EnviroNews
For Immediate Release:
For information contact:
Brenda Flores-Dollar, TxDOT, 512-486-5904
bfdolla@dot.state.tx.us
Kelli Johnson, EnviroMedia, 512-476-4368, ext. 310
512-784-8507 (cell)
kjohnson@enviromedia.com
"Don’t Mess with Texas” Finalist for America’s Favorite Slogan
All Texans urged to vote beginning June 20
(AUSTIN, Texas) –“Don’t Mess with Texas” has been nominated as one of America’s all-time favorite slogans along with some of the most-recognized and effective catch phrases in advertising history.
The Texas Department of Transportation’s litter prevention slogan is keeping high-profile company in the competition with Nike’s “Just Do It,” Maxwell House’s “Good to the Last Drop” and “Got Milk?” from the California Milk Processors Board.
Now it’s up to voters to decide which is their favorite in the 3rd Annual Advertising Week Walk of Fame competition sponsored by Yahoo! and USA Today. Advertising Week, held in New York City in late September, is North America’s largest annual gathering of advertising and media industry decision-makers. Slogan voting officially kicks off June 20 in Times Square and culminates with the announcement of winners during Advertising Week September 29.
“With 22 million Texans and countless Americans who have enjoyed traveling the beautiful Lone Star State, we figure Don’t Mess with Texas has just as good a chance as any to be selected as a beloved advertising slogan,” said Doris Howdeshell, Travel Division director for the Texas Department of Transportation. “That’s why we’re calling on all native Texans or anyone who is a Texan at heart to take one minute to vote for Don’t Mess with Texas and to ask all their friends, family and coworkers to vote.”
Champions of Don’t Mess with Texas can vote by visiting www.VoteDMWT.com. The site will automatically redirect to the Advertising Week’s slogan voting page hosted by Yahoo. The official launch of the national campaign is Tuesday, June 20, at 11 a.m. on Military Island in Times Square. Representatives of each slogan and 26 other advertising icon nominees such as the Jolly Green Giant and Morris the Cat will gather in Times Square for the kickoff, which will air live on the giant Reuters screen.
To help Don’t Mess with Texas create a dramatic presence at the kickoff in Times Square, Texas college alumni groups and organizations in New York have been invited to participate in a “flash mob” generated by viral e-mails. Everyone who loves Don’t Mess with Texas is encouraged to convene at Military Island in Times Square wearing Texas gear and waving Texas flags. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a free Don’t Mess with Texas T-shirt or bumper sticker.
Vote Don’t Mess with Texas
Don’t Mess with Texas — the most successful litter prevention public service campaign in history — is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. If it wins, Don’t Mess with Texas will earn a spot on New York’s famous Madison Avenue for the whole world to admire.
“Of course we’ve thought for a long time we have one of the best slogans out there,” said Howdeshell. “And we certainly know it works. Litter in Texas is down and awareness of the campaign is at an all time high. Now we just need Texans to show their state spirit and vote.”
The public can vote for its favorite icon and slogan until September 28. Only one vote per computer is allowed.
Twenty-five other well-known slogans have also been nominated including:
- "Have it your way," Burger King
- "Time to make the donuts," Dunkin' Donuts
- "M’m! M’m! Good!," Campbell's Soup
- "The incredible edible egg," American Egg Board
- “Nothing Beats a Great Pair of L’eggs,” L’eggs
- “The Breakfast of Champions,” Wheaties
- “When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight,” Federal Express
“Winning America’s favorite slogan would be a great way to celebrate this year’s 20th anniversary of the campaign and to demonstrate to the rest of the world that great Texas pride,” said Howdeshell. “I know Texans can put Don’t Mess with Texas on the Advertising Walk of Fame where it belongs. We’re not just selling product but working to retain the natural beauty of our great state.”
The winners get a bronze plaque that will rest on Madison Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets and victory banners lining Madison Avenue in the same area. The winner also receives permanent recognition in the Advertising Icon Museum in Kansas City.