US

Is Wisconsin Stealing the Michigan ‘Mitten’ in New Ad Campaign?

Michiganders are getting territorial over their state’s borders. No really, they‘re currently lashing out at border rival Wisconsin over the shape used in that state’s new tourism ad.

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism launched a new campaign Dec. 1 to promote its winter tourism season. The image it choose to promote the campaign: a mitten. Some Michiganders are offended over this campaign infringing on their state’s trademark mitten shape, and very common way to quickly give a visual representation of the state.

The Kalamazoo Gazette reported some of the following comments from Michiganders over the issue:

aartmark: The next time any Michigan team plays any Wisconsin team in any sport the Michigan fans should throw their old crusty mittens onto the playing field.
The truth is that the state of Wisconsin looks like the state of Wisconsin and nothing else.
You don’t see Indiana using a mitten to represent their state.
WE alone are the BIG MITTEN and we have the responsibility to protect that.
Everyone knows that this is where Atlas placed his hand to hold up the Earth.

sonofadutch quipped: That mitt won’t fit, they better quit.

[...]

John Steeno’s Facebook comment: THIS IS SO TRUE! I’ve been living in Wisconsin for 4 years and when I hold up my hand to show them where I lived in Michigan, they all look at me like I’m crazy. “Wisconsin is like a hand” they say. That’s when I punch them with my Michigans.

Todd Norwood said: Looks like a mitten I left too close to the fire while drying it out, eh! I do like living in Wisconsin and it’s a beautiful place (minus the current political scene) but we certainly aren’t the mitten State! Though, I suppose I’m biased with my MI roots…

Here‘s a post that appeared on Travel Wisconsin’s Facebook profile:

Wisconsin Launches Winter Tourism Campaign Sparking Mitten Envy

But the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s Communication Director Lisa Marshall said no slight or infringement was intended:

“The mitten was used as a single creative element, you guys still own the mitten,” she said. “We’d much rather our travelers consider us the “fun” state.”

Wisconsin Launches Winter Tourism Campaign Sparking Mitten Envy

Screenshot of the Travel Wisconsin webpage promoting winter tourism.

Here is Travel Wisconsin’s recent Facebook post:

Wisconsin Launches Winter Tourism Campaign Sparking Mitten Envy

Michigan’s own manager of public and industry relations said the two tourism agencies are on friendly terms but that didn‘t stop him from throwing a little dig toward Wisconsin’s campaign, the Gazette reports:

“We understand their mitten envy,” he said with a chuckle, “but there is only one mitten state, only one Great Lakes state, there’s only one “Winter Wonderland state — only one, and it is Michigan. Pure Michigan.”

It may be important to note that Wisconsin’s winter mitten campaign follows a similarly-themed fall campaign, which featured a colorful leaf shaped like the state. The Huffington Post also points out that an article from the late 1960s in the Chicago Tribune actually referred to Wisconsin as the “mitten-shaped state” and notes that the Michigan Historical Society couldn’t identify when the mitten nickname was first used.

Editors note: Want to hear what Blaze staffers originally from Michigan and Wisconsin think about this issue? Check out Liz Klimas and Jon Seidl’s blog posts here and here. 

Comments (40)

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  • Badger Patriot
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 10:44am

    Lets see, Important stories to cover:

    Fast and Furious- nothing there move along

    Corzine steals 1.2 Billion- nothing there move along

    Iran has possion of our Top secret drone- move along

    Middle east is burning- nothing there move on

    Europe ready to colapse- move along

    We have a commie in the white house who is just waiting for the right time to bring the top down and complete the transformation of our once great country- Absolutly nothing there

    Wisconsin tourism add has hurt the feelings of some people in Michigan—–BIG STORY better cover that!

    Report Post » Badger Patriot  
  • holy ghostbuster
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 6:33am

    The Packers did pummel the Lions.

    Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
  • burx1990
    Posted on December 8, 2011 at 2:06am

    always trying to steal something from us, stole the big ten championship and now this

    Report Post » burx1990  
    • lukerw
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 4:29am

      I’m in Michigan… and it looks like… Free Advertising… to me :)

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • bubbamoosecat
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 11:44pm

    I live in the world’s biggest thumb. GO BLUE!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Southernsoul
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:46pm

    You know, if either state had a summer that lasted more than 3 minutes they wouldn’t need worry about mittens. Just mentioning that as I finish my beer and get ready to leave the beach bar down the street from my house. Hardly feels like winter with it being in the mid 70′s here today.

    Report Post » Southernsoul  
  • Boomer52
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:41pm

    REMEMBER: Michigan IS Amercia’s High Five!!

    Report Post »  
  • David, the Constitutional Libertarian
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:16pm

    You know why Michigan and Minnesota guys do not like Wisconsin guys dating their girls? Ever see a gopher or wolverine hole after a badger has been in it?

    Report Post » David, the Constitutional Libertarian  
  • walex2
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:04pm

    Ok, let’s get it straight, all of you people who have never lived in or been to Michigan. It looks like a GIANT MITTEN. Wisconsin, looks nothing like a mitten. It’s the one state that cannot be mistaken for another. We like our Mitten shape and we use it to show where we live…. What doof in WI thought they would get this one by without comment? Now, having had my say, my husband and laughed really hard when we read this. Too funny. Our son, from the time he was 4, would hold up his hand and say, “I‘m goin’ to the Mitten…” (when we lived in CA) He loves the Mitten.

    Report Post »  
  • plastinoid
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:15pm

    The real pure Michigan is north of Claire, Michigan………south of there it’s mostly Liberals, corrupt Unions, polluted cities filled with Muslims and welfare cases, who are not much good for anything.

    Report Post » plastinoid  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:50pm

      I’ve lived in Michigan all my life…and, Yep, you pretty much got that right.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:51pm

      EXCEPT for Traverse City which has become the haven of retiring Liberals and Activists-such as Michael Moore.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
    • country_hick
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 3:44am

      Don’t lump us Thumb dwellers in with the lower palm please! We are more forgotten than even the State of Superior as there are only 3, maybe 4 (if you count 15), paved roads into it.

      Report Post »  
  • vrooomvrooom
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 7:54pm

    The U.P. … I mean, Da U P is da rabbit!
    The L P is the mitten.

    Report Post »  
  • dudeman4
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:08pm

    How does the top part of Michigan feel about not being in the mitten in the mitten state?

    Report Post »  
    • Boss Hogg
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 7:24pm

      The upper part of michigan is an umbella. Who would want to live in a state that looks like a mitten holding an umbella. Must have something to do with thier weather.

      Report Post »  
  • dudeman4
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 6:07pm

    But they’re both left handed gloves! You could get away with it if one was the left and one was the right,

    Report Post »  
  • hauschild
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:25pm

    Two pretty much insignificant states. Remember when one was an intellectual powerhouse and the other an economic powerhouse? Shows how quickly progressives can work their magic.

    Report Post »  
    • country_hick
      Posted on December 8, 2011 at 3:52am

      As bad as Michigan is I will take it over those havens of freedom and liberty like California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois… At least I can plant a tree, keep chickens, or do other things on my property without having to ask permission from someone (yet). Of course living in what the Chicago Jesus calls bitter, clinger, land has something to do with that.

      Report Post »  
  • kmaneke
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 4:14pm

    I am a Michigander (Michiganian) and I do say this is Ridiculous what Wisconsin is doing. There are called “Cheese Heads” for a reason I suppose.
    (On a Side note, Michigan has been called a “Swing State”)

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:47pm

    well, having vacationed in both states, they BOTH need their mittens in Winter. ( Wisconsin seems to be a lot more fun tho with its fairs and festivals. )

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • Mike777
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:46pm

    Michigan fought a war with Ohio don‘t u badgers think we won’t with u all ? STOP THE MADNESS OCCUPY Wisconsin.

    Report Post » Mike777  
  • islandmarine
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:35pm

    Friend from the UP told they refer to those in lower michigan as trolls cause they live below the bridge.
    other than that I dont care.. too cold I’ll stay in SC

    Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:35pm

    Yeah, but hold that mitten upside-down, now what is it shaped like?

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:09pm

    Two “left” hands…No wonder why either is a “right” state.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • ignatzk
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:02pm

    “Michigan is a hand raised in a friendly gesture of peace. Wisconsin is a closed fist.”

    That sounds about right. The scrawny, whiney closed fist of an SEIU librarian.

    Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:54pm

      Wisconsin’s mitten looks battered, worn and run over…. ergo.

      Report Post »  
  • GhostOfJefferson
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:59pm

    I hear that Bat Boy is joining the Marine Corps. Maybe the Blaze can cover that next? :)

    Report Post » GhostOfJefferson  
  • G.E.R
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:57pm

    The only reason a mitten is used to give a visual representation of the state. Is because the people of that state are too freakin stupid to use a map

    Report Post »  
    • sta
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 3:10pm

      OMG, I live in MI and I laughed so hard at your remark.

      Report Post »  
    • KAdams
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 5:55pm

      Grammar, what?

      Report Post »  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on December 7, 2011 at 8:25pm

      STA – is just jealous, when someone asks you where YOU live, you can’t just hold up your hand and point. lol

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • cemerius
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:56pm

    Considering I am thinking Michigan should be the muslim shaped state!! Detroit is DEAD and they have to fight over mittens? ha ha ha Michigan is the state of my fore bearers but I am the first Southerner and many after me here in the South! Better weather and they can keep their snow and failed cities!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • CatB
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:49pm

    LOL .. born, raised and escaped from Michigan … if people look on a map and go to the “mitten” they will end up in Michigan … not Wisconsin .. then they can go to Ludington and take the Badger (lake ferry) over if they still want to go to Wisconsin. ;-)

    Report Post »  
  • Lloyd Drako
    Posted on December 7, 2011 at 2:46pm

    Michigan is a hand raised in a friendly gesture of peace. Wisconsin is a closed fist.

    Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
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