Tourism Marketer Uses April Fool’s Day for A Fun Campaign
Apr 2, 2021
WINONA, Minn., April 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tourism marketing took a bizarre twist on April Fool's Day when Visit Winona, the organization responsible for marketing Winona, Minnesota, unveiled a "Minnesota Gators" campaign touting the possibility to swim with American Alligators in Winona. Using an email blast and social media as a launchpad, the organization announced that a new company called Minnesota Gators had come to town and were offering gator experiences including everything from hand feeding to swimming with the creatures.
Swimming with gators is just one of the activities on the Visit Winona spoof site MNgators.com
Clicks went to the spoof website www.mngators.com, where the fictitious company lauded its safety record of 62 percent and made hilarious claims about the experience like, "They love to bask in the sun next to you on the beach, and your kids will love running from the mothers defending their eggs," and "Kids never forget the first time they lose a finger."
Photoshopped images of people hugging and swimming with alligators, fake reviews, and an absurd FAQ section along with real merchandise you can order round out the completely farcical site that will leave few believing this is actually a thing. Those who click through will be brought to a page on the Visit Winona website that pokes fun at the campaign and extols the reasons why people should check out Winona even if they can't, or especially because they can't, swim with alligators there.
The promotion is the brainchild of Visit Winona marketer Cynthya Porter and Shane Morris of the Bee Morris Agency in Houston. The pair dreamed up the promotion, built the site, and created the images in the span of about 36 hours to land it on April Fool's Day. "Tourism marketing can suffer from this terrible sameness," Porter said. "Everyone has great scenery, interesting restaurants, fun festivals, and so on. There is a lot of clutter to cut through to get peoples' attention. People more and more are looking for something different, not just in a destination but in the way you reach out to them. We at Visit Winona believe that if you can give people a laugh, they are far more likely to think of your destination as a place they can come and let their hair down. Sure, it's a risk to do something so tongue and cheek and we have heard some criticism of past campaigns like our "Miami of Minnesota" theme from people who think it's too irreverent. But the positive feedback has dwarfed the negative by 20 to 1, so I think it's working for us in establishing an identity in the marketplace and driving interest to check us out. Winona has the goods. It's just a matter of getting their attention."
Media contact:
Cynthya Porter
507-313-9937
More News
WATCH: Escudero urges prosecution, defense to stay focused, respectful
MANILA, Philippines – Presiding Office Francis Escudero reminds the prosecution and defense teams on Day 33 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to focus on presenting their respective cases based on evidence, justice and fairness, while maintaining respect for one another as the impeachment trial continues. “Our duty is not to conquer one another
Ombudsman seeks law enforcement powers at Senate
MANILA, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman proposed to the Senate on Monday the formation of an in-house enforcement service to lessen its dependence on other law enforcement agencies in carrying out its mandate. Assistant Ombudsman PMGen. Eliseo DC Cruz and Assistant Ombudsman Atty. Luis Gonzaga Bonoan Jr. presented to the Senate panel on
PNP defends handling of Malacañang protest
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday defended its handling of a protest near Malacañang, saying its officers followed established protocols amid reports of a physical confrontation with teachers and students a day before World Teachers’ Day. “While reports have surfaced regarding the incident, we likewise recognize the presumption of regularity in
6 soldiers wounded in Basilan ambush
PAGADIAN CITY – Six Army soldiers were wounded after unidentified armed men ambushed a two-vehicle military convoy in Tipo-Tipo, Basilan, on Monday morning. Initial reports disclosed that soldiers from the 45th Infantry Battalion were en route to the headquarters of the 1101st Infantry “Gagandilan” Brigade in Barangay Tabiawan, Isabela City, when they were fired upon
Army brokers ceasefire between warring clans in Cotabato City
COTABATO CITY — Two warring clans in this city have agreed to a ceasefire following renewed hostilities that triggered exchanges of gunfire and forced residents to flee, the Army said. Brig. Gen. Ricky Bunayog, commander of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID), brought together Barangay Kalanganan Mother chair Bimbo Ayunan Pasawiran and Ustadz Abusaima Hussain, commander
![[Rappler’s Best] Houston, we’ve had a problem here](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2026/10/2026-10-05T011904Z_1166801409_RC2OWNANSS4K_RTRMADP_3_BRAZIL-ELECTION.jpg?resize=75%2C75&crop_strategy=attention)
[Rappler’s Best] Houston, we’ve had a problem here
It’s not as if Sonny Trillanes was pulling things from thin air. And it’s not as if anyone could derail him from his single resolve — rightly or wrongly — to expose and bring down the Dutertes.
NMC flags destructive fishing as 'serious threat' to PH food, livelihood security
The National Maritime Council (NMC) raised concern over reported destructive fishing in the country, saying it threatens not only the enforcement of fishing laws but also food and livelihood security.
/file/publisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97/2024/11/a8128fae7be3df6d0458c549bf486f74.jpg)
Govt looking into caning for mule account offence
PARLIAMENT | Deputy minister says review will be carried out comprehensively.
/file/attachments/orphans/test1_716667.png)
Malacca polls: Bersama candidates declare assets via SDs, voters can 'invite' them home
Rafizi says his party plans to break away from feudal political culture.
LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte
Bookmark this page for Rappler's comprehensive coverage of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial at the Senate
All provinces could experience dry condition, drought by end of March 2027 - DOST
All provinces in the country are expected to experience dry condition or drought by the end of March 2027 due to El Niño, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said Monday.
Foul odor prompts shoreline inspection in Mamburao
CALAPAN CITY — Municipal officials inspected a portion of the shoreline in Barangay Talabaan Proper in the Occidental Mindoro town of Mamburao on Sunday, Oct. 4, after residents reported a foul smell that had persisted for nearly two weeks. Residents said the odor became noticeable after weeks of rain brought by the southwest monsoon. During
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.