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MEGAPHONE THE R.V. Catch-all phrase Rebranding the state not as easy as coming up with clever word play by Richard N. Velotta one is seriously considering that line. The bumper stickers were sent to the state by au- thor Jim Gilmore, who made a presentation at the Tourism Commission's "Rural Roundup" event in April at Lake Tahoe. He noted the state's efforts to brand itself — a difficult task, considering the diverse nature of Nevada. B | 2 JULY 2012 | As all of us who live here know, Nevada is many things to many people. It is mountain vistas and desert landscapes. Glitzy entertainment extravaganzas and ghost towns. Pam- pering spa experiences and extreme sports adven- tures. Cruising casinos and road-tripping to wide- open spaces. Its a monumental task for someone to develop a catchphrase that incorporates that personality with- out stepping on someone else's copyrights. But Seat- tle-based GreenRubino was contracted by the state to try. This month, the Tourism Commission's marketing committee met and talked about some of the final- ists under consideration. Predictably, the public re- sponse was less than glowing. Among the taglines being considered: "ReiNVent," with the state's NV postal code in it; "All in Nevada," playing off poker terminology with the phrase that means being fully engaged (stated differently, it could refer to the variety of things to see and do here); and "Nevada is for Doers," playing off the GreenRubino team's early research that indicated people like the state because there's so much to do. Marketing committee members wanted to have the conversation among themselves so they could bounce the ideas off each other without hearing the inevitable public criticism that would emerge over concepts that are not fully developed. But they couldn't because the open-meeting law requires them to meet in public. The critics didn't disappoint. umper stickers with a pro- spective tourism tagline for the state were passed out at last week's meeting of the Ne- vada Tourism Commission. They read, "Nevada: Califor- nia's Man Cave." Don't worry, it's a joke. No When I reported on the marketing committee's ses- sion, readers tore into the taglines, ignoring Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki's cautionary statement that work on the phrases wasn't finished. It was hard to tell whether people were madder about the fact that a Nevada company didn't get the contract (GreenRubino won it in an adjudicated re- quest for proposals) or that the company's work was going to cost nearly $250,000. A recurring theme, though, was, "I could do better than that…" and "my catch phrase is…" But coming up with a clever branding theme and catchphrase isn't about tossing out a few ideas over beers. To do it right requires research, sitting with customers and gathering their perspectives to deliver a message that resonates. Locals need to remember Marsteller is waiting in the wings to sell the theme to target markets and take advantage of Nevada's lead in mobile marketing. The Johnny-come-latelys who think they've got a better branding idea are about nine months late. that the objective is to find a theme that works to at- tract prospective visitors, not our perceptions about what the state means to us. I've heard numerous accounts about how R&R Part- ners found its way to developing "What happens here, Don't get me wrong. The state shouldn't trot out a Nevada is many things to many people. It's mountain vistas and desert landscapes. Glitzy entertainment extravaganzas and ghost towns. Pampering spa experiences and extreme sports adventures. Cruising casinos and road-tripping to the wide- open spaces. stays here" for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and how much work it involved. When the state began its effort to develop a brand for Nevada more than a year ago, I had a little fun and invited the area's amateur marketers to submit ideas, which I then sent off to the Tourism Commission. GreenRubino began its work last fall. Representa- and developed a profile of the prototypical Nevada visitor. Remember, people who visit the rural parts of the state aren't necessarily the same ones who come to Las Vegas. Now, the work is almost done. A team led by Burson- 17 branding theme if it isn't right. But the commission is populated with people who have done this kind of thing before. Rossi Ralenkotter, acknowledged as one of the nation's best tourism marketers, is among them. The public needs to trust the commission's col- lective judgment and get behind the effort. A good tives interviewed tourists, conducted focus groups message will be chosen, or the commission will send GreenRubino back to the drawing board. If that happens, we've always got "Nevada: Califor- nia's Man Cave." rick.velotta@lasvegassun.com / 259-4061 / @VegasInc_TheRV 20120702_VI17_F.indd 17 6/28/12 2:06:17 PM LEILA NAVIDI