(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/15/2023) Pure Michigan? That was yesterday's marketing message for tourists.
Today, Michigan is prodding the LGBTQ+ and pro-choice community to move from their bright red states to a more “welcoming” Michigan.
A recent digital ad appeared on the social media site Reddit that appeared to be from Texas and touted personal rights and diversity with the messaging through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Otie McKinley, an MEDC spokesperson, said the picture of the Facebook advertisement that was posted to the r/Michigan subreddit was paid for through business marketing funds and not a part of one of the three “Pure” campaigns.
"These digital ads in target markets are all about promoting people and personal rights here in Michigan while also highlighting attributes of living, working and thriving in Michigan,” McKinley said.
He said the campaigns are a part of a larger effort to attract talent and businesses to the state, which is a core purpose of the MEDC.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had also been courting the youth by going to where they are on platforms such as Twitch, a video game streaming site, and Comedy Central’s Daily Show.
In May, the Pure Michigan advertising campaign also announced it would be updated to appeal to a younger audience. The marketing campaign has been around since 2006, and has since been joined by “Pure Opportunity” and “Pure Partnership” campaigns at the MEDC.
The update added Detroit poet Jessica Care Moore to the original voice over of actor Tim Allen. The brand also added “Fresh” to the name.
McKinley also said that MEDC was in the process of a new marketing campaign that would be focused on recruiting new talent to the state. He said it would be in conjunction with Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, who was announced during the Growing Michigan Together Council event at the Detroit Regional Mackinac Policy Conference in June.
The marketing campaign was expected to be launched soon, McKinley said.
“We are focusing our efforts acutely on that very thing,” he said.
