Since I live in Wisconsin, it’s always nice to see news about your state. Wisconsin rolled out a new logo and slogan on March 16, 2009 for marketing Wisconsin and it’s causing a buzz mainly because of the slogan used.

Live like you mean it™

I personally really do not understand the slogan, nor like it for a "state". It also has potential Trademark issues as 4 (5, but one has "live it like you mean it") other entites use the same slogan. I see the biggest issue with the Real Estate Service trademark that was filed in 2006 and the TM is still live.

According to Gov. Jim Doyle, the logo and slogan were created to "promote tourism and Wisconsin as a business destination". What did Wisconsin tax payers pay for this new logo/slogan? $50,000!

"This is another tool we’ll use to keep loyal visitors coming back, communicate why a business should relocate or expand here, and let talented employees know why they should choose Wisconsin," Doyle said.

So if the Wisconsin Department of Tourism wants to promote Tourism, invite businesses to set up shop and for people to relocate to Wisconsin… maybe they should of considered a better Domain Name in there annual $10 Million budget as well!

What is the domain name they use? It’s not in the logo (mistake), so not that many people will see it, but the domain is TravelWisconsin.com . What happened to the part of business start-ups and why people should move to Wisconsin… and go all "Travel" on everybody…?

Using the domain name "Travel" and Wisconsin was Silly! TravelWisconsin.com speaks one thing and that is Tourism. It doesn’t say, come start your business in Wisconsin. It doesn’t say, come raise your family in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin.com is much more welcoming and Really Speaks Volumes! Even Wisconsin.org would be a much better fit IMO! I can not confirm if the state attempted to purchase either, but it’s not likely. The state of Wisconsin has owned TravelWisconsin.com since 1999.

According to Whois.sc and the whois domain name database, Mark Buehl, a resident of Wisconsin owns Wisconsin.com. Wisconsin.org is parked. I even like VisitWisconsin.com better then the term Travel. VisitWisconsin.com is also owned by a Wisconsin resident.

With a $10 Million Annual marketing budget, I think the State Of Wisconsin could work out a deal to become the owner of Wisconsin.com or Wisconsin.org and see the benefit in doing so! It’s 2009, Billions of people use the web. .com is the "common" TLD used, followed with .org ! Wisconsin is Wisconsin and the domain should match exactly as well.

It’s like the Packers® not owning Packers.com