S.C. State Parks Anniversary Campaign Nets International Honor

CHARLESTON, SC –  December 3, 2009 – A multi-faceted campaign celebrating the 75th anniversary of South Carolina’s state parks has garnered an international honor for the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT).

The Come Out and Play campaign was chosen from among 1,100 entries for a Silver Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

A centerpiece of the effort was the production of a commemorative photography book – Beautiful Places: The Timeless Beauty of South Carolina State Parks. The year-long campaign also included a robust Web presence bolstered by print and online advertising and an e-newsletter, creation of a 75th anniversary logo and anniversary celebrations at each of the 47 individual parks in the S.C. State Park Service. A year-long photo contest also attracted more than 2,400 submissions from park visitors.

This is the second time in a year that SCPRT has won recognition from the HSMAI. The agency also received a Silver, a Gold and an inaugural award sponsored by search giant Google for the state’s Time to Thaw travel marketing campaign staged this past winter in Chicago.

The goal of the ‘Come Out and Play’ promotion was to increase awareness of South Carolina state parks as important recreational and cultural resources and an affordable vacation option. The promotion was successful, resulting in increased visitation of state parks. To again receive a high honor from our industry peers is an added benefit, said SCPRT Director Chad Prosser.

The Come Out and Play campaign was created and executed by SCPRT in partnership with ad agencies Rawle Murdy Associates Inc. of Charleston and the bounce agency of Greenville – with technical help from Web specialist Aristotle Inc. of Little Rock, Ark.

The Adrian Award presentations will be made at a gathering on Feb. 1, 2010, at the New York Marriot Marquis in New York City.

Web Site: http://www.scprt.com/