Anthony Travel Recognized for Croke Park Classic Marketing Efforts

Official Travel Provider of the Event Receives Two Magellan Awards from Travel Weekly

DALLAS — Anthony Travel has been selected as a 2014 Silver Magellan Award Winner in two separate categories — website and advertising/marketing campaign. The awards recognize the company’s achievements in marketing official travel packages for the 2014 Croke Park Classic game in Ireland between Penn State and UCF.

“The Croke Park Classic was a huge undertaking,” said Todd Stansbury, UCF Vice President and Director of Athletics. “Essentially moving a UCF home game overseas to Dublin took a great deal of teamwork. Looking back, Anthony Travel was an invaluable member of the team that made the entire venture a huge success. Most importantly, our student-athletes and fans had an experience they will remember for a lifetime.”

The websites for official Croke Park Classic travel offerings were developed entirely in-house by the Anthony Travel marketing team. They featured information on official travel packages, destinations, excursions and the game, and allowed guests to book online 24 hours a day. For the marketing campaign, Anthony Travel partnered with Tourism Ireland and worked closely with each school to sell official packages to fans and alumni. The yearlong initiative was highlighted by email blasts, print advertisements, a free trip giveaway and a promotional in-game video/commercial.

“These awards would not have been possible without full support of UCF and Penn State, and the continued partnership with Tourism Ireland allows us to expand our marketing efforts to new heights,” said John Anthony, President and CEO of Anthony Travel.

The Travel Weekly Magellan Awards are given annually to the “most exciting and innovative work being done in the travel industry today.” The judging panel is comprised of a distinguished group of top travel industry professionals, which grades entries using a 100-point performance scale.

Anthony Travel will be featured in an October issue of Travel Weekly in a special section dedicated to this year’s winners. The company will also receive two custom-produced statuettes made by the same company that produces the Oscar and Emmy awards.

About Anthony Travel
Anthony Travel served as the official travel provider of each school participating in the 2014 Croke Park Classic at the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Founded in 1989, the company is a nationally recognized leader in collegiate athletic travel management services. With more than 25 offices nationwide, Anthony Travel provides travel services to many of the nation’s most prestigious universities and sports organizations. Anthony Travel also provides comprehensive travel solutions to alumni and fans, including air, hotel, ground transportation and hospitality needs for regular season competition, tournaments, bowl games and other championship events. Anthony Travel saves clients time and money, while providing unforgettable travel experiences.