LANSING — It was a green Christmas for much of Michigan, but this being Michigan, the white stuff is surely on the way.
And this week, Pure Michigan announced the launch of its winter advertising campaign, which highlights Michigan’s cold-weather recreation opportunities to travelers throughout the Great Lakes region.
Ads began airing Dec. 29 and will continue through the end of January. This year, eight private sector partners are participating in the winter regional campaign, which has a total budget of $1,526,512, including $254,004 from partners.
“Winter is a fantastic time to be in Michigan and this campaign inspires travelers across the region to make memories with their family and friends in our winter wonderland,” said David West, vice president of the Travel Michigan business unit of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. “We have a strong winter tourism industry in Michigan, generating $3.6 billion for the economy last year, and we are looking to build on this heading into this year’s season.”
Manistee and The Henry Ford are new winter partners for this year’s advertising campaign. They join returning partners including Gaylord, Frankenmuth, Muskegon, Mt. Pleasant, St. Ignace, and the Michigan Snowsports Industries Association. These winter regional partners also accompanied by national partners Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Traverse City, and the Great Lakes Bay Region.
The Pure Michigan television ads Snow Days and Chance of Snow will make their return this season, and will air in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, Ohio; Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend, Ind.; and Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wis.
The radio ads Snow Day and Snow will also return, airing in Chicago, Ill.; Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Milwaukee and Green Bay, Wis.; and southern Ontario.
Two new radio spots — Here’s to the Curious and Soul — will also make their debut during the winter advertising campaign. Here’s to the Curious highlights Michigan’s craft beer scene and Soul speaks to the spirit of Michigan’s cities and towns.
In addition to the advertising campaign, Pure Michigan will be encouraging people across the Great Lakes region to take a Snow Day this winter season. Each year countless of vacation days go unused in the U.S., and there is no better way to take advantage of one or two of those unused days than get out and enjoy the thrill of a snow day.
The 2014 Pure Michigan Winter Travel Guide is also available, offering ideas for fun winter travel activities for visitors and residents alike.
Individuals can request a free copy of the 2014 Pure Michigan Winter Travel Guide at michigan.org or by calling toll-free (888) 784-7328. The guide will also be available at the 14 Michigan Welcome Centers across the state as well as in a free, universally
accessible digital edition, which will allow users to access the guide from their desktop and laptop computers, smartphones and tablets.
The publication also includes a guide to Michigan state parks and trails and a winter events calendar. This year, 100,000 copies of the winter guide have been printed at Quad Graphics in Midland.
For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit michiganbusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.