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* Press release…

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.

* The ad

Let’s stipulate right up front that the kid is good. So, don’t debate that or the mighty delete button will strike you down. Don’t pick on kids here.

* The Question: Is this an effective ad? Make sure to explain your response.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:20 pm

Comments

  1. It’s great to see a well done and positive commercial on Illinois.

    Comment by Barringont Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:25 pm

  2. -It’s great to see a well done and positive commercial on Illinois. -

    Seconded, good ad.

    Comment by Buford Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:27 pm

  3. 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

    Comment by very old soil Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:30 pm

  4. 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.

    Comment by Steve Rogers Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:35 pm

  5. 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.

    Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:36 pm

  6. 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.

    Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:45 pm

  7. It makes me feel good about being from Illinois.

    Is that the purpose?

    Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:51 pm

  8. **It makes me feel good about being from Illinois.
    Is that the purpose?**

    Absolutely one of the goals, yes!

    Comment by Liandro Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 1:54 pm

  9. 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.

    Comment by Past the Rule of 85 Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm

  10. 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

    Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm

  11. Not that it means anything…..But well done !

    Comment by JDuc Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:01 pm

  12. 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.

    Comment by Twirling Towards Freedom Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:02 pm

  13. 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.

    Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:09 pm

  14. ==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.

    Comment by Name Withheld Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:09 pm

  15. Nice well done ad.
    But I still want to get the heck out of this state ASAP

    Comment by Pieroge tirebiter Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:19 pm

  16. 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.

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:23 pm

  17. 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.

    Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:36 pm

  18. Nice feel good video that goes nowhere. Need a message like Celebrate IL 200th …

    Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:46 pm

  19. 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.

    Comment by A guy Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:48 pm

  20. 2:23 pm was me

    Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 2:50 pm

  21. 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+

    Comment by HCMcB Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 3:02 pm

  22. I liked it very much. It moved right along in a positive vein without causing me pause to have to analyze anything about it.

    Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 3:24 pm

  23. Illinois, stuck in the past because it has no future.

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 4:25 pm

  24. 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.

    Comment by Dome Gnome Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 4:40 pm

  25. She’s great. But, I have no idea what she’s selling.

    Comment by Truth Squad Wednesday, Mar 14, 18 @ 6:52 pm

  26. 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.

    Comment by NorthsideNoMore Thursday, Mar 15, 18 @ 2:12 am

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