The Illinois Bicentennial Commission today released its first video commercial promoting the state’s 200th birthday. The :30 second spot is the center point of a statewide multimedia campaign named after the theme of the yearlong celebration: BORN, BUILT & GROWN in Illinois.
The campaign, which will run from now until the 200th birthday party on December 3, 2018, will showcase Illinois’ influence on the worlds of music, sports, agriculture, literature, commerce, history, technology and innovation, transportation, art and architecture, among others.
The content for the effort is pre-produced and being distributed statewide for carriage on television, radio, digital and social media. The messages can be run as public service announcements by media outlets or packaged by outlets for sponsorship by local advertisers. The Illinois Broadcasters Association is the distributor.
“We’re delighted with this creativity and the opportunity it now provides our association’s members in seeking local sponsorships,” remarked Dennis Lyle, president and CEO, Illinois Broadcasters Association.
The content was produced by Chicago-based AnswersMedia and paid for with private funds.
The Bicentennial program incorporates material supplied by Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Illinois Association of Museums, Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois State Museum.
-It’s great to see a well done and positive commercial on Illinois. -
Seconded, good ad.
- very old soil - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:30 pm:
The term is soil, not dirt. Even if it is under your fingernails.
The wealth of Illinois is in her soil, and her strength lies in its intelligent development.”
— ANDREW SLOAN DRAPER,
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS President 1894-1904
There’s nothing wrong with using the word “dirt” in this context. I’ve never heard anyone say “my hands are soily” after working in the fields or gardens.
I find the script and tag line less than inspiring. I would like to see other options. This seems like a quick-and-dirty effort.
Seriously, “how our rivers flow?” (gently, I’m sure). “The grease on our elbows?” I get it, but c’mon. It’s an awkward reworking of a dated idiom. (Anyway, the “grease” would be internal, lubricating the bone, not on your skin; that’s just dirty).
A strong call-to-action or at least popping the website better would be good, too.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
Kid is great. Real question is, what audience are they aiming for and what is the purpose? Are they attempting to rally Illinois citizens to make us feel good about our state? Are they using this for promotional purposes-getting Amazon here? Certainly all of us who call Illinois home have very little to feel good about with Illinois so a little self help talk might not be a bad idea.
**It makes me feel good about being from Illinois.
Is that the purpose?**
Absolutely one of the goals, yes!
- Past the Rule of 85 - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm:
Not inspired. I would rather see an ad that told the country they’re lucky to have us…Lincoln, Reagan and Obama, XX Nobel prize winners, the internet, breadbasket to the world, etc. Come visit us and see what’s next.
It is a pretty ad as too visuals Effective? I don’t know. What is the point of the ad? If I knew what it was trying to do I would know if it was effective or not
- Twirling Towards Freedom - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:02 pm:
The ad is fine, but getting Illinoisians to feel pride in the State right now is a pretty steep uphill climb. Even seeing Lincoln, which used to inspire me, just makes me think about how he would be shaking his head at this mess. Maybe people who don’t follow State politics are less cynical.
Great quote from Andrew Sloan Draper, Now, of only, our GA realizes the importance of improving the “intelligent development” of our state by aggressively preserving and adequately funding the precious resources we still have - our Universities.
- Name Withheld - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:09 pm:
==The term is soil, not dirt. Even if it is under your fingernails.==
Quibbling on minutia is pedantic. I don’t get soily - I get dirty. Illinoians get their hands dirty (in a good way).
The ad is effective, all the more so because of the delivery. My gut react on the first viewing was that I felt proud to be an Illinoian - which is not something I can recall actively feeling in recent years.
The visuals didn’t bother me at all - maybe because of the simplicity of the actor in the piece. Her delivery wasn’t forced or affected. It was simply and honestly spoken.
OK PSA. Agree with very old soil on the “dirt” reference, though. As an old aggie, soil is the proper term to use. Also, what’s with the wheat on steroids in the opening scenes. They couldn’t find a field of waving corn or soybeans? Liked the word art at the end. Nice incorporation of a variety of pictures representing Illinois. But, next time, use a varied focus group for input to catch some of the squirmy details.
Gov. Gaslight does not strike me as the kind of person who can devote even two seconds of caring for Illinois’ bicentennial. Would that this had come during the term of any governor but him.
It’s got a quick pace of visuals, a bit quick for my liking, but the visuals are breath taking and vintage Illinois scenes. It’s gracious in tone. There isn’t an overriding theme to it, but it generates very good feeling.
It’s positive, the kid is good (the most memorable aspect of the spot) but it lacks a slogan/image that sticks with you. I watched it twice but I can’t remember all three words on the screen at the end. C+
I like it and I’m also looking forward to buying some of the commemorative stamps from USPS. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any reason to affiliate with our sad-sack state. I’ll take it.
She’s great. But, I have no idea what she’s selling.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 2:12 am:
I need more….but a good start , kicking off a summer of love for the once great state. Hope there is more that accentuates our past and moves to the present and beyond. Take me through the 200 in a series of these.
- Barringont - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:25 pm:
It’s great to see a well done and positive commercial on Illinois.
- Buford - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
-It’s great to see a well done and positive commercial on Illinois. -
Seconded, good ad.
- very old soil - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:30 pm:
The term is soil, not dirt. Even if it is under your fingernails.
The wealth of Illinois is in her soil, and her strength lies in its intelligent development.”
— ANDREW SLOAN DRAPER,
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS President 1894-1904
- Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:35 pm:
There’s nothing wrong with using the word “dirt” in this context. I’ve never heard anyone say “my hands are soily” after working in the fields or gardens.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:36 pm:
I find the script and tag line less than inspiring. I would like to see other options. This seems like a quick-and-dirty effort.
Seriously, “how our rivers flow?” (gently, I’m sure). “The grease on our elbows?” I get it, but c’mon. It’s an awkward reworking of a dated idiom. (Anyway, the “grease” would be internal, lubricating the bone, not on your skin; that’s just dirty).
A strong call-to-action or at least popping the website better would be good, too.
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:45 pm:
Kid is great. Real question is, what audience are they aiming for and what is the purpose? Are they attempting to rally Illinois citizens to make us feel good about our state? Are they using this for promotional purposes-getting Amazon here? Certainly all of us who call Illinois home have very little to feel good about with Illinois so a little self help talk might not be a bad idea.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:51 pm:
It makes me feel good about being from Illinois.
Is that the purpose?
- Liandro - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:54 pm:
**It makes me feel good about being from Illinois.
Is that the purpose?**
Absolutely one of the goals, yes!
- Past the Rule of 85 - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm:
Not inspired. I would rather see an ad that told the country they’re lucky to have us…Lincoln, Reagan and Obama, XX Nobel prize winners, the internet, breadbasket to the world, etc. Come visit us and see what’s next.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm:
It is a pretty ad as too visuals Effective? I don’t know. What is the point of the ad? If I knew what it was trying to do I would know if it was effective or not
- JDuc - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm:
Not that it means anything…..But well done !
- Twirling Towards Freedom - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:02 pm:
The ad is fine, but getting Illinoisians to feel pride in the State right now is a pretty steep uphill climb. Even seeing Lincoln, which used to inspire me, just makes me think about how he would be shaking his head at this mess. Maybe people who don’t follow State politics are less cynical.
- illini - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:09 pm:
Great quote from Andrew Sloan Draper, Now, of only, our GA realizes the importance of improving the “intelligent development” of our state by aggressively preserving and adequately funding the precious resources we still have - our Universities.
- Name Withheld - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:09 pm:
==The term is soil, not dirt. Even if it is under your fingernails.==
Quibbling on minutia is pedantic. I don’t get soily - I get dirty. Illinoians get their hands dirty (in a good way).
The ad is effective, all the more so because of the delivery. My gut react on the first viewing was that I felt proud to be an Illinoian - which is not something I can recall actively feeling in recent years.
The visuals didn’t bother me at all - maybe because of the simplicity of the actor in the piece. Her delivery wasn’t forced or affected. It was simply and honestly spoken.
I loved it.
- Pieroge tirebiter - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:19 pm:
Nice well done ad.
But I still want to get the heck out of this state ASAP
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:23 pm:
OK PSA. Agree with very old soil on the “dirt” reference, though. As an old aggie, soil is the proper term to use. Also, what’s with the wheat on steroids in the opening scenes. They couldn’t find a field of waving corn or soybeans? Liked the word art at the end. Nice incorporation of a variety of pictures representing Illinois. But, next time, use a varied focus group for input to catch some of the squirmy details.
- Nick Name - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:36 pm:
Gov. Gaslight does not strike me as the kind of person who can devote even two seconds of caring for Illinois’ bicentennial. Would that this had come during the term of any governor but him.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:46 pm:
Nice feel good video that goes nowhere. Need a message like Celebrate IL 200th …
- A guy - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:48 pm:
It’s got a quick pace of visuals, a bit quick for my liking, but the visuals are breath taking and vintage Illinois scenes. It’s gracious in tone. There isn’t an overriding theme to it, but it generates very good feeling.
It’s a gracious and lovely ad. Hope we see more.
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:50 pm:
2:23 pm was me
- HCMcB - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 3:02 pm:
It’s positive, the kid is good (the most memorable aspect of the spot) but it lacks a slogan/image that sticks with you. I watched it twice but I can’t remember all three words on the screen at the end. C+
- Joe M - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 3:24 pm:
I liked it very much. It moved right along in a positive vein without causing me pause to have to analyze anything about it.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 4:25 pm:
Illinois, stuck in the past because it has no future.
- Dome Gnome - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 4:40 pm:
I like it and I’m also looking forward to buying some of the commemorative stamps from USPS. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any reason to affiliate with our sad-sack state. I’ll take it.
- Truth Squad - Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 6:52 pm:
She’s great. But, I have no idea what she’s selling.
- NorthsideNoMore - Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 2:12 am:
I need more….but a good start , kicking off a summer of love for the once great state. Hope there is more that accentuates our past and moves to the present and beyond. Take me through the 200 in a series of these.