A friend of mine suggested that Minnesota’s next legislative session should be planned during the State Fair in August. Known as the “Great Minnesota Get Together” maybe all of the legislators and the governor could meet daily in the Grandstand with 20,000 people watching and reach agreement on something. If anything it might even save the State Fair money by replacing an entertainer…maybe Willie Nelson??
With Governor Pawlenty’s announcement of budget balancing cuts, predictions of more “doom and gloom” echo from every local television news show and from every politician’s press conference. Sensing the mood, I think its becoming increasing difficult to maintain a positive attitude. And anyone in business, sales or marketing know just what a powerful influence attitude is.
Our friends in the Dakota’s have a lot of economic statistics that they are using in a positive way to help their citizens attitudes. One of the more impressive campaigns is the INVEST IN YOUR VALLEY campaign being coordinated by television station KVLY in Fargo. The campaign is a series of 15 second spots highlighting success stories featuring prominent business and political leaders. Its mission is to demonstrate the economic fortitude of the Red River Valley.
Click here for an example:
http://www.valleynewslive-ondemand.com/video/invest/invest_in_your_valley_fargo_mayor.shtml
There are 16 separate messages that alternate during the day on the station. Many who get that station here in Bemidji on cable and on satellite have commented positively on the concept. I know several business and civic leaders from the area continue to tinker with a similar campaign for the Bemidji Area.
South Dakota also has had the favor of great economic news in the past several months. Sioux Falls was recently ranked as the top small metropolitan area in the NATION for business and careers by Forbes.com. The city was also just featured in a Los Angeles Times story in April as an example of a city that has avoided much of the effects of the national recession.
Unfortunately, Minnesota does not have the economic statistics to flaunt to the public. But its still ranks highly on many peoples standards for QUALITY OF LIFE issues. That’s why I was so pleased while watching public television the other night a 30 second ad from a group called 1000 Friends of Minnesota. This non-profit organization
(http://www.1000fom.org/index.htm)
states its mission is to “promote development that creates healthy communities while conserving natural areas, family farms, woodlands and water”. Nine 30 second ads have been produced called “Legacy Letters”. They are well done “feel good” spots showcasing things like healthcare and the arts. But it goes beyond tangibles and statistics and touches on emotions. One of the best spots I felt was titled “Compassion”. Unfortunately these spots are being shown on the Minnesota Channel, a digital channel offshoot of Twin Cities Public Television and are probably not getting the exposure they deserve.
Everyone knows how attitudes can affect momentum and can influence a community and a state. And everyone knows how effective a great marketing concept can be. Hopefully there will be more positive marketing done to influence and touch our daily lives, no matter what state we live in.
Watch any of the 9 30 second LEGACY LETTER spots:
http://www.youtube.com/user/1000FriendsofMN
