New Orleans & Company - @VisitNewOrleans
The Question
One of the biggest creative questions I carried throughout my time at New Orleans & Company wasn't about algorithms or engagement rates.
It was about perspective.
New Orleans is one of the most culturally influential cities in the world. Its music, food, neighborhoods, architecture, celebrations, and traditions have been shaped by generations of Black culture and countless communities that have made the city what it is today.
Yet I found myself asking a different question.
Who gets to see themselves in the story we tell about New Orleans?
Not because representation was a box to check.
Because travel is emotional.
People imagine themselves somewhere long before they ever book a flight.
So every time I planned a campaign or partnered with a creator, I tried to widen the lens just a little.
Could someone scrolling our feed think:
“People like me have found joy there."
Maybe that meant seeing another queer couple.
Maybe it meant seeing a Black family celebrating together.
Maybe it meant seeing solo travelers, older travelers, disabled travelers, local artists, first-time visitors, or someone whose version of New Orleans looked different than the postcard.
Because I never believed destination marketing was about showing everyone the same city.
I believed it was about helping more people recognize there was already a place for them inside it.
The Results
2025 — 2026 Annual ENGAGEMENTS
4,000,000+
Engagment GOal: 1.5million
167% above target
q1 — 2026 ENGAGEMENTS
1,330,000
Engagment GOal: 700k
90% above target
Trusted by Creators
“Working with Colton Clifford through New Orleans & Company has been an incredible experience. He is attentive, highly responsive, and always communicates clearly and promptly throughout every project. His creative mindset and collaborative approach make the entire process seamless and enjoyable.
Beyond being a true professional, Colton is personable, easy to work with, and genuinely invested in building successful partnerships. I highly recommend working with him and look forward to collaborating with him again in the future.”
“Colton was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was attentive, responsive, organized, and made every collaboration feel effortless. Beyond being incredibly professional, he genuinely cared about creating meaningful partnerships and was always a supportive, friendly presence throughout the entire process.”
“Colton is truly a pleasure to work with! He is kind, communicative, and makes collaboration feel seamless. It’s clear that he works hard to ensure every deliverable is aligned with the brand while also providing influencers with clear direction and support throughout each campaign.”
“Colton is one of the few people who made me feel like a true creative partner, not just another influencer on a campaign. He took the time to genuinely get to know us, respected our work, and always made sure everything was handled professionally and on time. The way he builds authentic relationships is rare, and it’s exactly why he’s someone I’ll always recommend working with.”
trusted by BRANDS
During my time at New Orleans & Company, I partnered with global brands, cultural institutions, major sporting events, media organizations, and tourism leaders to develop content, coordinate campaigns, manage creator partnerships, and tell the story of New Orleans to audiences around the world.
NFL SUPER BOWL
THE TODAY SHOW
DISNEY
MICHELIN GUIDE
MICHELIN KEY
UNESCO
CBS SUNDAY MORNING
HODA & JENNA
WRESTLEMANIA
UFC
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
NEW ORLEANS PELICANS
AMTRAK
CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE
LIVE NATION
SPROUT SOCIAL
CROWDRIFF
DREW BREES FOUNDATION
MISS UNIVERSE
ROCKIN'1000
BOCUSE D'OR
ZAPP'S
RAISING CANE'S
ZURICH
Selected Work
The Takeaway
People don't connect with perfect marketing.
They connect with honest stories.
Stories that feel lived in.
Stories that respect culture instead of borrowing from it.
Stories that invite people in instead of speaking at them.
That's the work I'm most interested in making.