We have often ranted about the
Scottish Borders Tourist Board and its unimaginative slogan :' The Borders-Scotland's Favourite Short Break destination' .40 minutes long enough?
Glad to report that its successor 'VisitScotland Borders' has got off to a good start by winning an award for PR Excellence at the Marketing Excellence Awards Scotland last week-according to the
Berwickshire News. Two 'initiatives' caught the Judges' eye: The creation of a dress made entirely from leaves from the region's trees-and the appointment of Borders Dog Ambassador. What excellent ideas-the dress made of leaves will have male visitors flocking here in their thousands if worn by a Page 3 girl in the Autumn months and the Dog Ambassador is surely a unique idea. A Borders terrier presumably-His or Her Excellency Sir (or Lady) Whatsit Canine representing the region at public functions. Presumably he or she will have to carry their own little plastic bag unless the Aide de Cur is issued with a suitably posh pooper scooper-what a social cachet to have this noble beast in attendance at your function. Certainly more imaginative, in my view, than the rather embarrassing Paxton Ted, lurking around Paxton House, which I am told is a large man in a silly suit We await with interest the announcement of the chosen Cur (perhaps better locally to be known as a Kerr?) and his/her job description.
The PR team which thought up these brilliant ideas now 'officially ranks as amongst the most talented marketing groups in Scotland' Says their publicity. Bully on them. More initiatives please.
