It’s Time for Quarterfinals Marketing

‘Let’s get ready for advance into quarterfinals’

Ever since the Korean national soccer team’s successful advancement in to the second round of the World Cup finals, many corporations and financial companies are quick at launching marketing programs hoping Korea team to make it to the quarterfinals.

From giveaway cars to movie ticket discount, the content and scale of the new marketing program is more diverse than the previous ‘Last 16 Marketing’

If the Korea team gets on the quarterfinals, the Daewoo Motors will exempt the remaining allotment interest of the 2763 purchasers of NubiraⅡ in last year’s May and June. Also they plan to provide discounts for balance payment within one million won limit.

The Kookmin Bank has decided to giveaway refrigerators, flat screen TVs, dishwashers and etc. to 6,500 clients among the applicants for ‘Victory 2002 FIFA World Cup Account’, those who have predict the Korea team’s advancement to quarterfinals.

The Koram Bank has decided to not to charge various banking interest, including Internet banking interest between June 20th and 22nd. If the Korea team makes it to semifinals, the bank plans to exempt banking interest between 25th and 30th also.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel has put up eight bottles of high priced thirty-years vintage Ballantine whisky as giveaway prizes. Lotte Hotel’s outdoor lounge plans to provide 500cc of draft beer for 8 won (with tax, 10 won) and also plans to extend their normal operation hours from 10:30p.m. to dawn next day if the team makes it to quarterfinals on June 18th Daejun match.

The new quarterfinals marketing of the various distribution companies are also splendid.

The Hyundai Home Shopping channel has launched ‘Hope for Quarterfinals Festival’.

From 15th to 18th customers who purchase products through their live broadcast will be allowed 10% discount and thirty-nine brand new ‘Click’ from Hyundai Motors will be provided as giveaway prizes.

From 15th to 18th Korea vs. Italy match, the CJ39 Shopping channel has decided to pick out 8,000 customers randomly to give back 8% of their payments.

The LG Home Shopping channel also plans to pick out 6,000 customers give back 200,000 won if the Korea team advance in to quarterfinals and 30,000 won if they fail.

The Lotte Department Store has opened ‘Prayer for Quarterfinals 8,000 won Sale’ till 16th. The LG Fashion Ltd. has decided to select eight customers in each chain store to whom they will handout gift certificate for 80,000 won each.

‘Mega Box Cineplex’ cinema in Samsung-dong, Seoul plans to charge only 4,000 won on 18th for those customers wearing red T-shirts. Meanwhile on 15th, there were many ‘Free Events’ in various part of Seoul. Lotte World in Jamshil-dong has allowed free admission to customers wearing red clothes on 15th alone. The Lotte Department Store has handout 16,000 free ice creams and drinks.

Hyung-June Park lovesong@donga.com