29th Annual Christmas New Orleans Style Campaign by New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) Includes Television and Digital Ads in 10 Markets, a Holiday Website, and Social Media Content 

New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, (NOTMC) and French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) are rolling out more reasons than ever this year to promote the seasonal Christmas New Orleans Style program with added events and experiences.

"Christmas is a time of bringing families together to celebrate the holidays across New Orleans," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "Our music, unique Reveillon dinners, and holiday traditions give families an opportunity over six full weeks to experience the holidays in new and tasty ways."

The 2013 Christmas New Orleans Style celebration features over 200 quality holiday events, coordinated by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Activities include free concerts and cooking demonstrations, as well as tours, Reveillon dinners, custom attractions, and great shopping. The joy is spread over more than a month of festivities from November 16 through Twelfth Night, January 5th, 2014.

"Once again, this year's calendar is filled with magical events, events," said Mark Romig, president and CEO of NOTMC. "From the Preservation Resource Center's annual home tours, to a new light display along Convention Center Boulevard coordinated by the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Convention Center, visitor and locals alike will find even more joy to the holidays." 

Seasonal celebration highlights include:

·      Papa Noel hotel rates discounted up to 30% at 53 area hotels and 5 bed and breakfast establishments

·      Christmas Caroling by Candlelight in Jackson Square

·      15 Free Concerts at St. Louis Cathedral

·      New 'Christmas in the District' light display

·      Great Christmas Shopping with Many Discounts Around the City

·      Carriage Rides through the French Quarter

·      Preservation Resource Center 'Holiday Home Tour'

·      48 Restaurants Serving Reveillon Dinners starting at $34

·      12 Holiday Cooking Demonstrations at the French Market

·      Entertaining Historic Characters from 'Louisiana History Alive'

"You can pick up our pocket-size guidebook from any hotel concierge while you are here," said Marci Schramm, executive director of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. "and for those planning a trip, we have the ' FollowYourJoy' website, as well as a copy of the guidebook online."

The 15-second 'Follow your Joy' TV spot features the voice of actor and New Orleanian John Goodman, along with a soundtrack by the New Birth Brass Band. Iconic New Orleans scenes include historic architecture, attractions such as The National WWII Museum, and seasonal events like 'Celebration in the Oaks' and 'Miracle on Fulton Street.'

The spot is airing in 10 regional television markets that include Baton Rouge, Birmingham, Jackson, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Memphis, Mobile, Montgomery, Panama City, and Shreveport. It is also displayed online via geo-targeted digital video in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf Coast. Programming highlights include "The Amazing Race", "The Voice", "Modern Family", "New Girl", and "Nashville", as well as in high-profile sporting events such as the 40th Annual Bayou Classic and during NFL Football games.

The spot is viewable online at GoNOLA TV on YouTube. A holiday website, www.FollowYourJoy.com, showcases 'Christmas New Orleans Style' events, listing holiday concerts, cooking demos, Christmas shopping, Reveillon dinners, and Papa Noel hotel rates. Additionally, visitors and locals are invited to share personal holiday scenes on Instagram by tagging their photos with #NOLAChristmas and #followyournola.

NOTMC's agency of record, Dentsu America/360i along with Spears Consulting Group and social media firm FSC Interactive worked together to coordinate the ad campaign across all platforms.

NOTMC funds the popular annual holiday event with a robust ad campaign, and FQFI executes the multitude of Christmas New Orleans Style activities that encourage visitors to travel to New Orleans for the holidays.

To learn more about Christmas New Orleans Style, and to see the 2013 CNOS guide book listing all scheduled events, visit FollowYourJoy.com or FQFI.org. Hotel reservations, including special citywide rates, can also be booked via direct links to hotels on FollowYourJoy.com.