Laguna Beach, CA, June 26, 2015 – MacGillivray Freeman Films and Brand USA are pleased to announce Expedia, Inc. as the first global sponsor and exclusive online travel activation partner for National Parks Adventure, a new film for IMAX® and other giant-screen theatres that celebrates the nation’s great outdoors. Produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with Brand USA, the film is scheduled for global release on February 12, 2016, to coincide with the centennial of the National Park Service next year.
Through this multi-million dollar partnership, Expedia, Inc., one of the world’s largest travel companies with a brand portfolio of leading online travel brands in more than 70 countries, will bring worldwide film marketing support to both domestic and international exhibitors.
“Expedia is a leader in the online travel world, and their partnership will mean increased worldwide marketing and attention for the film,” said Shaun MacGillivray, producer of National Parks Adventure and President of MacGillivray Freeman Films. “Expedia’s global network of world travelers represents the perfect audience for our film, and together we look forward to delivering an unforgettable movie experience that will bring America’s treasured wilderness and vast, untamed beauty to viewers everywhere.”
“There are few things that highlight America as a vacation destination like our great national parks,” said Noah Tratt, Global Senior Vice President, Expedia Media Solutions. “Expedia is thrilled to be part of this innovative way of reaching and inspiring people around the world to travel to the U.S. to experience our national treasures in person.”
“Our partnership with Expedia aligns Brand USA and our great outdoors platform with a proven vehicle to drive and activate travel to the U.S.,” said Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA’s President and CEO. “With the global reach of Expedia and the international release of the giant-screen film, we expect the impact of this partnership to truly move the needle.”
Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, is also planning a multimillion-dollar international marketing initiative for the film and plans to use National Parks Adventure as the centerpiece of its Great Outdoors campaign in 2016 and beyond.
About Brand USA
Brand USA, the destination marketing organization for the United States, was established by the Travel Promotion Act to spearhead the nation’s first global marketing effort to promote the United States as a premier travel destination and to communicate U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures to worldwide travelers. Formed as the Corporation for Travel Promotion in 2010, the public-private entity began operations in May 2011 and does business as Brand USA. With a mission of increasing international visitation to the United States, Brand USA works in close partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. Brand USA’s activities are funded at no cost to U.S. taxpayers through a combination of private-sector investment and matching funds collected by the U.S. Government from international visitors who come to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. Through its call-to-action—Discover America—Brand USA inspires travelers to explore the United States of America’s boundless possibilities.
For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For information about exceptional and unexpected travel experiences in the United States, please visit Brand USA’s consumer website at www.visittheusa.com.
About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s foremost independent producer and distributor of giant-screen 70mm films with 38 films for IMAX and other giant-screen theatres to its credit. Throughout the company’s 50-year history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame. MacGillivray Freeman’s films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one billion dollar benchmark in worldwide ticket sales. For more information about the company, visit www.macgillivrayfreemanfilms.com.
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) is one of the world’s largest travel companies, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes leading online travel brands, such as:
- com®, a leading full-service online travel agency with localized sites in 31 countries
- com®, the hotel specialist with localized sites in more than 60 countries
- Hotwire®, a leading discount travel site that offers opaque deals in 12 countries throughout North America, Europe and Asia
- Travelocity®, a pioneer in online travel and a leading online travel agency in the US and Canada
- Egencia®, a leading corporate travel management company
- com™, an online hotel reservation specialist in Europe
- trivago®, a leading online hotel metasearch company with sites in 51 countries
- Wotif Group, a leading operator of travel brands in the Asia-Pacific region, including Wotif.com ®, lastminute.com.au®, travel.com.au, Asia Web Direct®, LateStays.com and GoDo.com.au
- Expedia Local Expert®, a provider of online and in-market concierge services, activities, experiences, and ground transportation in hundreds of destinations worldwide
- Classic Vacations®, a top luxury travel specialist
- Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®, a provider of exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of 180 franchise locations across North America
- com™, the premier car rental booking company on the web
The company delivers consumers value in leisure and business travel, drives incremental demand and direct bookings to travel suppliers, and provides advertisers the opportunity to reach a highly valuable audience of in-market consumers through Expedia® Media Solutions. Expedia also powers bookings for some of the world’s leading airlines and hotels, top consumer brands, high traffic websites, and thousands of active affiliates through Expedia Affiliate Network. For corporate and industry news and views, visit us at http://www.expediainc.com or follow us on Twitter @expediainc.
Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. © 2015 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-50
About The Giant Dome Theater Consortium
The Giant Dome Theater Consortium (GDTC) incorporated in 2010 to foster educational film production for the most unique theaters in the world. The GDTC facilitates film production through financial support and encourages the use of technical standards that maximize the experiential impact of the giant dome screen. Member institutions of the GDTC are Cincinnati Museum Center; Discovery Place, Inc., Charlotte; Museum of Science, Boston; Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago; Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, San Diego; Science Museum of Minnesota and the St. Louis Science Center.
