MACON, Ga. — Visit Macon is hoping a new advertising campaign with Zaxby's brings a few more people to Macon this Cherry Blossom season. The campaign isn't about the chain's chicken — it's about their milkshakes.
With Macon in the national spotlight lately, travel writers rave about its southern charm and history. Visit Macon says the new campaign makes a difference.
"The idea is that they will only be available in Macon for an entire year," Marisa Rodgers with Visit Macon said.
They're also available in several other cities in Central Georgia — from Sandersville to Eastman and up to Forsyth. It's all part of a test to see if there's still an appetite out there for a Zaxby's milkshake. They've been off the menu a few years.
Rodgers says Zaxby's chose Central Georgia because of the number of stores and how well each one does. She says Zaxby's had a plan for how to promote it all.
"Taking over our website, of creating these tourism-style videos. They even put a milkshake in all of our hands on the staff page of the website," she explained.
They never went through with the last part, but everything else happened for a week. Even Macon Mayor Lester Miller got in on the action. He had a part in several of the video clips.
"It's one of those things where we can take joy in doing it. We can be a little silly when we need to, and certainly, there's some good spots in the commercial. But there are also some serious spots showing those great locations and people having fun in Macon," he said.
Rodgers says this, along with other recognition like getting the cover of Southern Living, shows people are looking at Macon.
"What better chance for a national brand to just promote our destination too. Just part of the fun idea they had, we've gotten a lot of traffic from it," she said.
Rodgers says there's plenty more to come over the next year if you haven't had your fill. She wouldn't say what those plans are.
The shakes themselves will be in the Macon area for the next year or so. If all goes well, they could be available nationwide.
A spokesperson for Zaxby's answered some of our questions via email. He says they hope the ads will reach a nationwide audience.
Rodgers clarified further. She says the TV spots are Georgia-focused. The social media campaign has a nationwide aim.