The end of the year can symbolize a lot of things – a new beginning, the start of a different chapter in our lives, and the opportunity to recreate yourself in the year to come. Here at Breakaway, we see the end of the year as a chance to reflect on our achievements and appreciate our amazing, dedicated team. So with 2019 coming to an end, we think it’s time to give ourselves a pat on the back by recognizing Breakaway’s biggest accomplishments in the past year.
1. We Are Blood August Emergency Blood Drive
In August 2019, the El Paso community experienced a horrific tragedy as a mass shooting resulted in the death of 20 people and wounded another 26. We Are Blood, the largest blood bank in Central Texas, demonstrated its support by hosting an incredibly successful blood drive dedicated to the victims of the El Paso shooting. Breakaway PR was on hand before, during and after the day-long weekend drive which generated immense media coverage in the Greater Austin area and beyond.
2. Georgetown Influencer Visits
This year, Breakaway had a goal to make The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas become one of the most visited town squares in Texas. In order to do so, Breakaway connected with social media influencers to offer of an expense-free weekend getaway in Georgetown, Texas, where they captured Instagram-worthy photos and raved about their stay in blog posts, guides and vlogs. We also tried out something new; Georgetown partnered with Amanda Waltman to award one lucky follower with giveaway package including wine tasting at Grape Creek Winery, one night’s stay at Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel, 2 tickets to Inner Space Caverns, 2 massages at Spa Luxe, and more! Through this approach, more than hundreds of followers have discovered the highlights and must-sees in Georgetown.
3. Texas 4000 Summer 2019 Ride
Every summer, a fleet of Texas 4000 riders start the journey to Anchorage, Alaska with a mission to support the fight against cancer. Along the way, riders stop at various cancer research and treatment centers to donate grants, share their mission, and support those fighting the disease. This past summer, Texas 4000 donated $300,000 to institutions such as Texas Children’s Hospital, Dell Medical School, and Brent’s Place. Breakaway assisted those participating in the longest charity bicycle ride by spreading awareness of the cause, resulting in media coverage from Texas to Alaska, and boosting awareness (along with donations) for the campaign.
4. AIA Austin 2019 Homes Tour
AIA Austin’s Homes Tour is one of our favorite events of the year and 2019 was no exception. This year’s tour included 12 beautifully designed homes around Austin. Our job? Promote the annual Homes Tour through a variety of media platforms with the goal of increasing its awareness, especially among Austin’s many new residents, along with the number of attendees. The results? Another record-breaking year for weekend attendance along with a widespread increase in social media engagement including new followers.
5. Blue Genie Art Bazaar Influencer Night
A beloved Austin event, Blue Genie Art Bazaar opens every holiday season with a new array of unique, one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts. This past November, Breakaway spearheaded a social media influencer preview of the bazaar on November 25th. Through our careful selection of social media influencers and an eye-catching invitation, Breakaway was able to secure 10 high-impact attendees. More than 170,000 followers across 3 social media channels learned more about the offerings of the 2019 Bazaar. Blue Genie’s influencer night was a success and a blast for all those who attended, including A Taste of Koko.