#CIICelebrates First Annual Media Awards

In more than two decades as an agency, CIIC has had the pleasure of maintaining relationships with some of the travel industry’s most esteemed editors, writers, creatives and influencers. We decided to honor our favorite contacts and appreciate 2018’s best collaborations with our first annual CIIC Media Awards! All winners will receive a gift package from Beekman 1802.

This year CIIC had the pleasure of working with new incredible media talent and some not-so-new contacts that have been ever-present throughout the agency's trajectory. These contacts make our client’s stories come to life, and the CIIC Media Awards were launched to celebrate their creativity, passion and nomadic spirit. - Amy Sedeño, Director

Keep reading to see this year’s winners and learn more about their work!

Influencer Collaboration (Canada): Laura Reid @laurareidd

Laura Reid traveled to NYC to attend the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Aliz Hotel Times Square hosted her trip, during which she produced a beautiful video and photos of the property. It was a pleasure working with her! - Paola Cuevas, Director

Influencer Collaboration (USA): Rachel Chen @vintagedolls_life

Rachel attended a press trip we hosted in November to Hacienda Encantada in Los Cabos. She was very professional, always on time and produced beautiful content and a blog post, which she shared immediately after the trip. - PC

Influencer Collaboration (Latin America): Luiza Brasil @mequetrefismos

Luiza was a joy to work with. She was very inquisitive about the destination and her content was top notch. She even met with local journalists in Barbados to go deeper into the island’s history and background. - AS

Best New Contact: Leslie Hughes @lesliekhughes

Leslie has amazing energy and is always open to learning more about CIIC's clients. She is ready for new adventures; this year alone she has gone to three of our press trips. Can't wait to travel with her again! - Melanie Neff, Account Executive

Best Print Feature Article: Katrice Mines @myvicariouslyfe

Her beautiful editorial spreads are always impeccably done. She’s also the ultimate professional and a joy to travel with. - AS

Best Digital Feature Article: Celine Bossart @celineb0ss

Ever-stylish Celine attended a press trip to Hacienda Encantada earlier this year, after which she featured the hotel in DuJour’s Room Request series and earned us an HSMAI Silver Award for Feature Placement Online - Consumer Media. - Marissa Labadie, Account Coordinator

Best Cultural Feature: Madeline Weinfield @madolionw

Madeline adds personality and intrigue to her stories and we love working with her. Her article about Hotel El Ganzo made you feel like you had experienced the hotel. - MN

Best Trade Article: Mai Pham @femme_foodie

My favorite foodie! Mai is always in the search of authentic culinary experiences that represent the essence of the destination. Also, her food pics are awesome! - MN

Best Broadcast Feature: Opal Apple @opal_apple on FOX and Friends

Opal Apple transformed the Fox & Friends Square during National Apple Month to bring its Washington State orchard to the east coast and celebrate fall. The hosts learned about the naturally non-browning fruit and tasted Opal Apple’s Waffle Compote with fresh cider. - Alexa Quinn, Assistant Account Executive

Best Client Profile: Amber Snider @ambersnider27 

Amber has an incredible eye for detail and untold stories. Her articles about Cuba took me back to my hometown and she perfectly captured the essence of Vivo in her winning article. - AS

Best Video Feature: Angela Fairhurst @jaunttv

Angela has been in the CIIC media family for a long time. Her expertise with video adds a new dimension to her content and we love to see how JauntTV has taken off! - AS

Best Blog: Danasia Fantastic @theurbanrealist

If don't follow Danasia on Instagram, what are you waiting for? I love her photos, style, and how she tells stories about her travels. - MN

Best Photojournalist: Marianna Jamadi @nomadic_habit

Marianna’s naturalistic, elegant aesthetic perfectly highlighted Vivo Resorts’ cultural authenticity and Oaxacan landscape. - ML

Press Trip Excellence: Johanna Read @traveleaterjohanna

Johanna is one of the sweetest people I know. She appreciates all the activities we put into our itineraries. Love following her adventures on Instagram! - MN

Press Trip Excellence: Brandon Schultz @thebrandonalexandr

Traveling and working with Brandon has been a joy. He’s also always happy to learn about our clients and discover new destinations.  - AS

Top Travel Editor: Siobhan Read @siobhanmread

I first met Siobhan two years ago (time flies!) and since then she’s always been a true professional, very responsive and a pleasure to collaborate with. - AS

CIIC 2018 Sojourns Award: Mark Chesnut @mundera

Mark Chesnut has supported and worked very closely with CIIC for more than 20 years. From our first press trips hosted in Mexico to our New York media tours, Mark is always willing to learn about our clients, meet with us and see the updates we share on behalf of our clients. We’re very lucky to know him and have worked with him for so many years! - Carolyn Izzo-Feldman, President

Most Valuable Contact: Meagan Drillinger @drillinjourneys

Meagan is the queen of Mexico coverage. I am personally a fan and follow all her trips through Instagram. We are always happy to see our clients featured in her coverage. - AS