PROMOTIONS THAT WORK

Truckin' on the Table By taking a regular pool table, six pool balls and a remote-controlled truck with a six-inch pool cue on the front, Thompson Lanes Ltd. in Thompson, Man., Canada, found a way to breathe life back into its pool tables. In the Truck/Pool Game, contestants get three minutes to zoom their trucks around the pool table, sinking as many balls in numbered order as they can. "All the teams get around the table, cheering and yelling their teammate on, and the crowd is doing the same," General Manager Frederick Stuart says. Stuart enlists a local car dealership to sponsor the contests and give away shirts and hats to the winner. Additional prizes include coolers and shooters that Stuart plans to promote the next week. With a remote microphone in hand, Stuart raises the energy level by egging on the contestants and the crowd. "We don't ever announce a specific night for the promo," he says. "We just wait till we have a full house, and then spring it on them. That way, people are always coming in to find out when the contest is, or they make sure to be here every night so they don't miss it." New Band Talent Search Big publicity and the warm feeling of helping upstarts get a break are two strong reasons to try this one. At The Ranch in Midland, Texas, unsigned bands who participated in the Ranch's Songwriter & New Band Talent Search received prime time airplay on a local station for two months. Listeners voted for the top five bands with ballots available at the competition's sponsors. When the top five winners were chosen, The Ranch hosted a battle of the bands contest. Visit The Ranch online at www.theranchmidland.com.