To the editor:

Your reporter, and your paper, made an error Wednesday. An inadvertent mistake placed a news release, dated for distribution today, in the hands of reporter Scott Rothschild. The news release was part of a statewide press event that will occur today, simultaneously, at seven locations across the state. Though requested to hold the story until the news conference, your paper demonstrated its integrity by making the decision to publish a piece that contained only part of the story about the new brand image of Kansas.

Hundreds of hours of research and data collection, as well as creative talent from across the state and national venues, were combined to create a durable brand image for the state of Kansas. This image was developed through a statewide task force, from information and responses by people who live, work, own businesses and play in Kansas. Your attempt to reduce the results of these efforts to a simple slogan is most unfortunate.

“KANSAS. As big as you think” is much more than just another slogan; it is who we are, what we do and what we think. It’s an attitude that is part of us. It is an attempt to position Kansas in the minds of the businessperson, entrepreneur, traveler and each one of us. It is drawn from our state’s heritage of open range cattle, where brands were instituted to differentiate one herd from another. The same holds true for this image campaign — over time it will differentiate our state from others, including our competitors.

I only hope your paper is as eager to print the full details of the ongoing brand image campaign that will be unveiled today.

Dick Carter Jr.,

executive director, Travel Industry Association of Kansas,

Topeka