MSC CRUISES LAUNCHES FIRST EVER TV AD IN THE UK

1st January 2019 will see the debut of MSC Cruises first ever UK TV advertising campaign which is launching ahead of the naming ceremony of MSC Bellissima which will take place on March 2nd 2019 in Southampton. The advertising campaign is one of several marketing activities that the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company has planned over the next few months to generate excitement ahead of the naming ceremony celebrations.

The TV advert, which will all focus on the Company’s new advertising campaign ‘The World’s Most Beautiful’, will feature across both free and paid for channels including ITV 1, Channel 4, Channel 5 and SKY. Running throughout January, the adverts will also appear across ‘Video on Demand’ services offered by the channels in order to further increase brand awareness.

MD for MSC Cruises UK & Ireland Antonio Paradiso said, ‘We are delighted to be able to take this next step in increasing the visibility of our brand in the UK. In the last three years our incredible growth has amounted to great success thanks to the support of the UK & Irish travel agents and we believe that this campaign marks the start of our next phase of expansion in our market.

Paradiso added ‘With the launch celebrations for MSC Bellissima taking place in Southampton, there is no better time to develop our marketing strategy and expand our distribution. We think that this TV campaign and the other advertising initiatives will provide great opportunities for UK travel agents and we thank them for their continued support as we head into the biggest year ever for MSC Cruises UK & Ireland.’

The news comes following the launch of the Company’s ‘Wave Campaign’ which will see a complimentary premium drinks package included when booking a ‘Fantastica’ experience on all summer 2019 sailings and winter 19/20 sailings to destinations including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Northern Europe and Emirates. This is the 3rd consecutive year that the cruise line has run the promotion, with its popularity resulting in MSC Cruises UK & Ireland’s record wave season sales in 2018.

To celebrate, MSC Cruises is bringing back the popular ‘MSC Choctacular’ agent incentive which the brand promises this year will be ‘bigger and better than ever’. From 1st January 2019 the MSC Cruises sales team will be travelling across the country handing out chocolate bars to travel agents, with over 600 containing hidden gold or silver tickets. For lucky golden ticket winners, prizes range from the chance to win a place at the coveted MSC Bellissima naming celebrations, to VIP tickets to Chelsea Football Club of which the brand announced sponsorship earlier this year. Silver ticket winners can expect a host of prizes courtesy of MSC Cruises world class partners including Venchi chocolate, LEGO models and Spa hampers.

Agents should call their local MSC Cruises account manager to schedule a visit, as well as keeping up to date through the ' page which will have all the info on winning these great prizes. The incentive will run until 2nd March 2019.

For further information on MSC Cruises visit www.msccruises.co.uk