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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Great Lakes Mitten Campaign

The 'State Mitten War' (see blog post from December 8th) has blossomed into the Great Lakes Mitten Campaign!

Pure Michigan and Travel Wisconsin have teamed up to collect mittens for local charities.  But you only have until January 15th - so check out this website to find the collection location nearest you - Mitten Love

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Who's the Mitten State?

If you are on Twitter or Facebook you already know that Travel Wisconsin, the State Tourism Bureau, has changed it's logo to a mitten that has the shape of Wisconsin.  In fact, they recently changed the original brown mitten to a green and gold one, in light of the Packers success.

What you may not know is that many people in Michigan are quite upset about this.  They believe that their state, not ours, looks like a mitten and that Wisconsin has taken their identity.  Many news stories and blogs have been showing up about this issue.  Here's a selection of them, from both sides, so you can decide where you fall on this mitten state debate.

From WBAY.com in Green Bay - The Great Wisconsin-Michigan Mitten Flap

From Examiner.com - Mittengate - Wisconsin adopts mangled hand logo

From NPR.com - Michiganders Get Territorial About Mitten Comparison

From the Detroit Free Press - Freep.com readers take the gloves off in mitten debate

From USAToday.com - Michigan gives thumbs down to Wisconsin's mitten travel campaign

From the DailyMail.com in the UK - The gloves are off! Michigan and Wisconsin trade blows out over which state looks more like a MITTEN

From Gawker.com - Dumbest War Ever Erupts Over Which State Looks Most Like a Mitten