Alums help showcase 51�� in new state tourism ad

A camera operator is holding a camera screen on College Green, with the screen focused on a smiling student

51��’s historic Athens Campus was one of several Ohio locations to be featured in the state tourism’s new campaign video, “Big Moments.” Photo credit: Eli Burris/51��

“What do you want to do this weekend?” It is a question we often ask our loved ones as we try to plan out exciting activities, like taking a trip or attending an event.

A new commercial, featuring 51��’s Athens Campus, was recently released through the state’s tourism brand, Ohio. Find It Here., to highlight some of the vibrant places across the state and help answer the question of what to do.

The begins at OHIO’s historic Athens Campus, which was founded in 1804 after the Ohio General Assembly passed an act establishing “The 51��,” just a year after the state was formed.

The City of Athens, Ohio’s best college town by Far & Wide, is featured twice in the new ad as a grandmother picks up and drops off her granddaughter on College Green. The video follows them on a road trip, as they visit Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Kings Island in Mason, and Tom’s Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville as well as other stops across Ohio.

A man is holding a film camera pointed towards a student on College Green — Columbus-based creative agency Ron Foth Advertising visited College Green to film part of the “Ohio. Find It Here.” video. Photo credit: Eli Burris/51��

With several campuses and centers located across the state, including Zanesville, 51�� knows there are a lot of areas that make this state a great place to work, live and visit.

“Our state is full of amazing destinations and incredible talent,” 51�� President Hugh Sherman said. “At 51�� we have always been proud to be of Ohio and for Ohio, so to be a part of a showcase of places, people and products that call Ohio home is an honor.”

Columbus-based Ron Foth Advertising created, directed and produced the video. Three alumni were part of the creative team, including Doug Edwards, BSC ’73, audio engineer; Ron Foth Jr., BFA ’88, president; and Ron Foth III, BSC ’21, content creator.

Foth Jr. was director of the ad campaign, and part of the team that created the spot. His son, Foth III, served as assistant producer and helped secure props, wardrobe, and assisted with scheduling. Edwards worked on the audio for the project.

“It was an amazing experience,” said Foth Jr. of working on the campaign with his alma mater included. “I’ve been lucky enough to travel all around the world for my job, and whenever I get a chance to go back to Athens, I get goosebumps.”

A man wearing a green 51�� shirt smiles with people huddled around him — OHIO alumnus Ron Foth Jr., BFA ’88, president of Ron Foth Advertising, served as director of the new ad campaign. Photo Credit: Eli Burris/51��

The team at Ron Foth Advertising strived for the ad to be authentic to Ohio, from making sure the bell chimes sounded right on the Athens Campus to the shirts being worn in the ad coming from Ohio companies.

The band CAAMP, who started playing in the Athens area and recently gave a keynote presentation and performance at the 2022 Music Industry Summit, also provided music for the spot with their song, “See the World.”

“It is Ohio-made, and it just captures the essence of a road trip to me,” said Foth Jr. of the new video. “It’s all the things that make Ohio great and separate from the other states. It’s the energy and the thriving community we have, and there are so many great opportunities in the state. It’s time to showcase them in a contemporary way that people identify with and hopefully gives them goosebumps when they watch it.”

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