Illinois is the epicenter of everything– from culture to food, to history, nightlife, and even natural wonders. A tourism campaign, which was just unveiled on Monday, seeks to highlight just that.
Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress, and New York Times best-selling author, Jane Lynch directed and starred in the commercial, winning everyone over with her trademark humor. Lynch grew up in Illinois and is also an alum of Chicago’s famed Second City and Steppenwolf Theatre.
While are various 30-second ads, Lynch always plays an official Illinois’ tour guide– a role she takes on with aplomb and wit as she showcases iconic attractions around the state. Chicago highlights include: exploring the Art Institute, enjoying the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago’s Navy Pier and the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, along with setting sail on a Tall Ship Windy boat.
The ad spots include multiple 30-second features ready to go. All of the clips aim to highlight Illinois as the direct center of it all– from outdoor adventures, to must-have food, to incredible architectural feats, and more. The $30.3 million campaign feature wants to attract out-of-state visitors to help accelerate the state’s tourism recovery. It makes sense that the state would want to reinvigorate the tourism and hospitality industry, as it plays a big part in the states economy.
Springfield, the Historic Route 66, and the Garden of the Gods in Shawnee National Forest are also featured in the ads with locations including the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, Cozy Dog Drive In in Springfield, the Grafton Sky Tour, and more.
The TV spots are all set to run in eight states. The ads will also appear in local, regional, and national digital and print media along with social media posts. You’ll even see Jane Lynch for Illinois on s highway billboards, bus signage, and wallscapes, too!
Here are Jane’s favorite local spots as an Illinois tour guide. Check out the Middle of Everything website here. Watch the commercial here.