RNC: Minnesotans Put on Happy Faces

By  by Keith Goetzman
Published on August 27, 2008

<p>The Republican National Convention is coming to town, and the mood is, well, hesitant. The decidedly blue-leaning Minneapolis-St. Paul region is doing its best to put on a happy face for the visiting <a href=”/2008-08-25/politics/here-come-the-rich-white-oligarchs.aspx?blogid=30″ target=”_self”>rich white oligarchs</a>, but there’s a palpable if subtle dread among many progressive-minded Twin Citians. The clever “Make an Effort” campaign by Minneapolis ad agency Campbell Mithun on behalf of <a href=”http://theunconvention.com/” target=”_blank”>The UnConvention</a> plays off these fears:</p>
<p>
<b>Ad:</b> Park</p>
<p>
<b>Background:</b> The Twin Cities have one of the most vibrant GLBT communities in the United States. This ad is set in Minneapolis’ Loring Park, the site of the annual Pride Fest and a well-known gay hangout.</p>
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<p>
<b>Ad:</b> Limo</p>
<p>
<b>Background:</b> The <i>
<a href=”http://www.oldenburgvanbruggen.com/spoonbridge.htm” target=”_blank”>Spoonbridge and Cherry</a>
</i> sculpture at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is a local icon because, well, it’s a local icon. For many Minnesotans, a Twin Cities visit just wouldn’t be complete without a pilgrimage to the mega-maraschino.</p>
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<p>
<b>Ad:</b> Pin</p>
<p>
<b>Background:</b> The Minneapolis-St. Paul area has as many tattoos per square foot of flesh, and nose rings per nostril, as any hipster den in the United States.</p>
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<p>(Thanks, <a href=”http://www.minnesotaindependent.com/” target=”_blank”>Minnesota Independent</a>.)</p>
<p>
</p>

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