San Francisco, CA: In an ongoing tribute to last year’s 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy’s Band of Bridges project has been honored with a 2013 Social Media in Travel + Tourism Award (SMITTY) from Travel + Leisure.
Conceived in partnership with Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Google, and Famous Interactive, the initiative received the 2013 SMITTY award for “Best Location-Based Campaign.” Band of Bridges was selected for its innovative use of social media to connect, engage, and excite fans of the iconic Bridge from across the world, many of whom might not have been able to attend the anniversary festival or visit during the anniversary year.
The inventive campaign combined the latest in API and web technology, inviting visitors to the Band of Bridges website where they could “attach” their favorite bridge—from local footbridges to renowned spans—to the Golden Gate. Participants were encouraged to announce their “contribution” to the Band of Bridges using their Facebook, Twitter or Google+ accounts—further expanding the potential reach and length of the virtual bridge and the 75th-anniversary celebration behind it.
“Facebook, Twitter and Google+, among many other social media sites have become powerful tools in sharing the message and values of the Conservancy,” said Greg Moore, President and CEO of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. “We were overwhelmed with the response to Band of Bridges, and thrilled that so many people could share in the celebration of one of the world’s most adored icons.”
The yearlong tribute, which came to an end last month, drew more than 2,122 contributors, who added 3,156 bridges to create an 18,478,701 foot long “super bridge.” Fans from Argentina, Belgium, Chile, England, Germany, India, Japan, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa and South Korea connected, to create a network of Bridge lovers, and to share their common appreciation for the Golden Gate Bridge, and its legacy as an engineering marvel and symbol of perseverance and ingenuity.
Screenshots of the Band of Bridges website are available upon request by emailing kat@mackenziesf.com.
For a complete list of 2013 SMITTY winners, visit www.travelandleisure.com/smittys.
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About the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
The Parks Conservancy is the nonprofit membership organization created to preserve the Golden Gate National Parks, enhance the experiences of park visitors, and build a community dedicated to conserving the parks for the future. The Conservancy is an authorized ―cooperating association of the National Park Service, and is one of more than 70 such nonprofit organizations working with national parks around the country. To learn more, please visit www.parksconservancy.org or call (415) 561 3000.
About the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary
The 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge was a project of the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, in cooperation with the National Park Service, Presidio Trust, and City & County of San Francisco. For additional information and all public inquiries, please visit www.goldengatebridge75.org.
