GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES 4 PERCENT INCREASE IN DIRECT TOURISM SPENDING FOR NEW YORK STATE IN 2008
Interesting headline. It almost got me excited until I saw the year. Anyway, the whole press release is after the jump. One thing I have to say, saavy marketers might appreciate the timing of this. Possibly the critical budget negotiations happening and stuff might be related. Maybe.
According to Governor Paterson’s introductory note in the I Love NY 2008-9 Year in Review,
The results of this year in review prove that the course we have charted is a correct one. Despite tourism retrenching in every region of the country, New York’s tourism industry has held steady — no doubt partly due to the revitalized I LOVE NEW YORK campaign and the strategic decisions based around it.
The most recent economic impact data, not surprisingly, shows growth in tourism spending for 2008.
Well, it only took 6 months for someone to figure that we might not be getting the greatest deal. It took a reveal at WTM for someone to notice. The headlines are not entirely accurate – the whole campaign, not just the logo was $17 million – but still.
I’m sure many Britons are guilty of thinking of New York as no more than a city, but will the squirrel really do the job? How about a picture of a national park in autumn, with the strap line “Welcome to NY”, or just the strap line, “Did you know NY has 45 ski resorts”?
Ever since I saw the reference to I Am Legend and the post-apocalyptic squirrel on grassy logo, I can’t stop seeing Will Smith dancing around as the Fresh Prince. I love that show.
A fun and relatively productive Governor’s Tourism Shindig was the activity of the day. It’s good to “come down from the hills” and see some city people every now and then. I even got a haircut just for the occasion. I’ll give you my highlights and some bonus pictures after the jump.
Today was launch day for the re-launch of the I Love NY brand. I guess I’m sort of trying to get a feel for how things are going. Here’s a selection of items for your re-branding pleasure:
N.Y. shows heart in defending its brand “We have stepped up our protection of the brand as we get ready to relaunch the next campaign. It generates real economic value for New York state and needs to be protected as an asset.” – It’s a branding war out there.
"In the late 1970s, Woody Cole was also the executive director of the New York State Sports and Winter Olympics Commission for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, serving under then-Secretary of State Cuomo."
"Prior to taking her current position in July 2008, Martino, was Executive Director of the Adirondack North Country Association, one of the major co-sponsors for the APRAP."
"For the sake of the town, the uniqueness of the location, I would like to see something within zoning there." - Why bother with those pesky zoning rules?
"The Obama administration will accept no more public input for a federal strategy that could prohibit U.S. citizens from fishing the nation's oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes, and even inland waters. "
"If there's one thing I truly hope comes out of this medal, I hope more kids and more people get out and try these sports that we love to do here in the North Country."
"With DEC travel very restricted and personnel down to two fisheries biologists in Ray Brook and two in Warrensburg, it is unlikely any initiatives, like further work on brook trout research and restoration, will take place."
"The problem is the United States has the reputation of being among one of the most unfriendly countries when it comes to international visitors, so this almost seems like one more way we are unwelcoming."
"The fee element of the plan is controversial as some business travel organizations argue that imposing a fee would dissuade, rather than promote, inbound travel."
