FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:
Kelly Schulz
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5019
kschulz@neworleanscvb.com

Christine DeCuir
New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau
504-566-5019
cdecuir@neworleanscvb.com

New Orleans CVB Partners with Travel Host Erik Hastings for Online Videos
Videos celebrate New Orleans’ rich culture, history and nightlife

NEW ORLEANS – July 19, 2007 – The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has partnered with Erik Hastings, host of The Travel Show, a two-hour weekly broadcast on WABC New York, ABC’s flagship radio station, for three new online videos promoting New Orleans culture.

Unlike commercial videos or infomercials, Hastings’ videos convey a real, on- the-ground, destination experience, spiced up with a little humor and unscripted interaction with visitors and New Orleans residents. Hastings’ videos are produced by New York based Scripted Improv Media Inc.

When asked about his experience in New Orleans, Hastings said, “I expected to see a city that has been re-born and, in some ways, better than before the hurricane. Our entire crew was blown away by how clean and safe it is. Plus, you get a real sense of how welcoming people are when you don’t have the camera following you. New Orleans is back and better than ever.”

The primary video is an overview of New Orleans’ entertainment, cultural and historical attractions. Additional video titles are “Dining and Nightlife” and “French Quarter Carriage Ride.” Videos are available on YouTube and video sharing websites of Google, Yahoo and AOL. Additionally, the videos will be promoted on select ABC radio station websites in New York, Chicago and Dallas. The CVB also plans to make the videos available to its members and clients.

The videos are one part of the CVB’s "Forever New Orleans" branding campaign which launched in January 2007 to celebrate New Orleans' culture and dispel myths about the visitor experience. The NOMCVB is pursuing many creative strategies to beckon travelers back to New Orleans including the launch of 24NOLA.com, an interactive Web site and itinerary planning tool for visitors who want to experience New Orleans culture as locals do; airplane tray table ads celebrating New Orleans cuisine on 2,800 flights from July - September; development of "A Whole New Orleans"- a 30-minute travel television show (currently in production) that showcases the eclectic nature and vibrant culture of the city; an internet marketing campaign; more aggressive direct sales efforts with international travel professionals and convention industry influencers; and a public relations tour to bring the best of New Orleans culture to major metropolitan cities and earn positive mainstream media coverage.

To view the “Hastings on New Orleans” video, click here:

http://www.erikhastings.com/Destinations/dest_new_orleans/dest_new_orleans-overview.asp

About Scripted Improv Media Inc.
Scripted Improv Media Inc. is a New York-based company that produces and distributes original video and radio content for the travel and tourism industry. For more information, contact Gary Hendrickson, at 248-538-7810, or email gary@scriptedimprov.com

About New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB)
NOMCVB (www.neworleanscvb.com) is the driving force behind New Orleans' most important industry, tourism. Today the cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. The most celebrated and historic core of the city - including the French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street and Garden District - not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The New Orleans CVB is proudly welcoming visitors and business travelers every day.

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