Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled a new Virginia is for Lovers commercial on Monday, the state’s first television advertisement in four years.
The new commercial plays up Virginia’s strengths as a family vacation destination – Williamsburg and Virginia Beach were recently ranked first and second, respectively, on TripAdvisor.com as Great U.S. Destinations to Discover for families.
It will take time to see if McDonnell’s investment in tourism will pay off and generate new revenue for the state, but officials must be hoping for better reception to the ad than other campaigns. A Live Passionately campaign, which coincidentally began four years ago, flopped when officials learned the heart-shaped hand gesture used by a model in an advertisement was the same symbol used by members of the Gangster Disciples, a violent gang on the south side of Chicago.
The new ad will air in eight markets: New York City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Raleigh, Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland.
