Tourism Ireland has won the award for the most creative advertisement in the official 2007 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival Guide.
[Pictured right: Monica Nerney, Manager Tourism Ireland being presented with award by Robert Manuel – Manager Travel Ads with Colin Rowan – Designer of the winning “Gaylic” advertisement.]
Advertisers for the guide were called upon to “make their ads a little bit naughty, a little bit cheeky and a little bit kooky” and Tourism Ireland did just that with their advertisement using an image of a rainbow flag with a pun on the word ‘Gaelic’ which became “Gaylic…your very own Ireland”.
Judges for the award labelled the ad as “a stand out in design and cleverly interacted with both gay and lesbian audiences”.
Robert Manuel, Manager of Travel Ads who has been working with Tourism Ireland to form a strategy to attract more Gay & Lesbian travellers to Ireland, said, “This is Tourism Ireland’s first foray into main stream gay media in Australia which we are pleased has had such a favourable outcome”.
Monica Nerney, Manager Australia & New Zealand Tourism Ireland said, “Ireland is thrilled to be recognised for its participation in the Mardi Gras Season Guide.” “Ireland is a “Must see, Must experience destination and Dublin and Belfast have such a variety of new clubs, boutique hotels, bars, restaurants”. “We know visitors will have a ball and learn some Gaelic while they’re there!”
[Picture left: The winning advertisement]
Mr Manuel was thrilled to present Monica Nerney and Colin Rowan, designer of the winning ad, with their B&T, SSO Media and New Mardi Gras prize package including advertising space and tickets to the Mardi Gras festival.
Congratulations Tourism Ireland!
Report by TravelAds on behalf of The Mole
