Giving away money is an easy way to get the public's attention, and it worked for Wachovia and its Way2Save Challenge Tour. Taking over Bryant Park's Fountain Terrace on Thursday, the Charlotte, North Carolina-based financial company gave out $1,000 to 10 contestants and awarded a $50,000 grand prize to the finalist of the nationwide challenge, all in an effort to promote its new savings program. The New York tour stop rounded out the bank's 12-city cross-country tour, which started at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles and traveled to Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Washington, D.C., before hitting Manhattan.At the center of the event was a 35-foot-high, 36-foot-wide "money machine"—a Hollywood Squares-like structure comprised of eight boxes in which participants tried to grab fake money blown about by wind machines. The design and fabrication of the 20,000-pound piece was overseen by the promotional tour's producer, Synergy Events, and involved 40 workers and 12 hours to assemble.
As the structure traveled to different cities, the production team made sure that it complied with the codes in each state as well as the International Building Code.
Tents surrounding the main structure held other activities for park visitors including a photo studio, a golf putting area, a place for free massages, and an information booth with pamphlets on the program.
As the structure traveled to different cities, the production team made sure that it complied with the codes in each state as well as the International Building Code.
Tents surrounding the main structure held other activities for park visitors including a photo studio, a golf putting area, a place for free massages, and an information booth with pamphlets on the program.
Wachovia's money machine
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Placed in front of Bryant Park's fountain and facing Sixth Avenue, Wachovia's "money machine" drew plenty of foot traffic to the promotion.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Competitors scrambled inside individual booths of the money machine, trying to catch as many fake $10 and $20 bills as they could.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Eight individual booths—a middle ninth booth was left unused—made up the giant structure.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Plexiglass enclosed the front of each booth so that the audience could see participants play.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
Other parts of the promotion included a putting area where visitors played for prizes like golf balls, pens, key chains, and a piggy bank with $1 in it.
Photo: Tara Greenwald for BizBash
