Kidifornia
March 2019
It's no secret that California is the ultimate family playground, where kids can be kids – and adults can be too. So Visit California renamed the state "Kidifornia" as part of an integrated platform to promote family travel to the state. Led by the global broadcast TV commercial, "Parents Love It," accompanied by dedicated content on owned channels, digital media partnerships and global earned media efforts, the California Family Initiative showcases the world-class attractions and can't-miss destinations that inspire kids and parents alike year-round.
Background
In February 2016, Visit California launched an integrated global initiative targeted at families. Centered around a new creative platform – “Kidifornia” – and deployed across paid, owned, earned and travel trade channels, programming builds on five years of success targeting family travelers and offers new potential to inspire this valuable target audience in fresh ways. To better understand the achievements of Visit California’s family program to date, it is useful to look at historical research and planning efforts used to shape strategy and early program development, along with key performance indicators demonstrating success in reaching and influencing this segment.
Visit California’s Family Initiative keys in on the idea of California as the ultimate family playground, with messaging highlighting the unparalleled roster of kid-friendly experiences across the state. Ultimately, the initiative showcases the abundant experiences suited to every family member.
Strategic Approach
Help turn California into “Kidifornia”
California travel and tourism industry partners can connect with the #Kidifornia platform and leverage messaging in your own destination or business.
Looking ahead, Visit California will partner with National Geographic on a unique original content program aimed to raise awareness of California as the ultimate family vacation destination.
Here’s how:
1. Engage on social
- Resurface kid-focused/kid-friendly content already developed in your arsenal of owned content. Articles, itineraries, photography can all be repurposed under the umbrella “California is now Kidifornia, where kids rule vacation!”
- Some examples: "We’re joining @visitcalifornia in renaming California to Kidifornia"; “California has renamed itself Kidifornia, because it’s the most kid-friendly place for vacation”; “California is now Kidifornia, where kids rule vacation.”
- Start to use #Kidifornia on all family-friendly social posts from owned channels and encourage fan base to share their #Kidifornia experiences from your area.
2. Localize a press release
- Help spread the word about your local kid-friendly destination offerings by localizing the Visit California template Kidifornia press release and contact information before sending it out to your media contacts.
