Kids Go HoJo with Sega

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Kids Go HoJo with Sega was a Sega of America-sponsored marketing campaign for the American hotel/motel chain Howard Johnson's, produced by Californian marketing firm Strottman International and ran during the summers of 1993, 1994, and 1995.

Campaign

Born from a venture between Sega of America and the American chain of hotels and motels Howard Johnson's, Kids Go HoJo with Sega was a unique summer promotion intended to increase room sales at the company's properties by making the chain seen more enticing to the children of possible lodgers. The promotion ran in all Howard Johnson's across the United States of America and Canada over three periods: From May 24th through September 6th, 1993, from May 27th through September 5th, 1994, and from May 27th through September 4th, 1995.^[1] During the promotion, all the company's hotels, motels, and inns were equipped with life-size cutouts of Sonic the Hedgehog displayed in the lobby for guests to take souvenir photographs with.

Sega provided Howard Johnson's properties with Sega Game Gears and a small library of games for guests to play at no charge. Through the Kids Go HoJo Fun Club, children were also provided with a collectible series of FunPacks containing Sega-themed puzzles, games, booklets, and toys, and a free subscription to Sega Visions magazine. Additionally, a pair of VHS promotional features were available to rent or purchase - Sega Game Gear Tips Volume 1 and Sega Game Gear Tips Volume 2.

Game Gear rentals

List of rentable games

Cheese Cat-Astrophe Starring Speedy Gonzales
Ecco: The Tides of Time
The Lion King
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
NFL '95
Phantom 2040
Ristar
Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble
Taz in Escape from Mars
Tempo Jr.
World Series Baseball
World Series Baseball '95
X-Men: GamesMaster's Legacy

FunPacks

Larger chains of hotels will often provide the children of guests with small collections of activities and toys in an effort to assist guests in keeping restless children occupied during long stays. Howard Johnson's is no different, and to coincide with Kids Go HoJo with Sega, branded their existing FunPacks with Sega-related properties. Coloring books featured Ecco the Dolphin and Tempo, and activity books prominently featured the character Ristar.

Sega Game Gear Tips

Main article: Sega Game Gear Tips Volume 1, Sega Game Gear Tips Volume 2

History

Created by marketer Michael Berreth of American advertising agency Strottman International^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5], Kids Go HoJo with Sega was supported by a $3,500,000 advertising campaign, including commercials on national television, print advertisements, and radio promotions, as well as local, grassroots promotions in smaller advertising areas.^[6]

The campaign was largely a success, with Howard Johnson's seeing a notable 9% increase in room sales, resulting in the chain becoming the leader of its respective consumer lodging market.^[7]

Legacy

For its accomplishments with the Kids Go HoJo with Sega campaign, Strottman International was awarded the CSPA Award of Excellence for Best Worldwide Traffic-Building Promotion.