The Detroit News reports that Michigan state officials have refused “to disclose how much taxpayer dough TV and movie star Tim Allen is getting to lend his voice to the $30 million Pure Michigan ad campaign.”
George Zimmermann, vice president for Travel Michigan, told The News that the state has a deal with Allen that precludes disclosure of his pay. The News then sent several information requests to the Michigan Economic Development Corp., which rejected the most recent one asking for vendor invoices and cost estimates from the McCann Erickson ad agency of Birmingham, which was hired to run the campaign. The state said it has a “confidentiality agreement” that protects the information; the paper is appealing that decision.
Marleah Leslie, Allen’s publicist, declined comment.
Zimmermann did say that Allen, who grew up in suburban Detroit, is paid between $100,000 a year and the $500,000 he said is standard for voice actors of Allen’s ilk.
Forbes [has] called the campaign one of the best all-time travel campaigns.