A camera crew for Travel Michigan was on Mackinac Island Wednesday, May 24, filming footage for a series of commercials that will feature Michigan. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) launched the largest business marketing initiative in Michigan's history to Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce Mackinac Policy Conference participants on Mackinac Island Thursday, June 1. The national advertising and marketing initiative will share stories of successful company leaders who have chosen to expand their businesses in Michigan as a way to encourage other businesses to choose Michigan for the site of their future job creation.

Michigan actor and entrepreneur Jeff Daniels, along with wellknown news media personalities, including CNBC's Maria Bartiromo and CBS's Charles Osgood, will introduce the success stories around the country.

The initiative will highlight Michigan's key business-attraction, including its competitive business environment, its worldrenowned universities, its highly skilled workforce, its status as the world's research and design hub, and its new, $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund.

MEDC President James Epolito said the 21st Century Jobs Fund also gives the state a competitive advantage in attracting new hightechnology researchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses.

Mr. Epolito noted that while a majority of the MEDC's advertising would be on a national and international level, the initiative would take root and begin in Michigan.

Governor Jennifer Granholm said it's important for Michigan to know about its own success stories so everyone in the state can share them.

"We all have to be on the same page about promoting what our state has to offer," she said. "We all have to be ambassadors for Michigan's growth."

The integrated marketing initiative includes television, radio, print, events, direct mail, Internet advertising, and non-traditional communication efforts designed to reach so-called "C-Level" executives (chief executive officers, chief operating officers, and chief financial officers) who make decisions about where to locate or expand their businesses.

Radio advertising began June 1 and, later this summer, MEDC television commercials will be heard nationally on CBS Radio's Charles Osgood program, ABC Radio's Sean Hannity program, and on Premier Network's Maria Bartiromo program. Television commercials debuted in Michigan June 5. Print advertising will also appear later this summer in publications like Forbes, Crain's Detroit Business, Fortune, and Site Selection magazine.

Actor Jeff Daniels said he was proud to be able to help in the effort.

"I chose Michigan to raise my family and run my business in," he said. "The state's business and political leadership understand the imperative to help position Michigan's workforce and educational system to lead this shift to a global economy. It's a great story and I'm proud to help tell it."

Mr. Epolito cited the successful cooperative efforts of legislators of both parties in funding the MEDC's efforts to market the state.

"Working together," he said, "the legislature's support enabled MEDC to create the kind of initiative that will bring international awareness of Michigan's unique business resources and opportunities."