Connecticut's Chief Marketer Will Leave String of Successes When He Departs State Government

Anthony M. Anthony, Connecticut’s first Chief Marketing Officer, will certainly be remembered for an unprecedented impact on shaping perceptions and bringing people and dollars to the state in previously unreachable numbers.

It has been reported in recent days that Anthony, after just about two years in the role, will be stepping away from Connecticut government to embark on a consulting career.  He won’t need much of an introduction – his work will surely precede him wherever he goes.

“Connecticut’s approach,” said Governor Lamont, “became a national case study in place branding and economic storytelling.”  Let us count some of the ways.

Highway signage as people drove into Connecticut announced the state as the “Home of the Basketball Capital of the World” – until it was replaced by Connecticut, the self-proclaimed "Pizza Capital of the United States."  That effort included billboards in New York City, which turned some heads (and gathered much media attention), as well as in New Jersey, Detroit and Chicago. 

There also was development of the Christmas Movie Trail, saluting the numerous locations in the state featured in movies aired on Hallmark (mostly) as well as other movie networks with large followings.  And the Make It Here rebranding campaign for the state’s tourism efforts, which highlighted manufacturing, and a whole lot more. 

In a news release, Governor Lamont, who assigned Anthony to the new role after his service in the Governor’s office, said this:

“Early in our administration, I said what I believed then and now – no more bad mouthing Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “I wanted our state to stop apologizing for who we are and start celebrating it. From his first day in my office in 2021, Anthony took that message to heart and turned it into a strategy that people feel every day — through creativity, vision, and pride. He helped show the world the Connecticut we know – innovative, fun, open for business, and yes, home of the Pizza Capital of the United States. I appreciate his service and the positive impact he’s made on our state.”

And now, back to that impact.  What has Anthony done for Connecticut lately. 

1.       Driving Perception Change:  As of December 2024, an increase of 175% in people who view Connecticut as a Place to Visit, 107% increase in those who view the state as a Place to Work, and 144% increase in the number who view Connecticut as a Place to Live.

2.      Current Connecticut residents have rediscovered pride in their state.  As of the end of last year, more than 60% (for the first time in more than a decade) say they have State Pride.  That’s a 24.5% increase in just two years. 

3.      The number of impressions in the media, has jumped well beyond both expectations and historical numbers.  In 2025, there have been 28 billion media impressions.

4.      State dollars have been well spent:  For every $1 spent on destination promotion, the return has been $85 in average visitor spending, and $8 in tax revenue earned. 

“Anthony has a rare talent – he takes complex topics — innovation, industry growth, workforce, quality of life — and turns them into stories people want to hear,” Daniel O’Keefe, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, said. “He does it visually, emotionally, and authentically. He brought imagination to economic development and helped make our strategy something people could understand, celebrate, and share. His work strengthened how we market Connecticut across business, tourism, talent, and community.”

And last year, the state had 68 million visitors – the most in one year since, well, ever.