WHY IT RATES: The travel ad reaches a new level with technicolor animation that captures the state. -Janeen Christoff, TravelPulse Senior Writer.
In a shift away from the grand, scenic imagery commonly used in tourism marketing, Travel Oregon's 2018 spring campaign breaks the mold, using delightful, technicolor animation to evoke what photography sometimes cannot - the magical feeling of being in Oregon.
The aptly named "Only Slightly Exaggerated" campaign is a fanciful, high-energy cinematic animation of Oregon's majestic and diverse natural features and range of outdoor adventures-from mountain biking the North Umpqua Trail to swimming at Trillium Lake to hot air ballooning over Willamette Valley wine country.
"The goal of this campaign is to welcome and inspire people to come find happiness by vacationing in Oregon," said Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson. "As more travelers seek health and wellness, alongside memorable and shareable moments, the time is right to showcase the outdoor adventures available in every corner of the state and build upon the $11.3 billion a year in visitor spending that directly employs more than 109,000 Oregonians."
The campaign has launched in Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, and Phoenix. The media buy includes cinema, television, digital and out of home. The campaign will be further extended online throughout the year with immersive new content, GIFs, stills and short animations featuring Oregon's seven tourism regions.
"We thought Oregon deserved better than just another travel ad," said Wieden+Kennedy art director Nick Stokes. "So we turned to animation to try and capture its magic. We're very proud of the work, and I'm honored to represent my home state in such a unique way."
The campaign, produced in partnership with Wieden+Kennedy, features a 90-second animated video with an original score performed by the Oregon Symphony.
For inspiration, animators traveled the state to experience the natural splendor and geographic distinction-from Eastern Oregon to the Oregon Coast to Southern Oregon.
A diverse cast of animated human characters and native Oregon flora and fauna are also featured prominently, including a larger-than-life bunny, cycling caterpillar and grey whales breaching in the clouds.
While the animation is fantastical and magical, each location featured in the 90-second spot is a real place you can visit in Oregon-Only Slightly Exaggerated.
SOURCE: Travel Oregon press release.
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