Codebreaker

Vermonters get a turn to be the mouth of the state

Marc Sanchez Jul 27, 2012


According to the latest census data, residents of Vermont have the second-oldest median age in the country, which doesn’t bode well if you’re trying to attract tourists and new residents – maple tree tapping and leaf peeping can only get you so far in this world. To attract a younger audience, the state’s  tourism department has taken to Twitter. The department is one-upping simply tweeting the Top 10 Most Awesomest Things To Do With Syrup. In an idea nicked from @Sweden, Vermont is letting its residents take control of the @ThisIsVt Twitter account for a week at a time.

The New York Times writes, “within four days, the feed had over 560 followers.” First up, Ken Millman, an advertiser who has done work for the state’s tourism department. Not a huge stretch, but not quite a shill either. He’s been pretty active. Here’s an example from yesterday: “I can’t see Russia from my back yard, but I can see @jaypeakresort. (Look beyond the third panty from the left.)pic.twitter.com/HSDUsBeq.” That one comes with an attached picture of what appears to be Millman’s wife’s underwear hanging on a clothesline. And if that doesn’t get people to visit a state, I don’t know what will.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.