Successful first season for 96FM Million Dollar Kick promotion has team looking forward to 2017

96FM’s Million Dollar Kick – one of the biggest local promotions ever seen in Perth – has wrapped up with one ultimate AFL fan given the chance to kick for goal and pocket one million dollars.

It was the culmination of a multi-platformed five-month campaign across print, TV, radio and social streams which saw Samantha Cullen given the opportunity to line up 20 metres from goal, and kick for the cash.

Samantha secured her spot by registering a code word which had appeared on the big screen during West Coast Eagles home games this 2016 Premiership season, and simultaneously live on the Channel 7 broadcast. By listening to 96FMs Carmen & Fitzi, Samantha won her spot to take part in the 96FM Million Dollar Kick, with just 11 finalists making it through.

Last week during a West Coast Eagles open training session at Domain Stadium, Cullen faced more than 300 fans and the entire West Coast Eagles team as she lined up. Despite her best aim, she ultimately just missed the big sticks, but still scored $10,000 for her effort.

Hosted by 96FMs Carmen & Fitzi and joined by Eagles defender Will Schofield, the Big Kick took place after a round robin handball elimination challenge to decide who got the chance kick for the cash.

The successful partnership between 96FM, Channel 7, The West Australian and the West Coast Eagles is already confirmed to continue into 2017.

ARN Commercial Director for Perth, Rick Dalton said the innovative campaign was indicative of the strength of the media partners involved.

“The 96FM Million Dollar Kick 2016 was a resounding first-to-market, media owner led success. Between Channel 7, The West Australian, West Coast Eagles and 96FM, we delivered a million dollar multi-platformed campaign, giving one lucky fan the chance to kick for one million dollars. Although unfortunately Samantha’s kick missed, our ambition is to build on our promotion and within the next five years give away the cash.”

Seven West Media WA chief executive Chris Wharton said they were very happy with the outcomes and looking forward to the event being bigger and better next year.

West Coast Eagles GM of Marketing, Tony Haselhurst, said the club was already looking forward to doing it again next season.

“The Million Dollar Kick campaign was a great success for the club that saw our players, fans and 96FM listeners come together to cheer on the lucky winner! We couldn’t have imagined a better way to kick start our 2016 finals campaign, and we look forward to making this event even bigger and better in 2017.”