RI chief marketing officer resigns, “Cooler and Warmer” no longer state slogan
After a week plagued with one controversy after another, Governor Gina Raimondo axing the Cooler Warmer Slogan she proudly rolled out just five days ago.
"It’s unacceptable how many mistakes were made in this roll-out and we need to hold people accountable,” said Raimondo.
It’s quite the about face, the Governor was upbeat when we spoke with her on Monday.
"Cooler and warmer means our city’s are cool and hip and in the summer it’s warm and our beaches are great,” said the Governor on Monday.
She continued to stick to her guns on Wednesday despite more than a few mishaps including the now infamous Iceland skateboarder in the tourism video.. and a factually inaccurate website.
"Look people make mistakes, I make mistakes, the important thing is own up the mistake, fix the mistake, make it better and move on,” said the Governor on Wednesday.
By Friday, Raimondo announced that she’s accepting the resignation of Betsy Wall… the Chief Marketing Officer of the Commerce Corp.
“It became clear to both of us that that was the right thing to do,” said Raimondo.
Rep. Doreen Costa was one of the first people calling for Wall’s resignation. Friday night she tells us she’s pleased.
"Unfortunately she had to go, but I’m glad she did because this was a mess, this wasn’t rolled out property, this wasn’t vetted properly,” said Costa.
People we caught up with in Kennedy Plaza happy to hear the slogan is no more.
"It is a good thing that they’re getting rid of it oh my god it’s so terrible,” said Jillian Gambaradella.
"It’s probably one of the worst slogans I think that I’ve ever heard,” said Ron Benoit.
The Governor says while the state is dropping the Cooler Warmer slogan she is planning to keep the logo.
Next week Raimondo will be announcing a new social media campaign to allow everyone to make the logo their own.
The state will be getting back $120,000 for the video and from the PR firm behind the tourism push.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
