Tourism Marketing Efforts Win National Recognition

 The Martinsville-Henry County EDC’s Tourism Division and Anstey Hodge Advertising Group are pleased to announce that Martinsville-Henry County, Virginia received two honors at the 2014 MarCom Awards ceremony in Dallas, Texas. MarCom Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. It is an international awards competition that recognizes outstanding creative achievement by marketing and communication professionals. There were over 6,500 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and 15 other countries in the 2014 competition.

The Martinsville-Henry County Tourism Division’s new logo, which was unveiled in July, received a Platinum MarCom Award and the 2014 Martinsville-Henry County Activity Guide received a Gold MarCom Award. Both products were designed by Anstey Hodge Advertising Group and the Activity Guide was printed by Collinsville Printing.

MarCom entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies and freelancers. The competition has grown to perhaps the largest of its kind in the world. A look at the winners shows a range in size from individual communicators to media conglomerates and Fortune 500 companies.

Winners were selected from over 200 categories in seven forms of media and communication efforts: marketing, publications, marketing/promotion, public service/pro bono, creativity and electronic/interactive. About 17% of the entries won the Platinum Award, the organization’s top honor. 23% won Gold awards. A complete list of Platinum and Gold Winners can be found on the MarCom Awards website at www.marcomawards.com.

This marks the third time that the Martinsville-Henry County Activity Guide has been recognized at the MarCom Awards. The brochure received a Gold Award in 2011 and was given an honorable mention in 2013.

“We are honored to receive these awards,” said Jennifer Doss, Director of Tourism for Martinsville-Henry County. “Working closely with Anstey Hodge Advertising Group and area stakeholders in the tourism industry, our new brand identity for tourism in Martinsville-Henry County is strong and one that will keep our marketing messages fresh and consistent.”

According to John Anstey, principal of Anstey Hodge Advertising Group. “We are thrilled to help the Tourism staff market the area and create a brand that will last for years to come. Receiving these two awards is so rewarding and validates all of the hard work that our team and Jennifer Doss’ team put into this effort.”

Copies of the Martinsville-Henry County Activity Guide and information on area attractions and events is available online at www.VisitMartinsville.com and at the state-certified Martinsville-Henry County Visitor Center located at 191 Fayette Street in Martinsville.