Image via Twitter
New York City is putting its heroes in a half shell to work, utilizing the special skills that come with being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle to spark tourism.
NYC & Company, in conjunction with Nickelodeon, recently announced Leonardo (who leads), Donatello (fond of machines), Raphael (a cool but rather rude chap) and Michelangelo (a formidable party dude) will serve as the Official NYC Family Ambassadors for the next year.
This means the turtles will be tasked with handling any Foot Clan uprising or any schemes launched by Krang.
More importantly, however, it means the beloved characters will also highlight some of the amazing sights families can enjoy throughout the city.
Basically, they will be your wisecracking tour guides.
And there are some comic stills to kick off the campaign and illustrate how useful a group of superheroes can be for tourism.
Fred Dixon, president and CEO of NYC & Company, offered thoughts on the turtle influx: "We're excited to enlist the help of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, four dynamic and adventurous New Yorkers, to welcome family travelers to NYC. Known by visitors from around the world, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the perfect guides to help families discover the vibrancy and excitement throughout the five boroughs."
Some of you with kids might recall that the ambassador program has been around for some time now.
In 2009, NYC welcomed Sesame Street characters into the fold, followed by the Smurfs, Muppets, Waldo of "Where's Waldo?" fame, Curious George and Dora the Explorer who last year brought along some friends.
And the campaign has worked. Via NYC & Company, "Since the launch of the Family Ambassador program in 2009, family visitation to New York City has grown by 32.6 percent and is currently 30 percent of total visitation to New York City."
As for where you will see the pizza-loving turtles, the release states that you may catch a glimpse in a taxi or around town. Chicago and Boston will also get some turtle power, enticing locals in those cites. Various activations are also promised.
This all means that New York City is safe, for the moment, from Shredder and his minions.
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