• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, August 23, 2011

A group of WPP agencies has been awarded a $200 million global U.S. tourism account. The assignment includes creative, media, public relations and brand consulting.

JWT and sibling MediaCom will handle creative and media chores respectively, according to client, The Corporation for Travel Promotion (CTP), which issued RFPs for the business back in July.

Congress established the CTP in 2010 as a partnership between the travel industry and federal government to promote international tourism to the U.S. The client confirmed that its ad budget for the next year is $200 million.

Hill & Knowlton will handle public relations and Brand Union will take on branding duties.

Commenting on the selection, Jim Evans, CEO for the Corporation for Travel Promotion, stated, "America is a uniquely compelling and diverse travel destination, and the CTP, for the first time in our nation's history, will be creating 'Brand USA,' to help bring more international visitors to every corner of our wonderful country."

Evans added that JWT, the agency of record on the account, "demonstrated impressive strategic insight and a genuine, shared passion for our mission."

The pitch process was overseen by Gary Stolkin, CEO of The Talent Business.

CTP it is currently staffing up and expects to announce key members of its executive team shortly, including a Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Business Development Officer, Vice President of Operations and Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement.

Bob Jeffrey, worldwide CEO at JWT, stated, "We are honored to be a part of such an important mission, the benefits of which will be felt in communities around America."

The selection is effective immediately, the CTP said. In next couple of months the CTP will be working to develop the marketing and brand strategy, which will be unveiled in November at World Travel Market in London and implemented in 2012.

This campaign, the client said, will "showcase America to the world," and is designed to drive economic growth and job creation in communities across the U.S. to service the needs of a hoped for influx of tourist business.