Rick Snyder Launches Online Contest For Supporters To Choose Next Campaign Commercial

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Ann Arbor, MI — Today, Rick Snyder’s gubernatorial campaign launched a contest allowing supporters to choose the campaign’s next television advertisement which will air statewide for more than a week. Supporters can log on to www.rickformichigan.com/pick-ricks-ad to watch and vote for either “Superman” or “Grindstone.” The contest begins immediately and will continue until Monday, February 22nd at noon.

The innovative contest allows people to earn points by signing up, asking others to sign up, and contributing to the campaign. Rick Snyder wants citizens to have a role in his campaign strategy, just as he wants them to have a role in shaping priorities for state government. People can participate and monitor the results at www.rickformichigan.com/pick-ricks-ad.

The two 30-second spots continue the theme started by the campaign’s first television ad, “One Tough Nerd” and highlight Rick’s job creation and entrepreneurial experience. Both “Superman” and “Grindstone” highlight other successful nerds such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett and even Clark Kent. They highlight accomplishments that have been made by nerds and show Michigan voters that it is time for someone who gets results to lead this state.

Rick proudly refers to himself as a nerd because solving the state’s problems is more important to him than the trappings of political office. Tough nerds are known for taking on challenges and overcoming them and that’s exactly what Rick intends to do as Governor.

To view the ads or link to them, please visit the campaign website or Rick for Michigan YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/rickformi

For broadcast, please download the two commercial in Quick Time format at the following link: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/821670350/532e20da23d5363aaf9a49d739a0fd24

“Superman” Ad Script

Rick Snyder: Nerds get results. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett. Shoot… Clark Kent saved thousands of lives. Michigan can’t be fixed, it needs a total reinvention. New innovative companies, great new jobs for families, all based on a solid business plan. It’s what I’ve done all my life. Gateway and so many startups. All work no play? Maybe… but this nerd gets results

“Grindstone” Ad Script

Voice: Nerds stop at nothing till they get the task done. Nerds are nose to the grindstone. They’d roll up their sleeves, but don’t own a long-sleeved shirt. But… Nerds outthink, out focus, out accomplish. Michigan ranks 50 th out of 50. Politicians got us there.

Rick Snyder: Only a nerd with an entrepreneurial, job creating background knows how to reinvent Michigan.

Voice: Rick Snyder, One Tough Nerd.

Background On Rick Snyder

A proud, native Michigander, Rick is running for Governor because he believes it’s time for a leader with a strong entrepreneurial background to bring a fresh approach and take this state in a new direction.

Rick was born and raised in a 900 square foot home in Battle Creek, Michigan by his father, Dale, owner of a window cleaning business, and his mother, Helen. He studied at the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor’s degree with high distinction in 1977, an MBA with distinction in 1979, and a JD in 1982—all by the age of 23. From 1982 to 1984, Rick served as an adjunct assistant professor of tax and accounting at the University of Michigan.

After graduation, Rick joined the tax department of Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, in Detroit, as a CPA and became a Partner within five years. In 1987, Rick married Sue Kerr of Dearborn, Michigan. Today, Rick and Sue reside in Ann Arbor with their 3.5 kids: Jeff, 20; Melissa, 17; Kelsey, 12; and Duggan, their 7-year-old dog.

From 1991 to 1997, Rick served as Executive Vice President—and then President and COO—of Gateway, Inc. During his tenure at Gateway, the company grew from a privately-held $600 million company with less than 1,000 employees, to a publicly-traded Fortune 500 company with revenues in excess of $6 billion and over 10,000 employees in the United States.

In 1997, Rick left Gateway and returned home to Michigan so that he could utilize his experience to reinvigorate the Michigan economy and raise his family here. He invested back into his home state by founding Avalon Investments, Inc., a venture-capital firm focused on new technology. Over three years, Avalon invested in 24 companies in Michigan and around the United States.

After a successful capital raise of $103 million, Rick co-founded Ardesta in 2000, becoming Chairman and CEO of one of the nation’s largest investment firms focused on micro and nanotechnology. Ardesta has eight companies spread across Michigan and the United States developing small technology products in fields ranging from life-science to clean tech. and communications.

In order to give back to his community, Rick served as founding Chairman of Ann Arbor SPARK, the economic development organization for the Ann Arbor region. In addition, Rick is currently active on the board of directors or advisory boards of several privately held companies and community and educational organizations, including The Henry Ford, The Nature Conservancy–Michigan Chapter, the New Economy Initiative, the Bank of Ann Arbor, and The University of Michigan. Previous boards included the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (Chair), and the Sphinx Organization. Rick is also a member of the Michigan Bar Association.

For more information about Rick Snyder, please visit www.rickformichigan.com.