Social media is in a frenzy after tourism officials announced the new slogan for our state. They've replaced “Nebraska Nice” and “The Good Life”. The new slogan: Nebraska: honestly, it's not for everyone.
Nebraska Tourism Board director, John Ricks, said the new ad campaign is honest, edgy and something that Nebraska needed to increase tourism.
The new sales pitch will debut in 2019. It will feature ads saying things like "Lucky for you there is nothing to do here." Some Nebraskans feel the campaign won't make out of towners eager to visit. “I don't know...are we trying to keep people away?” said resident, Maria Yearian. "If you're telling me right off the bat, it's not for everybody maybe I don't even want to try it,” said resident, Brian Emmel.
Ricks said the slogan isn't aimed at those who live in the state. Visitors nick Newman and Natalie Murz find the humor in the new slogan. "I think people take stuff too seriously and maybe it's actually worked against the state in the past, but it would be nice to have something that is a little bit more fun and light-hearted,” said Newman. "I like the humor factor in the new one, the sarcasm is nice,” said Murz.
Ricks said tourism is the state's third-largest revenue source and since 2013 it was considered the least likely state to visit; so, tourism officials felt a need to shake things up. “If we didn't go out and do something different to get the attention and to start changing the perceptions, then we would just continue down the path,” he said.
Whether people were for or against the slogan, they could agree Nebraska offers more than it seems. “I think people need to give it a try and see what Nebraska has to offer, and I think they'll be surprised,” said Emmel. “We're not apologizing for anything, there's wonderful stuff to do here and if that's the kinda thing you like, welcome,” said Ricks.
This ad campaign has been in the works for about a year and a half, and the rebranding cost $450,000.
