Bahrain's Forumula 1 Campaign

Use the hook of the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix to increase awareness of the destination for both sports and leisure tourism.

Bahrain

Black and blue race car on a race track

Action

  • Launched annual consumer digital campaigns in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Each campaign had two separate call to action/targets lines; the first line used niche sports operators to target F1 enthusiasts with Bahrain grand Prix packages. The second used volume drivers to target a wider audience with leisure packages, using the well known event as the hook
  • Launched joint marketing activity with key sports and leisure operators selling the race
  • Hosted key trade partners at the event – resulting in new tour operators launching Bahrain
  • Hosted key media at the event who produced coverage on both the F1 and Bahrain as a leisure destination
  • Liaised with the production company who create Netflix’s hit show ‘Drive to Survive’ to increase coverage of Bahrain in show. Created an itinerary for them to shoot additional locations to showcase the attraction offering and shared b-roll footage for inclusion in the show

Results (2017 – 2021)

  • Circulation of 147 million as a result of 3 annual press trips to the F1 – with a value of over £2 million
  • 120 million targeted impressions delivered across F1 specific campaigns
  • The campaigns resulted in a 60% increase in internet sales from the UK for tickets for the F1
  • The UK was the second largest international market represented at the F1, behind Saudi Arabia
  • 15 product directors and managers hosted 40 new tour operators featuring & selling Bahrain from 2016
  • 400% increase in Bahrain F1 packages being sold in market
  • ‘Drive to Survive’ was the number 1 show on Netflix in 33 countries in 2022 with over 4 million viewers tuning in on the opening weekend of the series dropping

 

 

Small black race car on a race track
Car racing event
Processed with VSCO with hb2 preset
Orange race car on a track
Car race pit stop workers fixing a car in black helmets and gear
Clowns standing on stilts outside in a crowd of people with a carnival in the background