success and customer service.

The Aurora campaign, designed by BIG Partnership and delivered by the PR and digital marketing agency in partnership with AFC, galvanised public support for the club’s £50 million community sports hub, training facilities and new stadium.

The integrated marketing campaign kicked-off in August 2017 and targeted communities, supporters, politicians and key influencers to communicate the socio-economic benefits of AFC and AFCCT’s ambitious plans for the facilities at Kingsford.

The Aurora campaign was launched in August 2017 and received the support of fans, legends including Sir Alex Ferguson, businesses, individuals and local resident. Under #AllForAURORA,  diverse audiences from across the region came together in support of the plans which helped influence a positive planning decision and delivered 30 press releases, resulting in over 600 pieces of media coverage and over 600 million “opportunities to see”, direct support from over 100 businesses and 4million Facebook impressions and 13,000 Twitter mentions.

Work is already underway to deliver phase one of the development: first class community sports facilities and a training academy, named after Dons legend Bobby Clark.

AECC, Aberdeen, Thursday 27th September 2018
Pictured left to right is Rob Wicks (Aberdeen Football Club) and Zoe Ogilvie (Big Partnership) recieving the Marketing Magic Award at the Northern Star Business Awards 2018 at the AECC
Picture by Euan Duff / Abermedia

AFC Commercial Director, Rob Wicks, said: “It’s great to be able to look back on the Aurora campaign and what the club was able to achieve thanks to the fantastic support of many fans, staff, volunteers, local businesses and organisations.

“Every group played a huge part and this recognition is as much for them as it is for the club. We would also like to thank BIG Partnership for the significant contribution they made to a successful campaign – their experience and knowhow was invaluable.

“Aurora was just the start and I think everyone at the club is now looking forward to making the plans a reality.”

BIG Partnership director Zoe Ogilvie added: “One of the biggest challenges in a high-profile planning application is activating the silent majority. The Aurora campaign inspired thousands of people to become ambassadors for the club’s ambitious plans with businesses, community clubs and individuals across Aberdeen proudly displaying they were ‘All For Aurora’ in the build up to the Council’s decision.

“This was a real joint effort with our client AFC and I’d like to thank them and everyone at BIG Partnership who worked so hard to ensure we painted the town red for Aurora throughout the campaign.”

The club extends its congratulations to all award winners and nominees, including club partner WM Donald Limited who won the “Business of the Year” award.

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