Gros Morne Museum to Launch Marketing Campaign

The Gros Morne Wildlife Museum, with support from the Provincial Government, is launching a marketing campaign to build on the positive feedback received from visitors in its first year of operation. The marketing campaign marks an important step in increasing awareness and traffic to the Rocky Harbour-based museum.

"Whether your target audience is local or international, marketing is a critical component to the success of any business or organization," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "Recognizing its importance, we are working closely with businesses like the Gros Morne Wildlife Museum to deliver integrated marketing campaigns with the objective of increasing awareness and, ultimately, visitor traffic to these facilities."

The Provincial Government's $15,362 investment in the marketing campaign will enable the owners to re-design the museum's website, develop a new brochure and signage, and create a new logo.

"With this funding assistance, we are able to market our unique venue more extensively than we ever thought possible," said Jennifer Shears, Manager, Gros Morne Wildlife Museum. "With increased marketing, we are looking forward to another stellar tourism season."

The museum opened in summer 2009 to thousands of visitors, receiving great reviews for the authenticity of its wilderness scenes, which contain over 100 life-size animals, including moose, a polar bear, caribou, puffins, black bears, fox, lynx, coyotes, seabirds, beavers, fishes, and the marten. The museum also houses a gift boutique where visitors can purchase the works of local artisans.

"In operation for just a single season, the Gros Morne Wildlife Museum has already made a great contribution to the social and economic growth of the area," said Wallace Young, MHA, St. Barbe. "Its work to preserve and interpret our valued provincial wildlife and natural heritage is a unique addition to the region's tourism product."

For more information on the museum, please visit www.grosmornewildlifemuseum.com. 

This initiative was funded through the Business and Market Development Program (BMDP), which through Budget 2009: Building on Our Strong Foundation had $1 million available investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program provides new entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses with matching funding to help them acquire the necessary expertise to pursue new business ideas and markets.

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2010 02 04                                                  11:05 a.m.