Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
February 2004

Raleigh Artists' Paintings Grace New Raleigh Tourism Ads
Kay Hutchison's Artwork Helps Define
"City Life. Carolina Style."

Contact: Martin Armes, 919-645-2654

RALEIGH, N.C.– A new series of advertisements promoting Raleigh tourism have launched featuring the work of Raleigh native Kay Hutchison. The ads sell various highlights of a Raleigh visit, including festivals, shopping and strolling City Market. Each features an original Hutchison painting commissioned for the project by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. It's part of an effort to define tourism in Raleigh as offering "City Life. Carolina Style."

"After a lot of customer research, it became clear that people come to Greater Raleigh for the attractions of a city, but they enjoy the fact that they can still easily get around, the people are friendly and the area is clean and green," said Dave Heinl, president and CEO of the GRCVB. "Kay's paintings show what we mean by City Life, Carolina Style, and they do so in a way that is both unique and inviting. We think they stand out very well because they're so different from the tourism ads you see for most cities."

Hutchison was born and raised in Raleigh and her love of art was inspired by her art teacher at Broughton High School, Nancy Carty. In addition to her paintings for Raleigh CVB, Kay specializes in mural design. Currently a senior at the Rhode Island School of Design, Kay has painted murals in North Carolina, Rhode Island and New York.

"It's exciting to help show others all the great things my hometown has to offer, and it's been a new experience to have my work showcased in an advertising campaign. That's a very different medium than I'm used to," Hutchison said.

The ads are part of a new branding campaign developed by Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing of Cary. The campaign includes print ads, television and radio spots, brochures, and a pending website redesign.

The Greater Raleigh CVB is a non-profit agency that promotes Raleigh and Wake County for convention and visitor business to enhance the economic growth and development of the area.

For a free visitors guide or more promotional information, please call (800) 849-8499, check out www.visitraleigh.com or e-mail visit@visitraleigh.com

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