HBO’s Boardwalk Empire Spawns Merchandising, a Contest and Hotel Deals

Have any of you been watching the new HBO series “Boardwalk Empire.” There have only been two episodes to date, but so far the story is compelling.  The series takes the era of prohibition and what F. Scott Fitzgerald called the “lost generation” (meaning all the young men returning from the war forever changed) to a whole new level.  It’s almost like a vintage Sopranos with crime bosses, killings, and soap opera like intrigue. The show is every bit as violent.  For me, the most compelling reason to watch the show is the performance of Steve Buscemi as the crime boss Nucky Thompson.  Nucky has so many sides.  He can help a poor woman, and at the same time, rub out her no good husband leaving her a widow with two small children,  But somehow you know that widow, Margaret Schroeder, will not go uncared for so long as Nucky is around. I’m wondering if Mr. Schroeder will end up taking the place of Nucky’s departed wife, Mabel, and giving Nucky a little extra respectability.  So how does the “Boardwalk Empire” fit in with The Recessionista, and our dedication to finding deals? Easy, right now, HBO is offering some tremendous deals in cooperation with Harrah’s to promote the series.   Here’s how you can get a little vacation at 1920s prices.

HBO partner Caesars Atlantic City and parent company Harrah’s Entertainment are offering special “Boardwalk Empire” promotions. These deals might just help to further revitalize the once glamorous playground of the East Coast. Click here to see Boardwalk Empire packages around the US.

And what would a proper marketing plan be without a sweepstakes powered by an interactive website? Visit the Boardwalk Empire interactive, Prohibition-themed website (www.BoardwalkEmpireAC.com) to view trailers from the series, learn about special Boardwalk offers and enter to win the “Boardwalk Empire” Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will “live like the king of the boardwalk” with access to his or her own personalized suite at Caesars Atlantic City for a full year. Five first prize winners will receive “Boardwalk Empire” weekends at Caesars, including airfare, limo transportation between New York and Atlantic City, suite accommodations, a “stocked bar,” a Bloomingdale’s shopping spree and dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s.

Chris Spadaccini, Vice President Advertising and Promotions, HBO, explains this marketing strategy by noting, “When it came time to develop a marketing strategy for the series, we looked for partners whose history and brand aligned with the period or illustrated an important theme within the series.  The partnership with Bloomingdale’s allows us to promote Boardwalk Empire and their Fall line inspired by the 1920s  in a unique and unprecedented way.”

If you’re in New York City, check out the store windows at Bloomingdale’s New York and the 1920s inspired scenes in the windows. “Boardwalk Empire” cast members Michael K Williams and Vincent Piazza are also featured on the cover of Bloomies fall Men’s Catalogue.  Look for the catalogue in the stores.  I wonder if the real-life crime boss,  Enoch “Nucky” Johnson, who the character of Nucky Thompson is based on,  shopped at Bloomingdales for his suits. It was there when he was running Atlantic City.