Keller @ Large: Rhode Island Tourism Video Uses Shot Of Iceland
BOSTON (CBS) - Let me start by saying - I love Rhode Island.
My beloved wife of 36 years is from there, and I am second to no one in my admiration for the surf at Narragansett, Providence restaurants, and all the other attractions that make Rhode Island such a great, unique place.
Having said that, it does appear that Rhode Island, the littlest state, needs a little help getting its story straight.
A tourism video, a key part of a new multi-million-dollar tourism promotional effort, includes spectacular video of a Rhode Island skateboarder doing his thing by the water's edge. One problem - he's doing it in Reykjavik, Iceland, a blooper that has embarrassed the agency in charge.
And there's major backlash brewing against their new $550,000 tourism slogan: "Cooler & Warmer," which sounds more like a grade C 1980's buddy movie than a successful marketing catchphrase.
As the video demonstrates, Rhode Island has plenty to offer visitors, and I do wish them well. But as presidents and presidential candidates always seem to be discovering, you've got to be careful not to misrepresent yourself, or promise things you cannot deliver.
Why even bother when you've got clam cakes and frozen lemonade to brag about?
The governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, is brushing off the backlash and challenging the critics to check back with her in a year to see if tourism picked up. Governor, I'll do that. And I'll be coming to your beautiful state soon. After all, I've always wanted to visit Iceland.
