2024 Brand USA Video Storytelling Awards

About the Video Storytelling Awards

The Brand USA Video Storytelling Awards recognize destination marketing organizations that use video storytelling to bring their destination to life.

Participation is easy: simply send a link to the video series or film you’d like considered to [email protected]. If your video is accepted for streaming on GoUSA TV, it will automatically be entered into the current year’s contest.

Videos are judged by a group of Hollywood producers, directors & content creators who have experience identifying and creating compelling storytelling on networks such as Netflix, BBC, Discovery Channel, BET, Condé Nast, HBO, NBC Universal, Sky TV, Sundance, TLC, and others.

 

Judging Criteria

We look for the best in video storytelling. This means compelling and entertaining content that inspires travelers to visit the US.

  • Clear, unique format
  • Prioritizes storytelling with an entertaining narrative
  • High stakes and strong characters
  • Builds a unique sense of place by featuring cultural elements such as food, music, sports, tradition, or other attributes
  • Shares something completely new and unexpected, or shines a new light on something well-known about a point of interest or destination
  • Builds interest in and affection for the featured destination
  • Has high quality cinematography and storytelling
  • Motivates a viewer to say: “I want to go do that thing, in that place, with those people!”

 

About GoUSA TV

GoUSA TV is a global, multi-channel travel entertainment network featuring programming about the United States. The network is currently available on Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, XUMO, Plex, Reach TV, Rakuten, VIDDA, Rlaxx TV, MX Player, GO Transit, Video Elephant, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS, Android, Google Chromecast and other smart TV platforms.

GoUSA TV programming includes award-winning television series, feature-length documentaries, and popular shorts told from the diverse perspectives of real people across America. It’s mix of programming exposes authentic USA experiences in all locations, showcasing the people, places, culture and activities that make travel in the United States truly distinct.

2023 Winners

  1. U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
  2. Visit Denver
  3. Visit Salt Lake

Outstanding Video Storytelling - State & Territory "Venturing Out: St. Croix"
Driven to explore and experience adventure in all its forms, host Creighton Baird ventures out into the wild landscapes of the US Virgin Islands to discover the answer to what it means to truly live.

Outstanding Video Storytelling - City "Basecamp Denver"
Play in the mountains; stay in the city! Denver, Colorado natives take you on their favorite Rocky Mountain adventures.

Outstanding Video Storytelling - Diversity "Salt of the Earth"
From Olympic rock-climbing athletes to award-winning brewmasters, meet the unique and creative individuals who make up the diverse and lively Salt Lake City, Utah community.

Where to See the Winning Series

You can watch the winning series on GoUSA TV, available on Samsung TV Plus, LG Channels, XUMO, Plex, Reach TV, Rakuten, VIDDA, Rlaxx TV, MX Player, GO Transit, Video Elephant, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, iOS, Android, Google Chromecast and other smart TV platforms.

Judges

  1. RUPERT MACONICK: FOUNDER, SAVILLE PRODUCTIONS
  2. STEVE HARRIS: PRODUCER
  3. CLAY JETER: DIRECTOR
  4. JODY RAIDA: FOUNDER, LEMONADE

Rupert Maconick is the founder and executive producer of award-winning production company Saville Productions. He has a long track record producing content with acclaimed feature film and documentary directors, including: Martin Campbell (“Casino Royale”), Fernando Meirelles (“City of God”), and Werner Herzog (“Grizzly Man”). Rupert is best known for producing the Werner Herzog documentary, "Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World”, the award-winning documentary “5B”, and "Eddie the Eagle," starring Hugh Jackman. He’s currently producing the upcoming thriller “Memory of a Killer” with Liam Neeson.

 Headshot of a middle-aged white man with glasses against a tan background.

 

Steve Harris is a television producer, writer, and creative developer. A former development executive at TLC and A&E networks, he has produced 1,000+ hours of unscripted programing, including “Funniest Wins” on TBS, “Basketball Wives”, “Mob Wives”, “Running Russell Simmons” & “The Jacksons”. Steve is also the executive producer of “Ellis Family Vacation” on GoUSA TV.

Headshot of a middle-aged black man with a beard against an abstract background.

 

Originally from Tennessee, Clay Jeter is a film and television director best known for the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Chef’s Table”, "Live To 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones" and "Unsolved Mysteries". His films have been featured at Sundance, Tribeca, Santa Barbara, Nashville, and Palm Springs film festivals.

 Headshot of Clay Jeter.

 

Jody Raida is the founder of Lemonade, a boutique media consultancy that advises brands on premium story-driven entertainment. She has overseen production on hundreds of hours of television, digital and branded content; developed TV programming for the entire slate of Condé Nast magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, Condé Nast Traveler and Wired (notable projects include the RJ Cutler-directed documentary “The September Issue” and “Wired Science” on PBS); and created/executive produced the reality series “The Fashionista Diaries” on SOAPnet/ABC.

Jody Raida, Lemonade