New Virginia for Lovers license plate to hit the streets in 2014

Governor Bob McDonnell has unveiled the new “Virginia is for Lovers” license plate, which will become the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) standard-issue plate beginning in March 2014.

McDonnell showcased the new plate for the first time during his remarks Dec. 4 at the Governor’s Transportation Conference,  in Richmond.

The new plate design will replace the plain blue and white plates which have been the standard for the past couple of decades, a news release said.
       
McDonnell was quoted as saying, “Every time a Virginia-registered car sporting one of these tags travels outside of the state, people around the nation will be reminded that Virginia is a tremendous destination for businesses and tourists.”

        The governor applauded Virginia Tourism Corporation and DMV for their collaboration to make this new plate a reality.

The license plate will also feature the Web site Virginia.org, the Commonwealth’s official travel and tourism Web site, which has been recognized as the best tourism website in the country. More than 80% of travelers use Internet websites to find, plan, and book their travel, according to the news release.

About “Virginia is for Lovers”

The “Virginia is for Lovers” slogan will celebrate its 45th birthday in 2014.  The phrase came from a creative team headed by a Richmond advertising agency, now known as the Martin Agency, which won the Virginia State Travel Service account in 1968. The first ad mentioning the new slogan ran in the March 1969 issue of “Modern Bride.”

By popular vote, “Virginia is for Lovers” was inducted into the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame on September 21, 2009. The slogan was included in the Advertising Icon Museum alongside fellow 2009 inductees, the AOL Running Man, the Budweiser Clydesdales, and State Farm’s “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There.”  This recognition came on the heels of Forbes.com tapping “Virginia is for Lovers” as one of the top ten tourism marketing campaigns of all time.

No one knows exactly why “Virginia is for Lovers” has been so durable, but part of the mystique of the slogan is that it has meant many things to different people. Today, a new generation is discovering love for Virginia’s mountains, beaches, history, theme parks, vibrant cities, outdoor activities, sports and hospitality.