New Wisconsin slogan: 'Live like you mean it'
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Life isn't so good anymore, Wisconsin, but live like you mean it!
Gov. Jim Doyle is unveiling the state's new marketing slogan — "Live Like You Mean It" — on Monday at a tourism industry conference in La Crosse. An accompanying logo depicts a silhouetted figure doing a cartwheel across letters spelling Wisconsin.
The Department of Tourism plans to start using the slogan and logo in its marketing and other agencies and business groups will be encouraged to follow suit. The slogan replaces "Life's So Good," which the state had used in tourism radio and television advertising from 2005 until last spring.
The slogan is part of a plan to give Wisconsin a unified branding strategy for the first time to differentiate the state from competitors. The goal is to convince business groups, state agencies and universities to use complementary marketing campaigns to sell Wisconsin instead of disparate ones.
After conducting market research, tourism officials last year decided the strategy should emphasize Wisconsin's creativity, hospitality and unique destinations under the platform, "In Wisconsin, originality rules."
Tourism Secretary Kelli Trumble said the next step was developing the slogan and logo.
"The silhouetted figure cartwheeling across the top of Wisconsin really speaks to the invitation to live and work and play here," she said. "And 'Live like you mean it' speaks to the fact that if you can imagine it, you can do it in Wisconsin. It was chosen for its energy."
The logo features the name Wisconsin in an original font in green, with the new slogan below in red. Green was picked to highlight the state's beautiful natural resources while red symbolizes the state's passion and pride, she said.
She said her agency would start using the theme in its online marketing and public relations starting Monday. The department's summer advertising campaigns, to begin as early as May, will follow suit.
What's more, the state's new brand manager, Sarah Klavas, has been meeting with state agencies and business development groups in recent weeks to get them thinking about how to use the new brand. Klavas said one likely area will be their Web sites and public relations materials.
Klavas said the state is seeking trademarks on the logo and slogan from state and federal agencies.
"We expect this to live a long time," she said. "We want to do this right."
In a statement, Doyle called the logo and slogan "another tool we'll use to keep loyal visitors coming back, communicate why a business should relocate or expand here, and let talented employees know why they should choose Wisconsin."
UW-Madison marketing professor Thomas O'Guinn said the new slogan is a major improvement over "Life's so good," which he found bland and lame. It won't mean a flock of businesses coming to Wisconsin, he said, but it won't hurt to sell the state as sophisticated and fun to a national audience.
The slogan will also help tourism, said O'Guinn, executive director of the school's Center for Brand and Product Management.
"It says we're not going to be a bunch of wet blankets," he said. "We're not going to stand in the way of you having fun. It signals, come up here, have a great time, we're not going to bother you a whole lot. Hedonism is okay. Fun is okay. As these slogans go, I think it's pretty good."
Mar 23, 2009 at 2:44 p.m.
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And what is that little chunk stuck on top of the middle of the "W" . Is that the tumblers sock or what ?
Mar 23, 2009 at 2:35 p.m.
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You can see the writing on the wall now! Wisconsin's new logo looks like this state will turn you upside/down, so Illinois will come up with (We will put you on your feet) This most be Doyle's way of putting our state's share of stimulus to work, waste it no a bunch of bull !
Mar 20, 2009 at 9:47 a.m.
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How about " Wisconsin, You're among the unemployed"!! Makes ya want to visit or even move here doesn't it!! Make sure to get out and vote this moron out of office next term!!
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.
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LIVING IT UP!!!
Mar 18, 2009 at 7:33 a.m.
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"Don't judge us by B'moon"
Mar 17, 2009 at 10:54 p.m.
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Actually, if they were going to spend 50 large to steal a slogan already in use..."Live like you were dyin'" by Tim McGraw would get more bang for the buck.
Mar 17, 2009 at 3:56 p.m.
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"FIBs, Go Home!!!"
Mar 17, 2009 at 2:14 p.m.
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Check out this article. a book with the same name and an familiar cover to it as well.
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/44...
Mar 17, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
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how about..."america's dairyland"..too corny huh...
Mar 17, 2009 at 10:24 a.m.
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How about "Whatever..."
Mar 17, 2009 at 8:14 a.m.
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"Wisconsin, Land of Milk, Honey and Road Kill." see that deer in your headlights? floor it illinois boy and take home a trophy.
Mar 17, 2009 at 8:10 a.m.
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Don't you mean welcome to the Ash Tray of the Midwest
Mar 17, 2009 at 6:36 a.m.
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It should be:
"Land of Drinkin"
Mar 17, 2009 at 3:28 a.m.
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"Eat cheese or die"
Mar 17, 2009 at 3:22 a.m.
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"All ye who enter here, abandon hope!"
Mar 17, 2009 at 12:33 a.m.
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Should be Wisconsin~ Good Luck Finding A Job!
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:20 p.m.
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won't it be nice when someday we hear the words...former Gov. Jim Doyle....
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:20 p.m.
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Shouldn't the image be of Bubba in a salute with a beer can out the drivers window?
Welcome To Wisconsin bumper stickers:
>If you can use your turn signals, you haven't had enough to drink.
>Were #1 in skilled impaired drivers.
>DUI's? We don't even start countin til you get 10.
>Need a license? No insurance required.
>Hold my beer, I gotta shift.
Yep, we be surfistikatid and funz.
Rest in Peace Alan and Bailey Calvillo
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:34 p.m.
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I actually think it's pretty good as slogans come. Some of those in the list are awful!
And well 50K is minimal for a slogan and image I'm sure.
I think it's a step forward and that we need to see that the state government is doing what they can to put WI out there as a viable place to come, build, grow, live....
I don't love him either, but cut the guy a break.
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:27 p.m.
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Wisconsin the land of cheese and whine.
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:15 p.m.
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What about -
Like High Taxes?
Come to Wisconsin.
Mar 16, 2009 at 7:45 p.m.
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I can't believe it!
None of you posters googled that phrase. It's been around and used a number of times, most notedly for Bacardi rum.
Doyle's crew paid $50 grand for a booze slogan!
Mar 16, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
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Chrome dome strikes again!
Mar 16, 2009 at 5:53 p.m.
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Swisschick... I second your motion!! "jvldss - I almost fell out of my chair laughing at your comment. Perfect!" Great to have a FUN laugh these days! Do I hear a "third"?!
Mar 16, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
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Hey remember when the "Escape to Wisconsin" bumper stickers were out there. Did anyone else have an "Escape Back to Illinois" bumper sticker? They came out shortly after. I had one on my car for a couple of months but finally had to remove it, got way too many scratches on the car.
Mar 16, 2009 at 4:29 p.m.
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jvldss - I almost fell out of my chair laughing at your comment. Perfect!
Mar 16, 2009 at 4 p.m.
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I am not sure what is dumber-this article or the slogan?!
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:54 p.m.
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I don't have a problem with the grammar. It's supposed to be informal, and there's no reason to use formal language in a slogan. My problem is that it's pretty insipid.
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There's still a lot of love out there for "Escape to Wisconsin", if you ask me. (Except for the people who would cut the "to" out of the middle of the bumper sticker...)
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:43 p.m.
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jvldss, beefer, stevelknievel, freddog, carlitosway: Thanks for the humor! Been a long time since I enjoyed reading through the posts. =^,^=
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:14 p.m.
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SuperDave-That's really ironic how you put that. If anyone was to go read your posts on the ice arena, they would realize that you yourself do exactly the same thing. You complain about others opinions. If someone disagrees with your opinion, you are assuming they are complaining about it. In essence, you are doing the exact same thing. You also don't answer everyones questions. Nobody is attacking you because they don't agree with you. I realize you ignore me because I pissed you off and that's fine. And actually funny. But please stop trying to make yourself out to be smarter than everyone else.
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:11 p.m.
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'Lie like you mean it'
Mar 16, 2009 at 3:05 p.m.
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bill6328: Was it Winston Churchill who said, "There are some things up with which we shall not put," or something to that effect?
I mean, come on here. "Live as if you mean it?" Wow!
Good slogan. Show me a state that isn't developing a state brand.
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:56 p.m.
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rockstars: You said "SuperDave, are you stupid? What do veterans have to do with this story at all? And for the record, what veterans should I thank? What are you a vet of?"
To answer your rather rude questions: No. Nothing directly, other than the fact that you complained about people "complaining" about taxes, thus (ironically) exercising your free speech (see my previous response), and that's why I said "btw". Any and all of us. US Navy.
It's always interesting to me when people actually take the time to complain about other peoples opinions, in effect voicing your opinion that their opinion is somehow not valid, and adding nothing to the discussion but rancor. If you disagree, then say so and state your reasons, rather than just going on the attack. Personal attacks are pretty pointless on here - because we are mostly anonymous it means nothing. And another btw, those of you who like to attack - notice that I answered every question. My questions to the attackers generally go unanswered, leaving us to assume that the person is unable to do so.
Everyone have a great St. Patty's Day, I won't be spending a single minute of it on the computer! Get out and enjoy this great weather.
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:31 p.m.
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Or it could be:
"Land of Audrey Seiler"
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:25 p.m.
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is that what some of the feds cash was used to come up with? well, it put a moron to work so the stimulus must be working.
Mar 16, 2009 at 2:16 p.m.
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The state only paid an ad agency in Milwaukee $50,000 for this little gem. They could have popped up a random design and just read the blogs that followed for much better and more appropriate slogans.
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:51 p.m.
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SuperDave, are you stupid? What do veterans have to do with this story at all? And for the record, what veterans should I thank? What are you a vet of?
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:34 p.m.
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"Happy hour, every hour"
Mar 16, 2009 at 1:29 p.m.
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More like: "Governor Doyle welcomes you to Wisconsin. Please empty your pockets after crossing the border"
Mar 16, 2009 at 12:36 p.m.
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"live like your gonna lose it".
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:39 a.m.
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We could live like that if we had a place to live.
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:36 a.m.
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*Live Like Your Unemployement Check Is In the Mail*
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:35 a.m.
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freddog-Trust me, I can't stand Doyle or anything he stands for. It's still very alarming to me that people actually voted for this clown. Yikes.
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:33 a.m.
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It should be *Live Like you Have A Job* or *Live Like Somebody is Hiring*
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:32 a.m.
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it's not whining about what the govenor is going to do next, it's being scared to death..what's the difference between a wisconsin legislator and a leach..the leach let's go when you die..
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:29 a.m.
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we'd all like a cleaner state, so how about "take me to the cleaners"
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.
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It's great to know we have so many positive backers supporting the state they live in. Wow. Scary. "Welcome to Wisconsin, where the adults whine more than the children." Don't worry though, we have the cheese to go with the wine.
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:18 a.m.
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I preferred "Wisconsin In Your Rear-View Mirror"
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:11 a.m.
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I'm still saving one "ESCAPE TO WISCONSIN" bumper sticker from many years ago. I gave a bunch to guys from Illi-noise that I work with.
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.
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I guess that it could be worse.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S...
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:01 a.m.
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Rockstar-State income tax in Illinois 3%, Wisconsin nearly 7%. Property taxes vary but most are comparable to Wisconsin or lower. Gas tax is less as is alcohol and cigarettes.
Which taxes are you talking about?
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.
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The Wis. State Journal's story says that $50,000 was spent on this campaign with a Milwaukee p.r. firm.
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:54 a.m.
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Wait...this story was meant for The Onion, right???
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:46 a.m.
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Usually, when they come out with one of these ridiculous slogans to "rebrand" a state, they'll tell you how much it cost to pay some consulting company to suggest it. Are they too worried about the blowback to tell us the cost now ?
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:34 a.m.
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while we are at it, declare the state insect "the tick" because we'll suck the blood out of you and leave you with lyme disease.
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.
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how about "beer, it's not just for breakfast anymore."?
Mar 16, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.
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How about..."If you don't LIKE it, get the hell out?" That better?
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:53 a.m.
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I will say a full week will pass before UW-Whitewater frats will appropriate the logo, PhotoShop the guy into doing a kegstand and changing live to drink.
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:50 a.m.
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It's bad grammar too. The word "like" should only be used as a preposition, not as a subordinating conjunction.
Remember, "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should?"
Formal English grammar requires, "Live as if you mean it."
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:49 a.m.
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rockstars: Sorry, but we have the right to our opinions regarding the level of taxation or any other subject. If you are "complaining" about our use of the First Amendment, try living in N. Korea for a refreshing change. And btw, you can thank a veteran for your right to blog. Good day.
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:48 a.m.
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Or..."If you don't like it here, go somewhere else."
Mar 16, 2009 at 9:32 a.m.
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To those of you that complain about high taxes, maybe you should consider moving to Illinois. Their taxes are sky-friggin-high. If you don't like it, get out and quit complaining.
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:35 a.m.
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jvldss: You stole my thunder. Exactly what I thought! My suggested slogan: "Wisconsin. Land of cow dung and beer farts:". Okay I'm just kidding, don't anyone have a cow :O)
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:32 a.m.
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Or it should be:
"Here, hold my beer while I try this."
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:31 a.m.
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The image is perfect - looks like the state holding a person upside down trying to get every last penny to shake free from his pockets. Perfect!
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:28 a.m.
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I can see the phrase now, on the rear panel of every U-Haul truck crossing the state border helping people to realize the dream.
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:17 a.m.
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How much did that cost the taxpayers?
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:16 a.m.
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Dumb guys; they won't need to drink and drive, we'll have highspeed rail!
Mar 16, 2009 at 8:04 a.m.
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Given the DUI problem this state has, it should be:
.
“Drink like you mean it . . . then go out for a spin!”
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It amazes me that our government spends money on these things. Not only did they spend untold thousands (hopefully not millions) to come up with this lame nonsense, but they’ll spend more money to take out a copyright. I can only imagine our good neighbours in Minnesota smacking themselves in the head, knowing they missed out on this really catchy phrase.
Mar 16, 2009 at 7:48 a.m.
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Or, "Grab the wheel while I open another one".
Mar 16, 2009 at 7:18 a.m.
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Or how about "Taxed like we mean it."
Mar 16, 2009 at 6:59 a.m.
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It should be:
"Leave the gun, take the canoli."
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