New Orleans, LA — New Orleans & Company won the 2024 Brand USA Outstanding Video Storytelling Award (Diversity) for its video series “Icons of New Orleans.'' The award was presented by Brand USA Chief Marketing Officer, Staci Mellman during a ceremony held during U.S. Travels’ ESTO (Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations) in Columbus, Ohio. ESTO is the leading annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals.

Some of the people integral in these productions include New Orleans & Company’s Jeremy Cooker, VP of Marketing & Special Projects; Mandy Barton, Manager of Marketing & Special Projects; Lauren Saizan, Editorial and Online Content Manager; and Dentsu’s Emily Uline. New Orleans-based Calm Dog Productions was also a tremendous partner for each production.

“I am so proud of our team for not just their work on this series but everything they do behind the scenes to showcase New Orleans culture bearers,” said Walt Leger III, President & CEO of New Orleans & Company. “Our people are what make New Orleans a special place to live, work, and visit. Sharing their stories is an honor for our team.”    

"Icons of New Orleans" highlights the vibrant and diverse community that makes New Orleans a unique and compelling destination. This captivating series introduces viewers to some of the city's most influential musicians, chefs, artists, and culture-bearers. From Black Masking Indians to diverse chefs and restaurant owners, the videos showcase the rich cultural tapestry and creativity that define New Orleans.

Staci Mellman, chief marketing officer for Brand USA, said, "We are proud to honor New Orleans & Company for their outstanding storytelling in 'Icons of New Orleans.' This series brilliantly captures the essence of New Orleans by celebrating the people who make it such a dynamic and welcoming place. In today’s travel landscape, we know that people from around the world seek out authentic cultural experiences and want to positively impact local communities. This series highlights the diversity and vibrant culture and showcases the city’s unique character.”

Brand USA’s Video Storytelling contest celebrates U.S. destination marketing organizations (DMOs) that use video storytelling to bring their destinations to life. To learn more about the contest and this year’s winners, visit 2024 Brand USA Storytelling Awards11. And to watch the winner show, visit “Icons of New Orleans”.

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About New Orleans & Company
New Orleans & Company is the official destination sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. Founded in 1960, our mission is to inspire, promote and encourage travel to our city for the economic, social and community benefit of New Orleans and its people. Our vision is to ensure New Orleans remains the most remarkable, unique, and welcoming city in the world. For more information, visit us at neworleans.com or on social media @VisitNewOrleans or @Neworleansandco. 

About Brand USA
Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act as the nation’s first public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. travel policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. The organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the United States in order to fuel the U.S. economy and enhance the image of the United States worldwide. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA. According to studies by Oxford Economics, over the past 11 years Brand USA's marketing initiatives have helped welcome nearly 9 million incremental visitors to the United States, benefiting the U.S. economy with more than $63 billion in total economic impact and supporting, on average, nearly 37,000 incremental jobs a year.

For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit TheBrandUSA.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter. To discover more about the USA and the boundless diversity of American travel experiences and authentic, rich culture, please visit Brand USA's consumer website VisitTheUSA.com; follow Visit The USA on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram; and watch travel shows on GoUSATV.