Wisconsin and Michigan Win Awards for "Mitten State Debate"

If you remember last winter Travel Wisconsin, the State Tourism office, used a mitten to represent our state for it logo for a seasonal campaign.  Many residents of Michigan were outraged, claiming they were the "Mitten State" (see blog post from December 8th, 2011).

Pure Michigan, that State's Tourism office, and Travel Wisconsin encouraged the debate, all in good fun, and then created the "Great Lakes Mitten Campaign" to collect mittens and warm clothing for charities (see blog post from January 10th, 2012).

Now Michigan and Wisconsin have won the U.S. Travel Association Mercury Award for their handling of "Mittengate".  By promoting the "controvery" both states enjoyed $17 million dollars of free publicity and collected 3,100 mittens and winter clothing items for Wisconsin charities.

See these articles:
Mitten feud wins for Wisc., Mich. tourism officials  - Janesville Gazette
'Mittengate' garners award for Wisconsin tourism agency - The Business Journal
Mitten flap between Michigan and Wisconsin wins state travel departments national recognition - MLive.com

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