Often, my colleagues and I joke about how amazing it is that my brain fits in my head. But, the funny part is, I’m not joking. My role here is to plan and put strategies in place to meet short- and long-term client objectives. Curiously, prior to my arrival here, my co-workers were busy executing award-winning campaigns. Who knew?

This past spring, MercuryCSC won an Effie award for our work on behalf of the Montana Office of Tourism. Even though this campaign was strategized, concepted, developed and launched far before my arrival at the company, I naturally took full credit for it.

Well, apparently I’ve been at it again. In August, the Montana Office of Tourism and MercuryCSC received the US Travel Association’s Mercury Award for the Best Overall Tourism Marketing Program for the 2010 “There’s Nothing Here” campaign. This award, presented at the USTA’s annual ESTO Conference, recognized the campaign—above all other DMOs—for being fully integrated and, most importantly to us account types, measureable.

The campaign highlighted all that we love about Montana—nothing. Nothing but…classic landscapes that remain unspoiled; free-roaming wildlife; a million stars shining overhead; friendly locals serving up fresh huckleberry pie. “There’s Nothing Here” worked to increase awareness of our brand and intent to travel to Montana.

This is a big deal for the Montana Office of Tourism and MercuryCSC, as we’re now in the spotlight on the national stage. As for me, my timing couldn’t have been more perfect. We’re in the process of launching this year’s campaign, and while I’ll still take full credit, I’m happy to know I’m backed by a team of even bigger brains.

You can see the full press release about the award here: mrcry.us/oyVzIF.