Every book has the potential to reach the right audience when given the right plan. Earlier this spring, Where is Wyatt?, a heartfelt children’s story by author Ashley Kidd, lit up Times Square. Not by chance, but by strategy.
This campaign was a product of our full-service promotional approach. It combined digital, print, retail, and media tactics to position the book where it belongs: in the hands of readers who care.
For authors wondering what goes into a campaign like this, here’s an inside look.
A Plan with Purpose
Every project begins with the same question: Who’s the audience?
From there, we craft a genre-specific plan. In this case, Where is Wyatt? needed to reach parents, teachers, counselors, and early childhood educators. That shaped everything from the visuals to the media messaging.
Ashley Kidd’s story focuses on connection, safety, and emotional awareness. We highlighted these themes across all platforms, helping readers understand not just what the book is about, but why it matters.
Building a Professional Author Brand
Before launching any campaign, we make sure the author is ready to meet their audience. That includes:
- A mobile-friendly author website
- Professional headshots and brand visuals
- Author social media setup and guidance
- A clean, downloadable media kit
- Business cards, sell sheets, and postcards with QR codes
For Where is Wyatt?, this meant creating a brand that felt both trustworthy and personal. We wanted readers to see Ashley not just as a writer, but as someone who truly cares about children and their stories.
Creating Materials that Open Doors
Our promotions rely on more than just words. We create content that helps authors stand out, including:
- A book trailer
- Print-ready marketing collateral
- Social media banners and branded templates
- Targeted press releases
- Interview prep and pitch development
All of these were part of Kidd’s promotional toolkit. They helped her connect with schools, bookstores, parenting blogs, and podcast hosts across the country.
Going Public with a Times Square Billboard
One of the highlights of the Where is Wyatt? launch was a full-screen digital billboard placement in Times Square. It ran during the book’s release window, catching the attention of thousands of passersby. The biggest moment came when Ashley Kidd stood beneath it herself.
We timed the display to align with Ashley’s campaign rollout, so she could be there in person. What none of us expected was the turnout. Fans who had followed her journey online showed up. Some brought copies of the book to sign. Others brought their children and shared what the story had meant to them.
The author was moved to tears more than once. She took photos, gave hugs, and listened as parents and teachers talked about the book’s impact. She later said she felt “overwhelmed, in the best way” by the warmth and support she received that day.
That’s the value of this kind of placement. It’s not just about being seen. It’s about making space for genuine interaction. When that happens, the story becomes more than a book, it becomes a shared experience.
What this Means for Authors
Seeing Where is Wyatt? on a Times Square screen was a career milestone for Ashley Kidd. But for us, the most meaningful moment came afterward when she met her readers.
That face-to-face experience mattered. The emotion in the crowd. The hugs. The thank-yous. The happy tears. Those are things you can’t plan. But you can create the space for them to happen.
That’s what we do. We build the foundation. We get the word out. And we help authors be present when their book finds its way into someone’s life.
After the Times Square feature, we continued with:
- Email marketing to subscribers
- Podcast bookings
- Blogger outreach
- Influencer reviews
- Facebook and Instagram ad retargeting
Each step gave readers more chances to engage and discover the book. And because we track performance in real time, we were able to fine-tune the strategy as the campaign unfolded.
Turning Books into Movements
While no two campaigns look the same, our goal is always the same: to help authors get their books into the hands of the right readers and keep them there. We don’t rely on gimmicks or generic strategies. We listen, we plan, and we build a rollout that fits the author’s message and audience.
Our team covers all aspects of book promotion, from behind-the-scenes logistics to public-facing visibility. This includes detailed campaign mapping, design work, social strategy, and outreach to booksellers, podcasts, and press. We also manage deeper layers like audience retargeting, performance tracking, and distributor communication, things most authors don’t have the time or tools to handle alone.
Whether you’re looking for full-scale support or just need a few focused services, like a media kit, podcast pitch, or event coordination, we offer flexible packages built to meet your goals, not just check boxes. You bring the story. We bring the structure to help it reach and stay with your readers.
Final Thoughts
The Times Square launch of Where is Wyatt? didn’t just happen by chance. It came together because of thoughtful planning, a clear vision, and a team that truly understands how the book world works today.
At The Empire Publishers, we want every author to feel that same sense of pride. To look back and think, “That’s when everything clicked for my book.” Publishing your very first title? Or building on something you’ve already started? We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence. Reach out when you’re ready. We’re excited to be part of your journey.