ABC Television braved sub-zero temperatures to host its Winter Preview Party at the Mall of America last weekend.
The two-day event promoted primetime and daytime programming including Super Nanny, Blind Justice and General Hospital. Mall-goers played games, sent postcards (each highlighting a different show) to friends for free, and met show stars for autograph signings. ABC also conducted audience research, screening episodes of new shows for shoppers, who gave continuous feedback throughout each show via electronic keypads.
ABC also will reprise its Fun in the Sun tour this year with plans to visit six markets, up from five in 2004. The tour touts daytime programming with games and star appearances; ratings jumped in each market following tour stops last year. Lead Dog Marketing, New York City, handles the Fun in the Sun tour and the Winter Preview Party.