Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department Launches New 'Imagine That' Campaign
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department announced Monday that it has launched a new “Imagine That” tourism marketing campaign.
“Imagine That,” the state’s official branding tagline, illustrates Oklahoma’s lifestyle-rich opportunities that inspire visitors to dream big. This is the first television campaign showcasing the new state branding, and it marks the first time since 2015 that OTRD has released a campaign of this scale with new filming.
“I’m proud of the hard work that went into this campaign to showcase the unique experiences Oklahoma has to offer,” said Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, who also serves as Secretary of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage. “Imagine That’ paints a vivid picture of our culture, economy, and resources through inspiring visuals, powerful stories, and a resounding message: Oklahoma is a great place to live, visit, work and play. I’m excited to see how this helps the state grow, and how it will shape our future for the better.”
Featuring different themes throughout the state, a six-video commercial series shows people bringing to life their imaginative dreams. The videos will air on social media, streaming platforms and in designated cable markets.
“This campaign captures Oklahoma in its truest form: a larger-than-life state,” said Shelley Zumwalt, OTRD Executive Director. “Oklahoma is home to incredible state parks, world-class museums, top-notch restaurants and much more. Our unique personality and charm makes the state a leading tourist destination, and I know this campaign will draw in visitors who are looking to find that independent spirit and ethos that only The State of Oklahoma can provide.”
The advertising campaign features the Irving Berlin song, “Blue Skies,” which embodies the optimistic spirit “Imagine That” represents. With help from the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, the department launched an open call for Oklahoma-based musicians for the commercials. OTRD chose five local artists who each recorded their own take on Berlin’s 1926 classic song.
The videos are titled: The Dandiest Doodler, A Boy Gets His Wings, Queen for a Day, Grape Minds, A Happier Birthday and Birds of a Feather.
Featuring music by Jason Young of Yukon, the Dandiest Doodler video features a pair of coworkers embarking on a rugged adventure in Northwest Oklahoma, from motorcycle cruising along Route 66 to riding ATVs at Little Sahara State Park.
In A Boy Gets His Wings, Oklahoma City violinist and vocalist Kyle Dillingham's music complements the story of a family seeking out family-friendly entertainment in the Southwest corner of the state, from Weatherford's Stafford Air and Space Museum to Lone Wolf's Quartz Mountain State Park.
A young child’s dreams of becoming royalty comes true in Queen for a Day, featuring vocals from Woodward’s Bobbi Holiday and composition by Muskogee’s Aaron Newberry, as they take an adventure of their regal dreams by visiting enchanting Northeast Oklahoma spots like The Castle of Muskogee and Tahlequah’s Rollie Pollie Ice Cream Shop.
Grape Minds, composed by Newberry and with vocals by Lyric Peterson of Tahlequah, combines a girls’ weekend with a father-son adventure at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant and Robbers Cave State Park in Wilburton.
With vocals by McAlester-born Trey Rose and music by Newberry, A Happier Birthday follows a group of friends across the state, from Mix-Tape at Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City to Greenwood Historical District in Tulsa.
A granddaughter and her grandparents sightsee statewide in Birds of a Feather, where they visit spots that include the Oklahoma City Zoo and Birdhouse Cottages in Medicine Park. Music composition by Newberry.
To watch the videos online, visit TravelOK.com/Imagine-That.
Those eager to plan their Oklahoma adventures can reference two new travel guides released by OTRD in January. Copies of the 2023 Oklahoma Travel Guide and 2023 Oklahoma State Parks & Outdoor Guide are available online at TravelOK.com/Brochures.
Full list of locations filmed:
Northwest
Enid Skatepark – Enid
Enid Brewing Company & Eatery – Enid
Gloss Mountain State Park – Fairview
Little Sahara State Park – Waynoka
National Route 66 Museum Sign – Elk City
Bumblebee statue – Stillwater
Salt Plains State Park – Jet
Under Her Wing was the Universe – Enid
Northeast
Elote Restaurant – Tulsa
Gathering Place – Tulsa
Greenwood Rising – Tulsa
Roaming the Osage tours at Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve – Pawhuska
Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee – Muskogee
Rollie Pollie Ice Cream Shop – Tahlequah
Sequoyah State Park Nature Center – Hulbert
Southeast
Beavers Bend Mining Company – Broken Bow
Choctaw Casino and Resort – Durant
Choctaw Cultural Center – Calera
Hochatime – Hochatown
Magnolia Mile Art Alley – Durant
Robbers Cave State Park – Wilburton
Southwest / South Central
Birdhouse Cottages – Medicine Park
Lucille’s Roadhouse – Weatherford
Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center – Medicine Park
Museum of the Great Plains – Lawton
Quartz Mountain State Park – Lone Wolf
Stafford Air & Space Museum – Weatherford
Turner Falls Park – Davis
Central
Jones Assembly – Oklahoma City
Mix-Tape at Factory Obscura – Oklahoma City
First Americans Museum – Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum – Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City Zoo – Oklahoma City
"Imagine That” video “Birds of a Feather” includes shots of a granddaughter enjoying a day with her grandparents at The Gathering Place in Tulsa. Photo provided by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.
"Imagine That” video “A Boy Gets His Wings” includes shots of a family trip to the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Woodward. Photo provided by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.
"Imagine That” video “A Happier Birthday” includes shots of a group of friends having fun at Mix- Tape at Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City. Photo provided by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department.
Media Contact:
Rylie Mansuetti, Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department
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