NorthLink Ferries is to kick off its 2008 marketing campaign with a multi-media mix of Spring promotions encompassing TV, radio, newspaper, magazine and on-line platforms – all of which highlight the unique tourism attractions of the Northern Isles.

New 10 and 30-second TV ads have been commissioned from the Edinburgh-based visual communications specialists Muckle Hen. The ads will air from February 18 through to mid-April on STV and Channel 4 in Scotland.

The TV campaign, featuring a family and a young couple, provides a strong focus on the unique landscapes, culture, wildlife and outdoor activities available on Shetland and Orkney.

The consumer message, aimed at those who might never have thought to sample what’s on offer, is that Orkney and Shetland are easily accessible and that there’s lots to see and do in a safe and clean environment.

High quality advertisements, focusing strongly on the stunning Northern Isles scenery, will appear in leading daily and Sunday titles.

There are also plans for advertisements to appear in UK-wide trade travel publications and for holiday inserts in speciality supermarket and newspaper magazines.

NorthLink marketing projects manager Elaine Tulloch said: “We’ve compiled a very robust marketing programme which will once again highlight the world-class attractions and holiday opportunities which the Northern Isles have to offer.

“We’re continuing to build upon what we have achieved since taking over the service in 2002. We’ve conducted a great deal of research into how the Northern Isles and our own offering is perceived. We’re always mindful of the fact that the ferry services are, first and foremost, for the benefit of islanders but we also have a unique opportunity here to show those who have never made the visit just what they are missing – and that can only be good for the economy of both Orkney and Shetland.”