One of the joys of my tenure as the tourism director for the state of Michigan (2001-2014) was working with the team at McCann Detroit to create, launch, expand and nurture the Pure Michigan campaign. Mark Canavan has been the creative soul of the campaign since its launch in 2006.
With each new Pure Michigan challenge or opportunity, Mark's insights and steady hand kept the brand true and on course. As the client, it was always a comfort to me knowing that Mark and his McCann Detroit colleagues would help us expand the reach of the message while protecting the brand's integrity and authenticity. For Mark and for all of us, Michigan was not just another product or service to be promoted or advertised, it was our home and a state that we love and want to see prosper.
And finally, for me, working with Mark as a person was simply a pleasure. I never give a speech or presentation about Pure Michigan without praising the work and team at McCann Detroit. Our collaboration on this campaign was the best agency experience of my life. Mark Canavan deserves much of the credit for the extraordinary nature of that relationship. I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work with him.
George Zimmermann
Chairman
Longwoods International USA