FloridaToday.com: Florida League of Cities Launches Ad Campaign to Promote Tourism in State’s Panhandle Region
Dec 13, 2010
FloridaToday.com published the following article about a Florida League of Cities advertising campaign launched on December 9, 2010 that is designed to promote tourism in the State’s Panhandle region:
Fla. League of Cities promoting Panhandle
By Bill Cotterell
Florida Capital Bureau
Published December 10, 2010
Eager to dispel harmful misinformation about last summer’s oil spill, the Florida League of Cities began an advertising campaign promoting Panhandle tourism Thursday.
“We never really were impacted by the oil at all – maybe a few tar balls here and there in the June-July timeframe – but it’s over,” Mayor Sarah “Sam” Seevers of Destin said at a news conference. “We need to put a nail in the coffin of the myths that have been happening. Our beaches are beautiful, the water is clear, it’s safe to eat the seafood.”
The “Fall in love with Northwest Florida” campaign is specially aimed at state residents, reminding Floridians that resorts in the region are convenient, relatively inexpensive and not damaged by the Deepwater Horizon disaster. The spots feature mayors of three vacation towns – Seevers, Mike Anderson of Fort Walton Beach and Gayle Oberst of Panama City Beach – tossing a beach ball and extolling the pleasures of Panhandle vacationing.
“Our member cities were deeply impacted by the BP oil spill at the height of their tourist season,” said Rebecca O’Hara, legislative affairs director of the League of Cities.
Anderson said that in July, normally the peak of the tourist season, vacation-related revenues were off by about 23 percent in the region.
The state got millions from BP for tourism advertising but Anderson said the money is running out. He said “it’s really important to re-establish our brand” in the minds of travelers, starting with fellow Floridians.
“We need your help to spread the word that the beaches are clean and the fish is ready to be eaten,” he said.
Seevers said many hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions are offering discounts.
The TV spots conclude, “You’re family, Florida, and we welcome you.”
Janice Caluda, vice president of the Florida Cable Telecommunications Association, said her organization will donate four free TV spots for every one paid for by the League of Cities. She said the commercials will run all over the state for six months.