The best and brightest were honored at the recent SoutheastTourism Society's Shining Example award banquet, and the TunicaConvention and Visitors Bureau shone above the rest.
Webster Franklin, president and CEO of the Tunica Convention &Visitors Bureau, accepted the Visual Excellence Award given for the"Take Me Away to Tunica" advertising campaign.
"In what some might consider a risky move, we launched a highlyemotional, visually appealing advertising campaign as the economyslipped into one of the worst downturns in the past decade,"Franklin explained. "The inspiration for the campaign and updatedvisual appearance came from the opening line of a song written forTunica titled 'Take Me Away to Tunica' and recorded by the musicalgroup Crossin' Dixon."
After launching the music video and 30 second television spots,the 2007 and 2008 campaigns were extremely successful.
"Our hotels have maintained high levels of occupancy, attractionshave increased visitations, and our golf courses have maintainedyear over year levels of play. These results have had a positiveeconomic impact for Tunica, the state of Mississippi, and theSoutheast," Franklin said.
President and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society (STS) BillHardman agreed. He said the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureauhad stiff competition for this award, but the return on investmentfrom the campaign combined with the visual quality made this entryshine above the rest.
"Shining Example Awards highlight some of the best work in traveland tourism, and winners truly set examples that others in theindustry can follow," said Hardman. "Showcasing great work isimportant because tourism is the largest, second-largest or third-largest industry in every Southeastern state."
The "Take Me Away to Tunica" campaigns made a record 23.3 millionbranding impressions from TV, print, and Internet advertising,marketing and public relations efforts.
The Tunica Convention & Visitors Bureau will continue to use the"Take Me Away to Tunica" message in 2009.
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