How Connecticut is Defining Its Brand—with CMO Anthony Anthony | Hey Stamford!

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 #### The Hey Stamford! Podcast is proudly sponsored by:  Serafresca at the IC: Plan your holiday celebration at Serafresca at the IC—where elegant ambiance and exceptional service make every party unforgettable. Book now at https://serafrescaic.com/ Hey Stamford! The Store: Your go-to for local goods, gifts, accessories, and more. Stop by in person at Stamford Town Center (4th Floor) or shop anytime online at https://shop.heystamford.com/   Subscribe to The Friday Newsletter for the best of Stamford lifestyle, events, and local buzz—delivered straight to your inbox: https://www.heystamford.com/ Follow Us on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heystamford TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@HeysTamford  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeyStamford Threads: https://www.threads.com/@heystamford X: https://x.com/HeyStamford ###### 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