PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN 6) — If you Google, “Why is Oregon so –” the first thing that autofills is “good.”
That, said economy expert John Tapogna, is priceless. His ECONorthwest firm tracks things like the Google autofill.
“It’s not necessarily because people are Googling about the state of Oregon and wondering why it’s so good,” Tapogna said. “People are getting on the Internet and Googling and trying to figure out how the Oregon football program became as good as they did.”
He said the enhanced reputation helps keep the state of the top of lists.
United Van Lines just declared Oregon the top moving destination in the country, with move-in versus move-out statistics to prove it.
Oregon also attracts more out-of-state tuition payers. It re-engages alumni and their money at the university level.
But winning is the best at raising the state’s profile in the eyes of the country.
“They’ll learn more about the rest of what we do well here, too, which is Intel, Nike and Columbia Sportswear.”
The intangibles go well beyond what’s actually bought and sold. The Ducks hauled in the Heisman Trophy, embarrassed previously unbeaten Florida State in the Rose Bowl and now are part of the first-ever College Football Championship.
“It’s part of this whole validation process that I think has led us from where we were 20 years ago to where we are today,” said Paul Swangard, the managing director for the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center.
“If people are basking in the reflective glory of the success of the Oregon football program, whether they’re instate being proud Oregonians or out of state being intrigued by what oregon’s all about, there’s money to be made there,” he said.