Washington, DC – Brand USA developed a joint state media program with Visit California and Travel Oregon to create a television series with the Travel Channel—Jeni and Olly’s West Coast Wine Adventure. The series will premier in Europe, the Middle East and Africa today at 8:00 pm and in the United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 5 at 7:00 pm.

Brand USA, the nation’s first nationally coordinated international tourism marketing organization is responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination.  Brand USA’s objective is to rekindle the holidaymakers’ love affair with America – reclaiming the USA’s share of the international market and positioning the country as a diverse destination still to be explored.

Olly Smith, the dynamic and celebrated wine author and popular television presenter will co-present the Travel Channel’s new series. During the four part series, Smith partners with English actress Jeni Barnett to experience the ultimate tastes of West Coast America: fabulous food, incredible wine and delicious adventures all wrapped into a great road trip from Oregon to California.

The dynamic duo will travel down the scenic northwest coast from the hip city of Portland through southern Oregon and California’s famous Sonoma Valley to end in the foodie capital of San Francisco.  The show will be broadcast in 22 languages across Europe, Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific region.

“This was an amazing first for Brand USA to be able to create a cooperative partnership with two of our key state partners and the award-winning Travel Channel,” said Chris Thompson, President and CEO of Brand USA. “It’s opportunities like this that showcase the value of Brand USA as the nation’s destination marketing organization.”

Smith, an award-winning wine expert, regular on BBC1's Saturday Kitchen, guest on ITV's This Morning, presenter of Channel 4's Secret Supper Club, and wine columnist for the Mail on Sunday's EVENT Magazine, has long been a fan of American wines.  He said: "It's tremendous to be able to share the splendour of wine through the clever people who create it, the gorgeous vineyards that grow it and the delicious dishes that surround it. Wine rocks!" 

“Travel Oregon immediately recognized the benefits of working with Brand USA and Visit California to maximize exposure in this lucrative international market," said Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon. "This first ever, dual-state partnership to leverage the strategic horsepower of Brand USA accelerates the increasing awareness of the West Coast as a must-see culinary destination."

Smith and Barnett’s adventure highlights the diversity of experiences available in the USA, from the great outdoors to exceptional cultural opportunities to indulgent and delectable cuisine.  The trip is both fun and interactive as the pair meet legendary world-class wine makers and get a VIP pass into the kitchens of famous chefs who’ve put Oregonian and northern Californian cuisine on the global food map.

"This Brand USA program provided a unique platform for Visit California to tell a larger regional story in collaboration with our colleagues at Travel Oregon," said Caroline Beteta, president and chief executive officer of Visit California. "It's an excellent example of partnership on the national level and we look forward to aligning with our neighboring states and Brand USA on future broadcast initiatives."


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About Brand USA

Brand USA is the public-private partnership responsible for promoting the United States as a premier travel destination and communicating U.S. entry/exit policies and procedures. Established by the Travel Promotion Act in 2010, the organization’s mission is to increase international visitation to the United States while working in partnership with the travel industry to maximize the economic and social benefits of travel. These benefits include creating jobs essential to the economy and fostering understanding between people and cultures. For industry or partner information about Brand USA, visit www.TheBrandUSA.com. For information about travel to and around the United States, please visit Brand USA’s consumer website at www.DiscoverAmerica.com. 

About Travel Channel

Travel Channel is the world’s leading international travel broadcaster, transmitting 24 hours a day in 22 languages to more than 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.  Travel Channel International is part of Scripps Networks International, the global development arm of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.  The company’s lifestyle media portfolio also comprises popular lifestyle television and internet brands Food Network, HGTV, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and country music network Great American Country. Travel Channel can be found on the following platforms in the UK: Virgin Media channel 288, Sky channel 251 and 252 and on freesat, channel 405.

More information can be found at www.travelchanneltv.com