New Commercial Promotes NOLA for the Holidays
‘Follow Your Joy’ campaign aims to spread the Nawlins spirit.
The message of how we like to celebrate the holiday season, here in the Crescent City, is spreading across the country – enticing people to indulge in our unique southern hospitality.
New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation and French Quarter Festivals Inc. have expanded their promotional campaign, ‘Follow Your Joy’, beyond the regional and interstate driving markets. This year they have also included cities with direct flights into New Orleans.
The 15-second TV spot features the voice of actor John Goodman, music by the New Orleans Birth Brass Band and iconic New Orleans scenes. It is airing in 13 regional television markets plus Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
It will air during prime time shows, such as “The Amazing Race”, and “The Voice”, morning news and late night TV, as well as in high-profile sporting events – Thanksgiving Day NFL Football, the 41st Bayou Classic – and holiday the specials “Shrek the Halls” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.
Additionally, free Christmas New Orleans Style Guidebooks will be available at concierge and visitor centers throughout the city.
Three new events were also added to this year’s month-long festivities, including ‘LUNA Fete’, an open-air video and sound installation about New Orleans by French artist team La Maison Productions. The colorful display pays homage to the city’s artistic heritage and will be splayed across Gallier Hall’s facade twice a night during the first week of December. ‘Reveillon on the Rocks’ adds another modern take on the Creole tradition by featuring 45 cocktails, while ‘Christmas in the District’ is taking the party indoors for a holiday adventure for the entire family.
Over 50 hotels and bed and breakfasts have also joined in on the holiday spirit with ‘Papa Noël Rates’. Beginning December 1, incentives range from hotel rates starting as low as $69, to discounted or free parking, complimentary champagne and room upgrades.
Founded as a way to increase tourism during the traditionally slower month of December, ‘Christmas New Orleans Style’ has become one of the city’s major attractions – which according to Mark Romig, president and CEO of NOTMC, has a major economic impact that directly affects the 81,000 people employed by the hospitality industry.
Combining these new additions with local favorites, such as Carols at Jackson Square, Celebration in the Oaks, Krewe of Jingle Parade, plus a multitude of other festive events continuing all the way through to Twelfth Night (January 5), New Orleans really is THE destination for the holidays.
For 79 detailed listings of holiday events (37 of which are free) check out, www.FollowYourJoy.com.
