MAY/JUNE 2005


Christmas tree growers see increase from The Polar Express promotion

For the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) and New Holland, The Polar Express cross-promotional program they were involved in last year with Warner Bros. Pictures could be dubbed "The Polar Success." The program, which promoted Tom Hank's The Polar Express movie as well as the use of real Christmas trees, played an important role in growers experiencing a significant increase in the sales of real trees during the 2004 holiday season. For New Holland, the publicity introduced many non-farmers to the New Holland line of compact tractors.

Clark Rollins, service manager at Corvallis New Holland (left) and Regional Sales Manager Mark Good presented the keys to The Polar Express Snowplow/Mower to Robert and Hilary White.

New Holland's most prominent association with the promotion was the designation of a New Holland Boomer™ sub-compact tractor as the official Limited Edition The Polar Express Snowplow/Mower. This New Holland TZ18 sub-compact tractor, specially decorated with custom designed The Polar Express artwork on its snow blade, hood, fenders and ballasting box, was the grand prize in an online contest.

The winner is...

The theme of The Polar Express is "I believe" and nowhere is the "I believe" spirit more prevalent than in rural and agricultural communities. Robert and Hilary White, selected as the winners of The Polar Express Snowplow/Mower by a random Internet drawing, are exhibiting the "I believe" spirit by sharing their prize with their friends and neighbors New Holland's association with the NCTA involves another national contest, called "Help Santa Find the Perfect Real Tree". Jointly sponsored by the NCTA and New Holland, the contest asked children (in various age categories ranging from 6 to 16 years old) to take a picture of their family in front of their fresh, real Christmas tree, write a story about why the tree is special or "perfect" to them, and send it to the NCTA. The grand prize winner of this contest will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

“We believe”

Dear New Holland,

With The Polar Express theme "I believe," we are overwhelmed with awe of winning your New Holland tractor.

"We believe" we are meant to share our gift with other small farmers and backyard gardeners. This is too good to keep only to ourselves.

We hope you enjoyed meeting our in-laws and neighbors, who will also reap the rewards of your most generous gift. The limited edition is a precious work of art. You have been so good to us! Hilary and Robert White Corvallis, Oregon