COlovesCA - California, you're still the one!
Valentine's weekend marketing blitz in L.A. to build on Colorado's brand awareness in the Golden state
Last year, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) took to the skies with a plane trailing an 80-foot-long "Colorado Loves CA" Valentine banner to first declare its love for the Golden state, thus kicking off the highly successful COLORADOlovesCA campaign.
This weekend, Colorado will again stake its claim on Valentine's Day in California with a multitier marketing initiative to build on the state's brand awareness among C-level executives and promote company expansion and new job creation in the Centennial state.
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter issued an official proclamation declaring Friday, Feb. 12 Colorado Loves California Day, the first time a governor has officially professed love for another state. The proclamation details the fact that Colorado and California share many companies and both states rely upon each other for innovation, venture capital, and customers.
Today, a Valentine's-themed ad ran in the business section of the L.A. Times touting that the Mile High State is a perfect match for Sea-Level companies looking to expand their operations. And Fortune 500 and cleantech executives will soon realize Colorado is sweet on them when they receive a package from Colorado complete with a custom valentine and chocolate hearts.
"I hope our light-hearted campaign does convey that we are in this for the long run," explained Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "The entire West needs California. It is the innovation hub of the nation and the source of many jobs that are spun out to the Western states." Read more about Clark's "special" take of COlovesCA in his blog.
A small army of Colorado Cupids will hit streets of L.A. today to share the state's unending devotion by handing out valentines and candy. In true Hollywood style, Colorado Cupid auditions were held. See the YouTube video.
The campaign will also hit the airwaves with afternoon drive-time love song dedications to California on KBIG-FM, from you guessed it, Colorado. And when the Colorado Avalanche meet the L.A. Kings on Saturday, our cupids will give hugs and kisses instead of "checks" outside the Staples Center.
Expansions by California companies into Metro Denver over the past year include the corporate headquarters relocation of DaVita, and expansions by Charles Schwab, SolarCity, SunRun, and Intuit. Most recently, SPG Solar announced it will locate a regional office in Metro Denver. The San Francisco Bay area company is a proven leader in designing and installing high-performance solar photovoltaic systems. According to Matt Wassam of SPG Solar, the company wanted to expand further into the eastern United States and considered "numerous" locations in the Rocky Mountain West and Texas.
"We selected Metro Denver because of the extremely favorable climate that Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has established for renewable energy companies," said Wassam. He added that Gov. Ritter's support of an increased Renewable Portfolio Standard of 30 percent for Colorado--the most aggressive in the Rocky Mountain West--will help the state's cleantech industry grow exponentially.
The Metro Denver EDC will follow up with trips to meet with California companies, site selectors, and media. "We predict our 'signs of love' will make a big impression in California," said Janet Fritz, director of marketing for the Metro Denver EDC. "We have so much to offer expanding California companies--a more stable regulatory environment, new business incentives, and lower business and living costs."
Learn more:
COlovesCA online