What Happens Here, Stays Here Explained

What Happens Here, Stays Here (also referred to as What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas) is a slogan and advertising campaign for the city of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Background

The original slogan was created in 2003 by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and advertising agency R&R Partners. The idea was to brand Las Vegas as more than a gambling destination,[1] promoting adult freedom and empowerment.[2]

In 2020, the campaign was updated and launched as "What Happens Here, Only Happens Here."[3]

In popular culture

When the "What Happens Here, Stays Here" ads debuted in February 2003, they became an almost instant "cultural phenomenon" according to Advertising Age.[4] The phrase was referenced by numerous pop culture mainstays, including Saturday Night Live, Meet the Press, Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune,[5] the Academy Awards, and others.[4] Two years after the campaign debuted, then-First Lady, Laura Bush, used the tagline in a discussion with Jay Leno on The Tonight Show.[5] A survey in USA Today called the campaign the "most effective" of 2003.[4]

The slogan became the name of the 2008 American comedy What Happens in Vegas. It also inspired a song of the same name by Usher, as well as the film series The Hangover.[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Shankman . Samantha . A brief history of 'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' . 8 August 2018 . The Week . 1 October 2013.
  2. News: Belotta . Richard N. . 'Only Vegas Moments': Las Vegas tourism group launches new TV ads . 28 August 2018 . Las Vegas Review Journal . 22 May 2018.
  3. News: Komenda . Ed . WATCH: Las Vegas' new slogan 'What happens here, only happens here' has landed . 3 May 2023 . Reno Gazette Journal . 26 January 2020.
  4. News: Friess. Steve. A firm hits jackpot on Las Vegas ads. Boston.com. 28 March 2004. 16 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20050130051451/http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/03/28/a_firm_hits_jackpot_on_las_vegas_ads/. 2005-01-30.
  5. News: Katsilometes. John. A look back at the advertising magic of "What Happens Here, Stays Here". Las Vegas Weekly. 29 September 2011. 15 August 2015.