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Economic development commission to air commercials on CNN Friday, Feb 22, 2008 By Jason Wiest Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A new set of television commercials highlighting Arkansas' major industries and exports is the newest bait economic development officials said Thursday they will use to lure new businesses to the state. The slate of 15-second spots will showcase the state's existing industries and resources to make known to other companies that Arkansas also could support their business, Arkansas Economic Development Commission spokesman Joe Holmes said. Officials say they hope the commercials, which will air nationally on CNN between March and June, will change outsiders' perceptions of the state. "It's not like a 'Boy you do this (advertising) one time and people come flooding in the door' thing," Holmes said. "This is all about perception, trying to change that perception and trying to drive people back to a Web site where they can learn more." The current perception of outsiders, most importantly professionals who serve as site consultants for companies looking for new locations and company executives themselves, isn't necessarily a negative one, Holmes said. The presidential campaign has brought positive publicity to the state through its ties to two candidates, Holmes said. But the new commercials will promote the state's strengths and what it has to offer to industries, showing that Arkansas is open for business, he said. "We want the aerospace industry to know that this is our No. 1 export, this is a strength of ours," Holmes said. More than 10,000 Arkansans are employed in the aerospace and aviation industry, and economic development officials believe there's potential to bring more of those jobs to the state, he said. AEDC officials conducted a study last year to determine what industries the state should target for recruitment. The commercials will target those industries, which fall into three categories: growth manufacturing, technology and clean, green and sustainable. Specific industries the commercials will target include wind power, natural foods, bioscience, automotive assembly and data centers. The commercials cost the department about $370,000, Holmes said. The department has a long history of trying to lure industries with both television and print advertisements, he said. |
