Attend the HSMAI Adrian Awards Gala: January 26, 2009, at the New York Marriott Marquis, and see who the 2008 Adrian Awards Competition winners will be. Jonathan M. Tisch, Chairman & CEO of Loews Hotels, and Florence Quinn, President and Founder of Quinn & Co., will also be honored as Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. New awards to be given out this year will be the Google Wisdom of the Crowd Award and the Tourism Cares Sustainability Award.
Visit www.adrianawards.com to reserve your seats.
The 18th annual Adrian Awards Gala was presented before a record-setting attendance of 1,004 top industry professionals on January 28. 2008, at the New York Marriott Marquis. The black-tie extravaganza, that celebrates travel and hospitality marketing excellence, was presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI -- www.hsmai.org).
During the Adrian Awards, renowned as the "Oscars" of travel and hospitality marketing, 19 platinum awards were handed out for advertising, public relations and Web marketing. From the field of Platinum Winners came the coveted "Best of Show" in each category, including:
Advertising "Best of Show"
Delta Airlines -- SS+K (agency)
Facing bankruptcy, hostile takeover threats and fierce competition from low-cost carriers, this airline looked to recharge its brand and its workforce. Its innovative "Change" campaign was honest about the sad state of flying and promised to keep changing. It was a daring departure that transitioned its advertising from old-fashioned and traditional to bold, stylish and surprising, with a strong and powerful message about change.
Public Relations "Best of Show":
Zero-Gravity -- M. Silver Associates Inc. (agency)
With plans to redesign its aircraft for more passengers, this corporation was looking for mass appeal. Sending renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who spent his career pondering the nature of gravity from a wheelchair, off on a weightless flight took media coverage to 'the outer limits' -- it was even among the "Top 10 Googled" items of the day. Looking to broaden its base beyond space enthusiasts and thrill seekers, this company cleverly staged a historic flight of fancy, taking millions of readers and viewers on a wild and weightless ride.
Web Marketing "Best of Show"
www.24nola.com (New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau) -- Trumpet (agency)
"Experience this city like the locals." That was the goal of this interactive website (www.24nola.com) and itinerary planning tool that celebrates the endless things to see, hear, eat and do any hour of the day. With "Editor's Picks" from local experts, visitors get to create 24-hour custom itineraries not found in local guidebooks.
During the evening, the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented, including the Albert E. Koehl Award for advertising, which was bestowed on Ian Schrager, chairman and CEO of Ian Schrager Company, and the Winthrop W. Grice Award for public relations excellence, which went to Laura Davidson, founder and president of LDPR.
For the second consecutive year, Yahoo! bestowed their Big Idea Chair, exemplifying unique and outstanding work. This year's Big Idea Chair honor went to Hilton Hotels. DEPARTURES magazine presented the DEPARTURES Magazine Luxury Marketing Achievement Award for the most effective and creative advertising to the affluent market to Preferred Hotel Group. TravelCLICK paid tribute to the best integrated eMarketing program in the hotel industry by awarding Georgetown Inn, an LXR Hotels & Resorts property, as eMarketer of the Year.
The largest travel-related marketing competition of its kind, the Adrian Awards embraces every segment of the industry, including hotels, airlines, cruise lines, car rental companies, destinations, credit card companies and more. The competition attracted over 1,300 entries from around the world.
Additional information about the competition and Gala can be found at www.adrianawards.com and www.HSMAI.org.
Video courtesy of Paint The Town Red c/o GO West Events and Multimedia
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