We saw this sign as we were walking in the Chicago Loop on Friday night. Since we were in the Theater District, I thought at first there was some new production coming out, but then I looked closer. It's promoting the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum and is a new addition to the Offbeat Illinois campaign by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
I love the campaign and even wrote about it last year. It features little quirky tourist attractions and unusual sights around the state, all presented in a humorous and intriguing way.
Here are some of the new posters that have come out since my last post.
I'm serious this time. I really am going to buy a set of the magnets. They're only $2.99 each.
This is great! I've never head about "Offbeat Chicago" before. I'm definitely going to have to check some of these things out.
ReplyDeleteI am only about 30 miles outside Chicago and haven't been in over a year. I miss all they have to offer.
ReplyDelete@rachel - There are some interesting looking things, and they're all around the state. If you look at the posters, a lot of the Offbeat Illinois things deal with food, which is right up your blogging alley. :)
ReplyDelete@The Hunter's Wife - It's amazing all there is to see and do in Chicago. But it really is a chore to get downtown sometimes with the traffic. When the roads are clear, I wonder why I don't go in more often, but when there's traffic, I remember why.
Extremely clever tourism promotion ideas!
ReplyDeleteI'm from Pittsburgh, and while some of our sports advertising goes the clever, quirky direction along these lines, marketing the city itself hasn't made it that far.
I'd LOVE it if we had promos like this. I think it would help remind folks locally the great stuff we have to be proud of-- or at least make people laugh a little.
PS- Chicago's a great city! Always had a blast there (and pizza). :)
OH! OH! I want one of the Mermet Springs ones!!! I must go order one.
ReplyDeleteSigh. Some days, I really REALLY miss Chicago. I miss Giordano's, even though cheese is very bad for me. I miss the Loop and the El. Actually, I think the only thing I DON'T miss is the weather. :)
@Jenn - Since the campaign has been going on for a few years now, I'm guessing it's pretty successful. These posters also have the added appeal, to me, of feeling instantly vintage. And, you'll always win points around here by praising Chicago pizza. :)
ReplyDelete@Kelly - I had to Google Mermet Springs. Turns out its an old quarry that's run as a dive center. They've sunk old airplanes and buses, etc., to create diving features. And about Chicago, is the weather really that different from where you are now in New York?