Washington state invites you to ‘SayWA’ It seems like we’re catching up on all state-slogan news this morning. This time we’re off to Washington state, which has selected “SayWA” as its new tourism slogan. We thought New Jersey’s “Come see for yourself” was an ambivalent line, but this one is even weirder. “SayWA” sounds like the essence of confusion. A story in the Puget Sound Business Journal gets right to the point: “State’s new tourism slogan has some experts saying, ‘Huh?’” Evidently, Foote Cone & Belding in Seattle had a hand in the campaign, which spawned this great quote from the president of the state lodging association: “FCB is one of the best agencies not only in Washington but nationally. I’m going to assume that the ad agency knows what it’s doing.” There’s your first mistake. At one point, the line “Endless discoveries” was bandied about. Says one disillusioned observer: “I want to know what happened between ‘Endless discoveries’ and getting to ‘SayWA.’” —Posted by Tim Nudd

March 13, 2006 | Permalink

Comments

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That's funny. 'Say WA.' At least they have a sense of humor.

Posted by: Dario | Mar 13, 2006 2:34:20 PM

45 years ago, when the Space Needle was new, WA had lines like "Let's Tell The World About Washington!"

And now it's SayWA?

I'll say this for it - it makes you remember "WA." By comparison, I guess the "Endless Discoveries" line could've worked for any state.

Posted by: Gov. Rosellini | Mar 13, 2006 2:59:56 PM

I agree with Dario - at least they have a sense of humor. I still haven't seen anything as bad at Atlanta's "Every Day is Opening Day."

Posted by: saraH | Mar 13, 2006 4:34:31 PM

This is a weird choice considering most people travelling through can't pronounce half the city names in the state... Puyallup, Yakima, Wenatchee, Chewelah, Cle Elum, and Hoquiam to name a few.

It is better than the semi-official motto "Alki" (pronounced Al-Ki) meaning bye and bye, or rather "into the future" in old-timey speak.

Posted by: David Stone | Mar 14, 2006 3:31:10 AM

It goes back to Robert Whiting's book about Japanese baseball: You gotta have Wa.

This is clearly an attempt to lure more tourists from Japan.

Posted by: Joe in Philly | Mar 14, 2006 10:01:28 AM

Spent a few years there.

Posted by: Fred Maroone | Mar 14, 2006 10:31:45 AM

They should get Barbara Walters to sing the theme song: "Que SayWa, SayWa, whatever will be will be. This state is for all to see, Que SayWa SayWa."

Posted by: Doris Day | Mar 14, 2006 3:15:56 PM

It's kind of weird - but memorable.

Posted by: cantgetitoutofmyhead | Mar 14, 2006 3:51:41 PM

How can you not smile?

Posted by: lulu | Mar 14, 2006 7:44:19 PM

Hey folks, remember there is more to a brand thank just a slogan. SayWA was never meant to be the end all. The concept of endless discoveries and independent spirit are all there in the execution. Check out more: www.experiencewa.com/brand

Posted by: John | Mar 17, 2006 2:39:30 PM

Please send me tourist and points of interest info. We plan to visit the Puget Sound area this year. Thank You, Tisha Clark

Posted by: Tisha | Mar 22, 2006 3:21:25 PM

SayWa is cool and hip. In get it.

Posted by: Lisa | Mar 25, 2006 1:19:07 PM

look. controversy. already. i'd say FCB did know what they were doing.

Posted by: | Apr 8, 2006 1:50:59 AM

It's bad... but as far as being contextually terrible, I've got to give it to Baltimore.

"Get In On It!"

On what, precisely? Slums? Crack? Transsexual prostitution?

Posted by: The Colonel | Dec 12, 2006 11:26:47 AM

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