**Using a stuffed toy as a marketing tool**

Using a stuffed toy as a marketing tool

“Max, come with me. I want to show you a fantastic marketing idea,” said Dougal Hollis, the Editor of Hotel Today, the magazine published by the Victorian branch of the Australian Hotels Association. “I want to introduce you to Little Collin” he continued.

I was in Melbourne to share some marketing ideas at a seminar, organized by Dougal, for members of the Victorian AHA. And Dougal, knowing we are both always looking for good ideas, wanted to show me how Spring Café in Little Collins Street, Melbourne was using a stuffed toy, called Little Collin, as a memorable marketing tool.

Little Collin proudly sits on the shelf in the Spring Café. Patrons are invited to take Little Collin with them on holidays. The customers are also encouraged to take pictures of Little Collin on holidays. And they are invited to bring the pictures back and display them on the Café walls. I noted great pictures of Little Collin and his holiday hosts in front of the Taj Mahal(a place I would love to revisit) and the Statue of Liberty. WOW! What a clever way to create a bond with your customers.

And to see Little Collin, I invite you to visit our Blog. You may remember that I recently wrote about how Blogs are going to become the marketing tool of the future. Well, if you’d like to see pictures of Little Collin simply go to our Blog at http://hospitalitydoctors.blogspot.com/ . As well, you will see we have created an audio blog there telling the Little Colin story. I really recommend you begin to learn about Blogs.

Have a bloging good week.

Max Hitchins - The Hospitality Doctor - with Secrets, Tips, Tonics and Remedies to fill your Rooms, Restaurants and Bars - - http://www.HospitalityDoctor.com

PS. “A crank is someone with a new idea...until it catches on!” Mark Twain