Elton John concert in New Plymouth hosts the longest distance radio competition

Cathy Dilbeck & Madison Throneberry from Arkansas were the final winners of a three week promotion that captivated the city of Little Rock. Mayor Stodola of Little Rock and Peter Tennent his counterpart in New Plymouth have been live on air in both countries sharing information on each others locations. An as a great by-product of the promotion they are talking about ‘sister city’ status.

The mother and daughter winners hardly knew about NZ and in their first radio interview expressed a quirky naivety about NZ but a real ‘over-the-top’ excitement on making the trip in December. As part of the prize the two not only won the air fares, travel luggage and expenses but will be part of a very few who get to meet & greet Sir Elton backstage before the concert. While in New Zealand they will travel to other North Island locations before being chaperoned by Venture Taranaki and accompanying the two local New Zealand winners also getting a chance to meet he superstar.

Promoter Phil Sprey at Capital C: Concerts went on to say, “ when we connected the two stations with the help of our American Office team we had no idea the event would grow into such a great travel and awareness promotion”, “everyone one involved got into the spirit of the competition and it just took off.”

With a month to go only 1500 seats remain with the expanded venue and unlike Wellington last year this year will see a range of special features added to the concert including special lighting effects to compliment the ‘Festival of Lights’ in Pukekura Park and a special presentation to the Rock Knight on behalf of local IWI.

As Sprey says, “ We always add a whole layer to make the concert an experience no one will ever forget,” the Bowl lends itself to such a production and we will deliver a memory that will be unique.”