TV TRAVEL Shop is running its first ever national
television campaign to kick-start aggressive expansion plans for next year.
It follows the launch of TV Travel Shop’s tour
operation Island Blue, headed up by ex-JMC’s Michael Vinales, which is licenced
to carry 30,000 passengers to Europe and Florida.
Chief executive officer Harry Goodman said the January
campaign was a “launch pad” for the rest of 2003’s plans to lift sales by 25%.
Last year TV Travel Shop only advertised on cable and satellite channels.
It is understood to involve sponsorship of ITV’s
programming on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day in a deal worth more than
£500,000.
Next year’s expansion will be spearheaded by
ex-Airtours Holidays managing director Seamus Conlon, who officially started
last week. He plans to broaden TV Travel Shop’s portfolio by entering the short
break, cruise, ski and accommodation-only markets for the first time.