World Yacht Announces Freedom Lunch Cruise

New York, NY (USA) – 26 January 2012 – In April, World Yacht will launch the Freedom Lunch Cruise. Sailing from Pier 81, on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the Saturday cruise will deliver guests to the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan. While plans are to initially target the Freedom Lunch cruise to first responders and military personnel within in the Tri-state area, World Yacht is always looking to appeal to locals and tourists through partnerships and traditional advertising placements, says Jason Hackett, Chief Marketing Officer.

World Yacht handles media planning in 1Q and then it’s ongoing. “By February all our mandatory stuff is done; and then we hold stuff back. It’s an incredibly competitive marketplace; all of our competitors are agile, smart business people, so you have to hold back to see what’s going on.” While World Yacht does year-round marketing utilizing Digital and Print, they “meter the budget to match the season,” Hackett explains. Naturally, the Advertiser adjusts its spend to the season: “In winter the spend is less. The majority is spent between April and August,” he adds.

World Yacht will be experimenting more with Twitter as part of their social media marketing efforts, Hackett shares. “Facebook advertising around events is a big drive for us and is efficient economically,” he says.

When asked how the economy is affecting World Yacht and similar businesses in New York City, Hackett explains that thanks to international visitors, New York has done fairly well. “We’ve been fortunate to have a robust tourist base and robust spending,” Hackett explains, “so there’s a guarded optimism.” However, he adds, these same businesses are nervously watching the Euro Zone instability. Massive changes to other economies could have an even more significant impact on New York’s and World Yacht’s strongest customer base.

While World Yacht will be making a significant marketing push for the new Freedom Lunch, their Sunday “Best of New York” Brunch will also be supported significantly, Hackett explains. The Sunday Brunch, Hackett says, is appealing to locals and tourists alike. Locals from the outer boroughs and Westchester will often plan a family day to cruise around New York City in style while enjoying a relaxing meal. Groups, families, event rentals and charters are all aspects of different marketing efforts and partnerships simultaneously handled year-round. There are many partnerships domestically and internationally, he explains; including one with Madison Square Garden and The New York Yankees that helps World Yacht reach potential private event and charter clients.

The tagline “The Ultimate New York Experience” will be attached to almost all advertising, Hackett shares, but on many products will feature some variation of that overall brand message. Tickets for Freedom Lunch can be purchased at www.worldyacht.com for $69.15 for adults and $36.21 for children, and include admission to the Memorial. WTC Memorial tickets are in high demand and this partnership between World Yacht and the 9/11 Memorial offers the opportunity to not only visit the Memorial, but to sail down the Hudson and arrive in a peaceful, unique and “dignified” manner, Hackett says.

World Yacht has been in operation since 1981 and has three vessels cruising the Hudson from Pier 81. Private events and rentals are available in addition to weekly packages such as Sunday Brunch and the Freedom Lunch cruise to the WTC Memorial.

Media Contact:
Hallie Rosenbloom
Marketing/PR Coordinator
Ph: 212.630.8102
hrosenbloom@nycl.com