Pure Michigan Photos: There's an App for That
LANSING -- Officials with the state's Pure Michigan marketing program announced a new Facebook app Wednesday that allows fans to include images from the award-winning campaign in their Facebook timeline, Twitter, desktop, iPad or mobile backgrounds.
Fans can choose from 12 different images that highlight Michigan's natural beauty and unique destinations.
"Residents and visitors alike feel a strong connection to the Pure Michigan campaign -- the imagery we use, and the emotions it evokes play a significant role in that," said George Zimmermann, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. "As people share these photos on their own Facebook or Twitter accounts they are helping to spread the word to their friends and followers about why Michigan is America's perfect summer destination."
The new photo app builds on social media efforts that have made Pure Michigan one of the top state tourism Facebook pages in the nation. The PR Daily Awards named Pure Michigan a 2012 finalist for best Facebook page as well as best executed social media contest for the Mitten Wars.
In addition to the 12 images currently available, Pure Michigan plans to add additional images throughout the year. With many people submitting their own Michigan photos on the Pure Michigan Facebook page, another feature of the new app will be one fan photo each month available for download alongside the campaign photos. Pure Michigan's Facebook community will vote to determine each month's fan photo.
After individuals -- who must be a fan of Pure Michigan on Facebook to access the app -- select a photo, they have the ability to download the file that best fits the specific device or social network they are using. Fans are also able to share a link to the app through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest.
Much of the user feedback Travel Michigan receives from the Pure Michigan Facebook page and website includes comments about enjoying the many Michigan photographs featured, as well as a desire to access even more photos from around the state. The new app was motivated in part as a way to respond to that fan demand and encourage active participation through the fan photo feature.
"Social media is a terrific medium for Pure Michigan to be able to engage with our fans on a very personal level," Zimmermann said. "This app is another way for us to involve our fans with the campaign."
More at www.michigan.org.
