In politics, when your competitor is the odds on favorite, chances are you'll go negative. Sadly, in the cacaphony of media messages out there, it's the only option available for many campaigns.
Luckily, that type of advertising has generally resided in the sludge of politics. With a few exceptions that were more playful pokes than negative advertising, the tourism industry has stayed above that line, sometimes even backing off of advertising when a competitive destination experiences a disaster for fear of appearing opportunistic.
Not Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis, Arkansas. As a stand alone suburban property, it struggles against the more complete destination offerings of Tunica. Thus, like a doomed political candidate, it has come out swinging with a series of TV ads that urge Memphisians not to "Risk the Roadtrip," some of which play on negative stereotypes of Mississippi.
What do you think? Effective messaging? Or an element of advertising that has no place in tourism marketing?
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