Connecticut’s first-ever Chief Marketing Officer, Anthony M. Anthony, joins the show to talk about building the Connecticut brand from the ground up. As the state’s top marketer, he’s leading bold initiatives that celebrate local pride—like declaring Connecticut the Pizza Capital of the U.S., launching creative tourism trails, and shining a spotlight on communities like Stamford.

We explore how statewide marketing works, what it takes to define a place as a brand, and how storytelling, food, and culture are helping Connecticut stand out as one of the best places to live, work, and play.

Follow Anthony M. Anthony on LinkedIN, click here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymanthony/ 

Follow Connecticut Office of Tourism on Instagram, click here: Instagram.com/CTVisit 

Keywords: Connecticut podcast, Anthony Anthony, Connecticut tourism, Stamford, Connecticut pizza, Pizza Capital, Basketball Capital, Connecticut marketing, state branding, Connecticut travel, Connecticut pride, CT CMO

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00:00 Introducing Connecticut’s First CMO

01:08 Early Impressions & Changes in Connecticut

03:30 Why a State Needs a CMO

04:24 Team Mentality & State Pride

05:01 How to Measure Marketing Success

08:08 Connecticut’s Growing State Pride

11:51 Culture, Community, and Brand

15:14 Stanford’s Role in Connecticut’s Image

18:21 Celebrating Local Pizza—Connecticut’s Claim

21:44 The Connecticut Pizza Campaign & Buzz

23:33 Basketball Capital & Other Playful Campaigns

26:45 Food, Filming, and Signature Trails

30:29 Shining the Spotlight on Stamford

33:49 Tourism’s Growth & Community Connection

36:01 What’s Next for Connecticut’s Brand

37:21 Connecticut’s Strengths & Final Thoughts

39:25 Where to Learn More About Connecticut