• by Nina Lentini , December 17, 2008

On the surface, Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, New York's Duane Reade chain of stores and the smash hit Broadway musical "Chicago" appear to have little in common. Nevertheless, they are teaming on a holiday promotion designed to benefit them all.

 

 

 

Cast members of "Chicago" will appear at the Duane Reade in Times Square today from 3 to 4 p.m. and at the store at Broadway and 50th to sign autographs and to highlight a buy-three, get-one-free ticket discount promotion when customers purchase a 12-pack, 1.5-liter, or 20-ounce Coca-Cola product during the month of December. Tickets may be purchased now for performances through March, a spokesperson says.

In addition to the cast members, street teams from WPLJ radio will be on site to hand out promotional materials and a "Chicago" CD to participating consumers.

The buy-three, get-one-free promotion is an exclusive partnership between Coca-Cola and Duane Reade. Participating consumers also will receive a free "Chicago" original cast recording CD ($19.99 value) with each four-ticket purchase. More details may be found at www.theCoca-Colacompany.com, or chicagothemusical.com.

Additional "Chicago" cast appearances are scheduled for Saturday at noon at the store located at Columbus and West 75th.

The Coke spokesperson says Duane Reade was chosen because it is "quintessential New York, and what is more New York than Broadway?"

He said that a consumer analysis showed that the Duane Reade consumer indexes high with live theater, and in particular, Broadway shows.

The offer will also be promoted on ChicagotheMusical.com, WPLJ.com, DuaneReade.com, on WPLJ with promotional commercials, and on Duane Reade's in-store radio. The tickets must be purchased before Dec. 31.

The WPLJ street teams are partnering with the cast of "Chicago" to make five store appearances to broadcast and promote the offer to consumers live.