Santa Claus Foundation believes that a Finnish
Father Christmas can be a genuine brand in a world
where Santas come by the dozen. The real Santa
brings joy to the children and helps a growing
number of partner companies to use the respected
trademark.
Santa's partners
Every year Santa Claus Foundation makes a donation to children in need. Companies that want to be identified as Santa’s partners make the donation possible. Santa Claus World is the commercial side of the foundation. It has since the year 2000 built a network of Finnish companies that comply with Santa’s promise: good products and services that take you to the festive and joyful mood of Christmas.
As a partner of Santa the companies can use the Foundation’s brand material and a large collection of unique artwork in their promotions and products. Santa has over 80 partners like Finnair, Marimekko, Silja, and Saarioinen to name a few. According to a market study almost 60 % of Finns recognize the trademark of the Santa Claus Foundation. Even the Washington Post has credited the foundation’s efforts in comparison to those of other Nordic countries.
Business planning
The Foundation has also a mission to create a positive image of Finland as an attractive destination for travelers. Snow, reindeers, and Father Christmas are an inseparable part of the Finnish winter. But Santa could create excitement throughout the year. The Finnish Tourist Board, MEK, is a keen supporter and partner to Santa Claus World.
Every year Santa Claus Foundation makes a donation to children in need. Companies that want to be identified as Santa’s partners make the donation possible. Santa Claus World is the commercial side of the foundation. It has since the year 2000 built a network of Finnish companies that comply with Santa’s promise: good products and services that take you to the festive and joyful mood of Christmas.
As a partner of Santa the companies can use the Foundation’s brand material and a large collection of unique artwork in their promotions and products. Santa has over 80 partners like Finnair, Marimekko, Silja, and Saarioinen to name a few. According to a market study almost 60 % of Finns recognize the trademark of the Santa Claus Foundation. Even the Washington Post has credited the foundation’s efforts in comparison to those of other Nordic countries.
Business planning
The Foundation has also a mission to create a positive image of Finland as an attractive destination for travelers. Snow, reindeers, and Father Christmas are an inseparable part of the Finnish winter. But Santa could create excitement throughout the year. The Finnish Tourist Board, MEK, is a keen supporter and partner to Santa Claus World.
So far Santa Claus World has been operating mainly
in Finland and with local partners. The board of
the foundation felt a need to plan the future in a
global perspective. We were asked to help in
creating ”Santa’s Business Plan”. The completed
plan outlined how the foundation’s principles would
be concretized commercially in the future.
Global and virtual
Based on the business plan, Santa Claus World is focusing more and more on the electronic media. Santa’s partners have an extranet for information delivery and networking with other partners. The public Internet site is going to have a more substantial role in the future.
Pekka Pitkänen, the CEO of Santa Claus World hosted a workshop in October 2008 for Santa’s partners. ”We brainstormed almost a hundred ideas that could add value to Santa’s partners,” he says. ”Our long-term goal is to make the Finnish Santa known in other parts of the world, especially Asia. In a world of mass production genuine things offer a competitive edge,” he concludes.
If you are interested to know more about Santa Claus World, visit www.santaclausplaza.com.
Aarni Heiskanen
Global and virtual
Based on the business plan, Santa Claus World is focusing more and more on the electronic media. Santa’s partners have an extranet for information delivery and networking with other partners. The public Internet site is going to have a more substantial role in the future.
Pekka Pitkänen, the CEO of Santa Claus World hosted a workshop in October 2008 for Santa’s partners. ”We brainstormed almost a hundred ideas that could add value to Santa’s partners,” he says. ”Our long-term goal is to make the Finnish Santa known in other parts of the world, especially Asia. In a world of mass production genuine things offer a competitive edge,” he concludes.
If you are interested to know more about Santa Claus World, visit www.santaclausplaza.com.
Aarni Heiskanen
The
Gift of Santa to the children of the
world
The Gift of Santa is a charity gift donated by the board of Santa Claus Foundation, to be presented annually to the needy children of the world; the first one was given in the year 2001.
The Gift of Santa is a charity gift donated by the board of Santa Claus Foundation, to be presented annually to the needy children of the world; the first one was given in the year 2001.
Santa Claus
from Finland
