TIE THE KNOT TAKES ILLINOIS

The first week of 2013 at Zapwater proved to be one for the books.  Back in November our client The Tie Bar (www.thetiebar.com) partnered with Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and his fiancé Justin Mikita on a line of signature bow ties with proceeds to benefit marriage equality and LGBT rights.

The TV star and gay rights advocate made a trip to both Chicago and Springfield this week, as Illinois is considering whether to become the 10th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Ferguson and Mikita worked with the state's lieutenant governor, Sheila Simon, to establish January 3rd as Bow Tie Lobby Day, with gay marriage supporters donning ties in support of the cause.  A press conference was held downtown in addition to a trip out to The Tie Bar’s office in Naperville.  The pair even introduced a limited-edition formal bowtie from their Tie the Knot collection that will be sold to benefit the ongoing effort.  The days’ events resulted in garnering the front page of the Chicago Tribune, numerous broadcast appearances including Windy City Live and ABC7, the Hollywood Reporter, OUT Magazine, The Advocate, Chicago Magazine and the Los Angeles Times to name a few.

While roadblocks to the passing of gay marriage continue to emerge it’s a truly special feeling to know our state is getting so close to making history.  I wrote in a previous post how honored I was to be both associated with The Tie Bar and this project.  This week could not have been a larger testament to this.  Whether sitting with Jesse in the ABC green room or watching The Tie Bar CEO Greg Shugar re-declare his passion for the cause gave me a feeling of true awe.  Without the daily drive of gay activists and help from our straight allies would we find ourselves making this progress.  It gives me hope that one day my boyfriend of three years may become my husband.

While we always strive to deliver the best for our clients, it was a truly unique moment to play a hand in shaping our future.  If this week was any indication of where the year will lead, Zapwater is in for both an exciting and wildly successful year ahead.

 Michael Corrigan, Senior Publicist