Visit Macon has been named a winner in PR Daily’s 2019 Nonprofit PR Awards in the video category for its Macon Music Effect campaign.

PR Daily’s Nonprofit PR Awards celebrates the teams, organizations and agencies who have redefined the field with their groundbreaking work. As a winner in the program, Visit Macon joins an elite group of past winners, including Golden Gates National Parks Conservancy, the National Education Association, Best Friends Animal Society, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Wildlife Fund and the National Cleaning Institute.

Visit Macon was chosen from a wide pool of entries to receive first prize in video category for the ingenuity and impact of its Macon Music Effect campaign.

Macon, Georgia has produced some truly iconic names in the world of music—Otis Redding, the Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard and more. Although music lovers know these artists, few know they came from Macon. The Macon Music Effect series aimed to change that. Its concept and execution were carried out with the assistance of the O+B Paramore Agency.

Visit Macon took an original approach, bringing two artists to Macon from out of town where they would not only perform but explore the city’s impact on their own idols’ musical journey.

The Macon Music Effect campaign focused on Vinne Paolizzi from Philadelphia (who was inspired by the Allman Brothers Band) and Jennie Parrot from Austin (for whom Otis Redding was an inspiration). The out-of-town artists were recorded playing on the same stages where their idols had performed, eating local food and walking the paths that were instrumental to their songs. With a goal of making Macon a music tourism destination, Visit Macon ensured each video featured each artist’s arrival (talking about how a Macon musician inspired them), experiencing the local sights and performing.

“Visit Macon set themselves apart from an outstanding field of applicants. Their work was exceptional and displayed their innovative strategies for achieving success,” said Brendan Gannon, Marketing Manager for Awards Programs at Ragan Communications.  

“Visit Macon is honored to accept this prestigious distinction from PR Daily. The Macon Music Effect is a project that connects today’s performers with Macon’s music legacy and showcases the music destination that is Macon. I am proud of the partnership with O+B Paramore and the innovative storytelling of the Visit Macon marketing team in producing this award-winning initiative,” said Gary Wheat, President & CEO of Visit Macon.

Visit Macon’s win was announced via social media, and the winning team will also be recognized for its accomplishment in a special write-up on Ragan’s internationally-read news website.