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Photo: Commerce RI
I've said this for years, Rhode Island has so much potential. It's an underrated state that doesn't get the love it deserves.
The Rhode Island Commerce is hoping to shed some light on the smallest state, by placing oversized stuffies across the country's airports. This is part of a larger, $4.4 million “destination” spending plan that will include various marketing promos.
The Stuffed Quahog, is a clam that was popularized as the Family Guy fictional town, but it's a state delicacy that usually consist of a breadcrumb and minced clam mixture that is baked on the half shell of a quahog hard-shell clam.
So that's definitely an approach. I don't know if the stuffie is the first thing I think of when I think of Rhode Island, but you know what? It's different, it's creative, and it will make people stop and take photos as they bustle through airports. The goal is to create an eye-catching visual intended to make potential visitors curious to learn more.
In various press releases, the Commerce stated the image would be made of a fabrication of various materials and will not be a cardboard cutout and the dimensions are being finalized. The goal of the airport installations are to provide an eye-catching visual intended to make potential visitors curious to learn more about Rhode Island, our cuisine, and allow us to capture their information for remarketing purposes through giveaways,” said Anika Kimble-Huntley, Chief Marketing Officer at Rhode Island Commerce.
Hopefully, they don't fall flat on their face. The Ocean State has had it's blunders with marketing campaigns. The former Chief Marketing Officer under former Governor Gina Raimondo had some memorable and infamous moments trying to market the state. They created a video about the 401, which included stock footage from Iceland as well as the God-awful "Cooler and Warmer" state logo back in 2016.
The Stuffie won't be the only installation. The Commerce mentioned a a Newport Mansion mock-up and other unique aspects of Rhode Island. Could we see Friar Dom overseeing airports? Maybe giant Del's Lemons, or Coffee Milk displays? I hope the state's best marketing minds come together and create something awesome.