Getting saucy! Connecticut tourism bureau buys billboards in New York City to declare its pizza the best

Yahoo

3 days ago

Things are getting saucy in the Big Apple over pizza.
Connecticut has waged a war against New York for the title of 'Pizza Capital of the United States' – with a series of aggressive billboards around New York City claiming The Nutmeg State's slice reigns supreme.
Billboards from Connecticut's Office of Statewide Marketing and Tourism claiming 'The Nation's Best Pizza – Not you, New York' have recently started popping up across parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. The signs urge New Yorkers to 'tell us why CT pizza's #1' by calling 1-844-CTPIZZA or visiting betterpizzainct.com to give a 'pizza' their mind.
Some of the bold billboards were even positioned above New York City slice shops – including one positioned behind 2 Bros Pizza by Port Authority Bus Terminal, a likely strategic move to ensure commuters catch the message.
Billboards were also stationed in high-traffic areas such as Times Square and Mott Street to egg on the rivalry between neighboring states. While New York is known for its thin crust or Sicilian slice, Connecticut has its own version of the thin crust that is more well-done than the New York version.
Social media posts from Connecticut's tourism department packed more punch – with one reading 'Hey New York Pizza, There's No Shame in 2nd Place,' while others called out other cities and states with their own distinct pizza styles including New Jersey, Chicago and Detroit.
While the signs were largely lighthearted, New Yorkers weren't taking the bait, with some taking to the Internet to call out Connecticut for being cheesy.
'Sounds like someone has an inferiority complex,' one Facebook user wrote underneath a photo of one of the billboards.
'They really do live in their own little bubble,' another added.
One commentator chimed in: 'CT Pizza is garbage.'
A commentator from Connecticut said the state should target lesser rivals, writing, 'I think New Haven pizza is the best, but we shouldn't be fighting with New York and New Jersey. We're all in the pizza belt. We should be fighting with Detroit and Chicago.'
While some Connecticut residents lauded the claim, others were left flabbergasted.
'That is BS!! We are NOT the pizza capital of the world!!' one Facebook user said.
The bold advertising strategy comes less than a year after Connecticut implemented several 'Welcome to Connecticut: Home of the Pizza Capital of the United States' signs throughout the state.
Connecticut tourism officials said they also hope to implement the marketing move in other pizza hubs in hopes to get more visitors coming to the state.