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Million-dollar "I♥NY" Industry Extends To Bottled Water
By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 15, 2011
Modified Sep 15, 2011
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By
Garth Johnston
Published Sep 15, 2011
Modified Sep 15, 2011
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Milton Glaser and Bobby Zarem's famous "I♥NY" logo isn't just a graphic design icon, it is a New York State cash cow, too. The logo, which was originally meant for a brief 1977 campaign and is now going strong in its fourth decade, made the state $1.83 million in fees in fiscal year 2011—up from $1.5 million in fiscal year 2010. And the Empire State Development Corp. has big, Spaceballs-style plans for the logo. Coming soon? I♥NY, the spring water.
An interesting development for the logo, which the ESDC started licensing in 1994, is its popularity outside of the city. Apparently I♥NY is, like so many things, huge in Japan. "That is our second-largest market," Samira Ali of CMG Worldwide, the state's licensing agent, told the Daily News. Other big international markets for the logo include England and Italy.
The oft-imitated logo already appears on everything from t-shirts to perfume bottles, and new products are constantly being thought up. According to the Daily News I♥NY spring water is coming soon...because apparently bottled New York City tap water just wasn't enough? No word on when to expect I♥NY-branded toilet paper though...
Tagged
i heart ny
i love new york
i love ny
I♥NY
milton glaser
Garth Johnston
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