Rhode Island surgeon makes, funds tourism ad to replace state’s botched version with Iceland footage

By Steve Pak, | April 29, 2016

Rhode Island Coast

Rhode Island Coast

A new Rhode Island tourism ad was created and paid for by an oral surgeon after the rollout of the New England state's own version that included a picture of Iceland. The state's tourism video released in March was quickly removed after social media commenters noted it showed footage of a concert hall in the capital city Reykjavik.   

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Stephen Skoly is a Cranston surgeon.  When he noticed the state's mistake he thought to himself that the state should be represented in a better tourism advertisement, according to Yahoo.

Skoly used his production company to make a 30-second video that shows local footage. It includes the tagline "Sea Rhode Island."

The Rhode Island surgeon reports that it cost around $575 to make the video, while the original version had a $22,000 price tag. He also paid $3,000 to air the tourism ad on CNN and other local TV channels.

The surgeon says that his video also was a small protest. He argues that local governments often waste taxpayer' money, which results in the state's residents becoming angry and embittered. The tourism campaign is costing the state $5 million, according to The Independent.

In addition to pulling its tourism ad the state chief marketing officer resigned. This was partly due to  the unpopular marketing slogan "Cooler & Warmer."   

After the original ad aired the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's art director first promised that all of the video's shots were from the state. However, an agency spokesperson later stated that the glass building in the advertisement was from a Reykjavik. concert hall.  

Rhode Island spokeswoman Kayla Rosen of the state's economic development agency stated that the tourism campaign's next stage will focus on getting the public involved and hopes that everyone will contribute.

The state agency has plans to open a modern studio in downtown Province. It is also launching a website where Rhode Islanders can post images, videos, and stories about their personal experiences in the Northeast state.  

However, Skoly points out that nobody from the state government has contacted him about his tourism ad. He will decide what to do with the short video based the feedback he receives.

Here's a report on the tourism ad's original version:


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