Local Marketing Doesn't Work ... oh really?

Excuse me for disagreeing.
Bad local marketing doesn't work.
But clever, innovative local marketing - aimed at the locals - most certainly works. Check this out:

Adam Spencer Wins Melbourne Cup for Snails
'Over 50 punters turned up to watch the running of the Melbourne Cup for snails at Tim’s Garden Centre in Campbelltown on Saturday.
Snails had to race over 300mm in any direction to win the race. The course was sprayed with beer before each race because everybody knows that snails“love a wet track”.
The cup winning snail, “Blah Blah,” was trained by Adam Spencer, aged 4 from Ingleburn. This jockey-less snail had stewards in a spin when it slid over the top of another snail on its way to glory.
Second place went to “Slimy” who was trained by Ahlana Sklenar aged 8 from Narellan vale. Third place went to “Lightning” who was trained by Marnie Johnson aged 4 from Ambarvale.
Every child who entered a snail in the race donated one of their much loved toys to Lifeline’s Christmas Toy Appeal.
The Melbourne Cup for snails had been postponed for 7 years because during the drought it was impossible to find a snail willing to race.
Most people come away from the event shocked because snail racing really is exciting.'
They got local press in the MacArthur Chronicle and who knows how much goodwill from the locals...and something the children, parents and snail trainers will talk about for a lifetime!

Still think local marketing doesn't work?