The Abbi Agency Announced as New Agency of Record for Visit Southwest Montana

RENO, Nev. (August 4, 2024) — The Abbi Agency, an integrated marketing and public relations agency, is proud to announce that it has been selected as the Agency of Record for Visit Southwest Montana, effective July 1, 2024. As part of this new partnership, The Abbi Agency will manage marketing strategy, branding, creative, and paid media efforts, in addition to producing the annual travel guide for the region.

In collaboration with Lightning Bug Public Relations, a firm based in Augusta, Montana, the team will also spearhead all public relations initiatives. This strategic partnership aims to enhance the visibility and appeal of Southwest Montana as a premier travel destination.

Leading the efforts on behalf of The Abbi Agency is Account Services Director Haley Walter, a seasoned professional with a background in working on the Visit Montana brand at the Montana Department of Commerce. Haley will be closely collaborating with Client Success Director Allegra Demerjian on strategy development to ensure a cohesive and impactful approach. Living in Southwest Montana, Haley is well-versed in the needs and hidden gems within Southwest Montana’s tourism region and is passionate about bringing a new strategy to her home state and region. Tia Troy, CEO of Lightning Bug Public Relations, also lives in the region and brings 20+ years of tourism-based public relations experience to Southwest Montana. 

“We are incredibly proud to represent Southwest Montana and all of the featured and off-the-beaten-path destinations within the area,” Walter said. “We know our unique and adventurous approach, along with our commitment to the incredible communities in Montana, will be a perfect fit for the Visit Southwest Montana team.”

To mark the beginning of this exciting venture, a comprehensive strategy session was held on July 17 in Butte, Montana. The session, which was open to all Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Convention and Visitor Bureaus (CVBs) in the region, sought valuable insights from local destinations to inform and drive the overarching strategy.

“We are thrilled to be working with The Abbi Agency and Lightning Bug Public Relations,” Sarah Bannon, Executive Director of Visit Southwest Montana, said. “Their expertise and innovative approach align perfectly with our vision for promoting Southwest Montana. Together, we aim to highlight the unique experiences and attractions our region has to offer and bring high-value visitors to communities throughout our region.”

The Abbi Agency is committed to leveraging its extensive experience in travel and tourism marketing to elevate Southwest Montana’s profile and attract more visitors to the region.

For more information on The Abbi Agency and their work as an integrated marketing agency, visit www.theabbiagency.com.

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About The Abbi AgencyThe Abbi Agency (TAA) is an outcome-obsessed, full-service agency that builds brands, shifts perceptions and inspires action. Working with world-class travel destinations, national health initiatives and Fortune 500 heavyweights, TAA generates movements that cannot be ignored. The agency is proudly headquartered in Nevada with offices in Las Vegas, Reno and Helena, Montana, powered by a team that hails from all corners of the globe. As a certified B Corporation, TAA is guided by the foundational mission of “Be Bold. Be Boundary Breaking. Be Big Hearted.” Since the company’s early days, each team member has thought differently, acted differently and believed that an agency can reach higher by moving beyond the tired practices of the past. TAA works in a variety of industry sectors, from tech, travel and education, to healthcare and beyond. Recently named Advertising Agency of the Year by the American Advertising Federation’s (AAF) Western Region Best of the West Media Awards and Bulldog PR’s Midsize Agency of the Year, the agency excels in creating award-winning integrated marketing campaigns for clients, including Visit Carmel, Carnival Cruise Line, Aramark Destinations, the Yosemite Conservancy, Google, Tesla, Edgewood Tahoe, New Mexico Tourism Department, Travel Nevada and many more. Learn more at theabbiagency.com.