The film commissions of all four Hawai‘i counties, the Hawai‘i Film Office, and the Creative Industries Division of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism were recently honored with a collaborative award from the American Marketing Association.
The Best Non-Profit/Government/Non-Commercial Marketing award was presented to the film offices by AMA’s Hawai‘i chapter at a luncheon held last month at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
“To be recognized by AMA with this marketing award, especially in the company of other distinguished winners — Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa, the APEC Host Committee and Farmers Insurance — is truly an honor,” said Kaua’i Film Commissioner Art Umezu. “Hawai‘i’s film industry is flourishing and this award will help energize our marketing effort to reach out to global film makers.”
All of Hawai‘i’s film commissioners attended the event, including Umezu, John Mason of the Big Island, Walea Constantinau of Honolulu, Harry Donafeld of Maui, Donne Dawson of the Hawai‘i Film Office and Georja Skinner, DBEDT Creative Industries.
According to the AMA website, the film offices were recognized for their collaborative efforts to preserve Hawai‘i’s reputation as “a premier motion picture and television location while also nurturing opportunities for Hawai‘i’s creative industries and local filmmakers.”
The website also notes the economic impact of Hawai‘i’s film industry over the last five years, which amounted to nearly $2 billion and the creation of 15,000 skilled jobs, an average of 2,500-3,000 per year.
In coordination with local businesses, DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and isle visitor bureaus, the film offices of the Hawaiian Islands are able to extend the value of film and television exposure through national and international promotions, brand integration, trip giveaways and media coverage.
In turn, this provides the studios and networks with a greater marketing hook while furthering the exposure for Hawai‘i, the AMA website states.
Other honorees at the luncheon included Greg Yamanaka and the APEC Host Committee for Hawai‘i Marketer of the Year; Disney Aulani Resort and Spa for Best Marketing of a New Product and Service and Farmers Insurance Hawai‘i, Inc. for Best
E-Marketing.
