Contact: Michele Peters
651-296-0308
Michele.peters@state.mn.us

State Tourism Agency Seeks to Maximize Emerging Technologies in Marketing Minnesota as a Tourism Destination

ST. PAUL, MN (June 3, 2008) In an effort to grow its online presence, Explore Minnesota Tourism today announced a new relationship with Morsekode, a Minneapolis-based brand communications group specializing in interactive marketing.

Locally-grown Morsekode will provide interactive marketing services with a focus on driving traffic to the Explore Minnesota Web site, and ultimately encouraging travel from residents and non-residents alike. Morsekode was chosen from six competing agencies.

"We’ve retained Morsekode to help us navigate the world of emerging interactive marketing tools and to help us to maximize our impact in promoting Minnesota as a travel destination," said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism. "We’re very excited to bring Morsekode on board with our current advertising and electronic efforts."

The contract runs through June 1, 2009, and will include strategic planning and counsel as well as the development and implementation of interactive marketing tactics.

"We are very excited to work with an organization like Explore Minnesota that knows there are deep opportunities to use interactive marketing that drive both Web and tourism traffic," said Mark Morse, founder and principal of Morsekode. "As the marketing world continues to evolve, we’ve tried to stay ahead of the curve in terms of delivering new technologies and tactics. We’re proud to bring this expertise to Explore Minnesota Tourism, and bring more visitors into our great state."

About Explore Minnesota Tourism
As the state’s tourism office, Explore Minnesota Tourism pursues an entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the state’s tourism investment with increased involvement in the private sector. A council of representatives from the state’s tourism industry strongly connects Explore Minnesota Tourism with tourism businesses and organizations.

Tourism is a $10.5 billion industry in Minnesota, a key sector of the state’s economy. The leisure and hospitality industry, a major provider of tourism services, employs more than 244,000 Minnesotans. More information about Explore Minnesota Tourism can be found at www.exploreminnesota.com.

About Morsekode
Founded in 2002 by Mark Morse, Morsekode is a brand communications group that offers advertising, marketing, public relations and branding expertise to a diverse list of industry leaders and entrepreneurial organizations in the fields of healthcare, technology, music and retail.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, the agency has 15 employees. Morsekode has been enshrined in the MarketingSherpa Viral Hall of Fame and is a recipient of The Salvation Army Marketing Excellence Award, Davey Award, Aurora Award, Aster Award, Telly Award and Best of The Show. To learn more about Morsekode, visit www.morsekode.com or call 952.853.9555.

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