Dept. of Tourism: Director David Zucker and actor Robert Hays team up after 32 years for Wisconsin TV ad

CONTACTS:
Danielle Johnson, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
608-266-0458; djohnson@TravelWisconsin.com

Lisa Marshall, Wisconsin Department of Tourism
608-267-3773; lmarshall@TravelWisconsin.com

Governor Walker makes announcement today at press conference

MADISON, Wis. (June 25, 2012) — Director David Zucker and actor Robert Hays, known for their collaboration on the movie “Airplane!,” are making pop culture history in Wisconsin. The two are teaming up again for the first time in 32 years to shoot the Department of Tourism’s summer 2013 TV commercial. Gov. Scott Walker and Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett made the announcement and welcomed Zucker and Hays at a press conference in Milwaukee today.

“It is a privilege for the state of Wisconsin to reunite David and Robert to lend their comedic touch to our tourism marketing campaign,” said Gov. Walker. “David and Robert’s involvement with ‘Airplane!’ was a classic moment in Hollywood history and we’re thrilled to be the ones to bring them back together after all these years and make a little history in Wisconsin.”

The filming of the TV spot is taking place this week in the Eagle River area. The spot features Hays and a cast of supporting players in comedic hijinks on a Wisconsin lake.

“It’s been 32 years since I worked with Bob in ‘Airplane!,’” said Zucker. “And I’m pretty sure when this commercial shoot is over it will be another 32 years before we do this again.”

Hays, who famously played Ted Striker, an ex-fighter pilot with a fear of flying, in “Airplane!” said, “When David called and asked me to join him for a commercial promoting Wisconsin tourism, I said, surely you must be kidding. Of course he responded, ‘I am serious, now let’s go see a gladiator movie.’”

This is the second Wisconsin tourism ad that Zucker, a Wisconsin native, has directed. In December 2011, he directed the Department’s winter TV spot at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater. It featured the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performing a concert and breaking into a comedic snowball fight. The winter ad was Zucker’s first project in Wisconsin in 40 years and was positively received.

“David made a symphony orchestra look undignified in our winter TV spot, just imagine what he’s going to do when we let him loose on one of our Northwood’s lakes,” said Secretary Klett. “We’re keeping the storyline of the ad under wraps until next spring’s Governor’s Tourism Conference but it will definitely be keeping with Wisconsin’s brand of fun and David’s trademark slapstick.”

Milwaukee-based Laughlin Constable is the marketing agency of record for the Department of Tourism.

The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the state as the Midwest’s premier travel destination by executing industry-leading marketing programs and establishing strategic partnerships. The Department plays a significant role in generating greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler information can be found at www.travelwisconsin.com.