Representative Doreen Costa Criticizes Spending Millions of Dollars on Rhode Island’s New Marketing Logo and Campaign

3/29/2016

News

STATE HOUSE -- Representative Doreen Costa (R-District 31 North Kingstown, Exeter) is announcing her dissatisfaction and disappointment with the state of Rhode Island hiring a graphic designer to create a new logo for the Ocean State to the tune of $1 million, and hiring a firm to create an entire marketing campaign for a total of $5 million.

“It is unacceptable to me, and should be to the already overly-taxed citizens of Rhode Island, to be forced to pay for such a frivolous expense, when the state has a variety of creative resources available to it to do the same creative work,” said Costa. “The Rhode Island School of Design is one of the premiere art colleges in the country, and right in our own backyard. I am sure the state of Rhode Island could have worked with the school’s elite design team at a fraction of the cost, if not for free,” said Costa. “Furthermore, the state could have held a contest among local artists, and selected a winner, whose work would be spotlighted on a national level, a win-win for both the state and the artist.”

The brand mark of Rhode Island’s new campaign was designed by Milton Glaser, a graphic and architectural designer, who created the “I Love NY” logo.

Costa went on to say, “Aside from cost, I think the logo is boring, simple, plain, and does not evoke feelings of innovation, which Rhode Island is known for. As far as the slogan Cooler & Warmer, it’s totally confusing, and I, nor anyone I’ve spoken with understand what that means. What a terrible waste of money.”

The Cooler and Warmer campaign will incorporate multiple platforms, including a new VisitRhodeIsland.com website, paid advertising, including paid search on Google, Yahoo and Bing, as well as banners on TripAdvisor, Expedia and Travel Channel, among others, social media content and paid engagement on Facebook and Twitter, engagement with Rhode Islanders, industry partners, and editorial influencers.

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For more information, contact:
Raina C. Smith, House Minority Office
State House Room 106
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 222-2259

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In 1636, Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, established the first working model of Democracy after being banished from Massachusetts for his “extreme views” concerning freedom of speech and religion. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams publicly acknowledged Williams as the originator of these concepts, along with the freedom of public assembly, in the First Amendment in the United States Constitution. Today, Rhode Island House Republicans uphold the liberties designed by our Founders and preserved in our Constitution, and are the primary legislative body promoting lean government, fighting for lower taxes, and advocating for initiatives and policies that improve the economy and in turn, the lives of Rhode Islanders. As members of a part-time assembly, we are small business owners, retired educators, community activists, lawyers, farmers, military service veterans, volunteers, former local officials, retired social workers, coaches, musicians, churchgoers and board directors -- bringing these community engagement and professional experiences to our work, on your behalf, at the Rhode Island State House.