FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 13, 2024
MARTA’S 50 YEARS OF HIP
HOP MARKETING CAMPAIGN HONORED WITH APTA ADWHEEL AWARD
ATLANTA – The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) with the 2024 APTA AdWheel Best Marketing and Communications Award for the Authority’s recent 50 Years of Hip Hop campaign.
MARTA officially received the award today at the APTA 2024 Marketing, Communications & Customer Service Workshop in New Orleans.
“Both MARTA and hip hop have played important roles in Atlanta’s culture and history,” said Collie Greenwood, General Manager and CEO of MARTA. “MARTA has inspired many iconic Atlanta rappers and has been featured on prominent tracks over the years. We were proud to celebrate hip hop’s profound impact on the city and
honor a genre that has shaped the artistic landscape, not just in Atlanta but throughout the world.”
MARTA’s marketing and communications campaign celebrated hip hop's 50th anniversary, paying tribute to its rich history and influence while also fostering community pride and uniting Atlanta's diverse population.
In many urban centers where hip hop thrives, public transit agencies like MARTA provide a convenient and affordable means for aspiring artists to pursue their dreams. Particularly for homegrown and transplanted hip hop artists, MARTA holds a significant place in their creative journeys, which they often acknowledge in
their music.
MARTA’s 50 Years of Hip Hop celebration resulted in positive customer engagement as riders resonated with the campaign’s focus on paying tribute to Atlanta’s culture. And by aligning MARTA with Atlanta’s influential hip-hop legacy, the campaign made a positive impact
on MARTA customer engagement, brand influence, employee morale and social media engagement.
In appreciation of hip hop's profound legacy and Atlanta’s legends over 50 years, MARTA released limited-edition Breeze cards featuring OutKast, Jermaine Dupri, Killer Mike, Ludacris, and TLC, and curated a playlist of hip hop songs that mention MARTA.
MARTA also hosted a customer appreciation event at Five Points Station that featured a DJ playing classic hip hop music, dancing, a photo booth, and the MARTA prize wheel. The campaign culminated in the unveiling of a MARTA bus designed in honor of Atlanta native Jermaine Dupri, founder of the hit-making music label So So Def,
as the label marked its 30-year anniversary.
The AdWheel Awards recognize the marketing and communications efforts of APTA’s members, which include transit agencies across the country. Additionally, the annual awards competition creates a structure to share best practices and raise awareness of
the value of public transportation marketing professionals within the industry.
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