Manhattan Mini Storage (MMS), which operates 51 self-storage facilities in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens, New York, received nine honors for its “Bad Things Happen When You Leave the City” advertising campaign at the 47th Annual Telly Awards, which honors excellence in video and television across all screens. The MMS campaign uses humor to imagine what happens when city dwellers leave New York in search of “more space,” only to encounter situations that are stranger, riskier or far less appealing than they expected, according to sources.
Together the campaign earned:
Two gold awards for “Use of Comedy”
Three “People’s Telly Silver Awards”
One silver award for “Use of Comedy”
Three bronze awards for “Branding”
There were more than 13,000 entries worldwide from TV and video-content producers. Winners were chosen by The Telly Awards Judging Council, which includes more than 250 experts on video.
“Self-storage is a commodity category, unless you decide it isn’t. For decades, Manhattan Mini Storage has used humor as a strategy,” said Sarah Little, senior vice president of marketing for MMS. “Humor compounds. A funny campaign doesn’t just generate impressions; it drives conversation, reposts, screenshots and word-of-mouth. Brands that are willing to invest in humor build something stronger than advertisement alone ever could.”
MMS was founded in 1978 as a family-owned business. It was acquired by StorageMart in 2021.
Founded in 1973 and based in Columbia, Missouri, StorageMart has a portfolio valued at more than $10 billion. It comprises more than 25 million square feet in 236,000 units worldwide.
Established in 1979, The Tellys selects winners based on excellence in animation, branded content, commercials and marketing, film and shorts, immersive and mixed reality, non-broadcast, online and television series, shows and segments, and social video.
Sources:
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Manhattan Mini Storage, Manhattan Mini Storage Wins Multiple 2026 Telly Awards for “Bad Things Happen When You Leave the City” Commercial