HASTINGS Hotels and AV Browne are celebrating after winning the Best Brand Building category and being Highly Commended in Best Integrated Campaign for the heart-warming ‘Doorman and the Duck’ Christmas campaign at the prestigious Chartered Institute of Marketing (Ireland) Awards.

The panel of judges included some of the most senior marketers within the industry in Ireland, and there was particularly stiff competition in the Brand Building Category from renowned brands like Tayto, the National Trust, Translink, Tobermore, Bloc Blinds and The Irish News.

Julie Hastings, Director of Marketing for Hastings Hotels said: “The ‘Doorman and the Duck’ campaign won the hearts of people across Ireland and around the world and we are delighted to have received this fantastic recognition. To date, the campaign video has received over 2.3 million hits on our own YouTube Channel and another 1.3 million on AV Browne’s.

We have worked with AV Browne for many years and their strategic and creative vision for our brand and consistent delivery for us has made them a trusted partner to Hastings Hotels, and this has been demonstrated by these awards. We were absolutely delighted with the ‘Doorman and the Duck’ campaign and to win against such strong competition is a real testament to our partnership and the truly integrated approach to the marketing campaign”

Joanne Curran, Marketing Director, AV Browne added: “We’re thrilled to finish this difficult year on a high with these hard-fought accolades alongside our client Hastings Hotels. The Christmas campaign ‘Doorman and the Duck’ campaign is a truly feel-good story that was the culmination of a three-year marketing strategy. It saw us move the campaign from a product and price based model, to an insight-led emotional creative approach combined with an efficient, trackable and content-heavy media strategy.

The approach was a real departure for Hastings Hotels and we are delighted that their trust in us to help them achieve unprecedented brand awareness and well above target Christmas gift card sales.”