Ann Arbor, MI --Today, Rick Snyder's gubernatorial campaign released its first television advertisement, entitled "One Tough Nerd." The ad first aired statewide during the Super Bowl. It will continue to run across the state of Michigan for a period of time.

The 60-second spot highlights Rick Snyder's roots growing up in Battle Creek, Michigan and entrepreneurial experience creating jobs in Michigan. To read about his background and long list of accomplishments in the private sector, please visit the campaign newly redesigned campaign website at www.rickformichigan.com.

The commercial also features Rick's detailed 10-point plan and vision to reinvent Michigan which can also be found at the campaign's website. 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 getting results and that's exactly what Rick intends to do as Governor.

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

Ad Facts For The "One Tough Nerd" Super Bowl Ad

Voice: Michigan has tried career politicians. We've tried happy talk. And, we're 50th out of 50. Dead last.

• Fact: Michigan's current unemployment rating in December was 14.6%, placing it 50th out of 50 states. ("Michigan Economy at a Glance," Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed 02/06/2010)

Rick: It's time for a nerd.

Voice: Growing up in Battle Creek, Rick Snyder started reading Fortune Magazine...when he was eight.

• Fact: Rick Snyder was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on August 19, 1958 and grew up with his parents in a 900 square foot home on North 22nd Street. His father, Dale, owned a local window cleaning company. Rick attended Lakeview High School, and as a kid spent summers working at a local general store, while fishing and waterskiing on Gun Lake. (Judy McGovern, "What makes Rick tick?," Ann Arbor News, 6/28/09)

Voice: By 23, he'd completed college at the University of Michigan, and his MBA, and his law degree.

• Fact: Rick Snyder enrolled in the University of Michigan early and obtained his Bachelor's degree with high distinction in 1977, his MBA with distinction in 1979 and a JD in 1982. (Kristen Zaki, "Ann Arbor businessman and University alum Rick Snyder announces candidacy for Michigan governor in 2010", Michigan Daily, 07/21/09)

Voice: Rick Snyder is a very bright entrepreneur who happens to adore Michigan.

• Fact: Rick Snyder returned from Gateway to Michigan in order to "pump up Michigan's national image as a spot for technological innovation" and founded his first venture capital firms Avalon Investments, Inc. in 1998, raising $100 million to invest. (Matt Roush, "Bringing it back home: Snyder wants to put $100M in Michigan", Crains Detroit Business, 05/04/1998)
   
• Fact: Rick Snyder co-founded a second venture capital firm, Ardesta L.L.C., in 2000 and raised over $100 million for investment in nanotechnology and microtechnology. (Jeffrey Kosseff, "Ardesta's mission to make huge market for microsystems", Crains Detroit Business, 04/26/01)
   
• Fact: Rick Snyder co-founded the successful Ann Arbor based online wellness company, HealthMedia, Inc. with a University of Michigan professor and it is generating millions in revenue. (Sarah Rigg, "Two deals prop up Michigan's venture capital industry in midst of financial crisis", Ann Arbor Business Review, 11/06/08)
   
• Fact: Rick Snyder wrote the business plan for and co-founded Ann Arbor SPARK, a public-private economic development program that focuses on entrepreneurship and startups for the Washtenaw County region, in 2005 after more than two years of collaboration and strategic planning. He served as its chairman from 2005 until May of 2009 and remains on its executive committee. (Stephanie Murray, "Rick Snyder steps down from Ann Arbor SPARK board, group releases 2008 report", Ann Arbor Business Review, 5/22/09) (Ryan Beene, "Entrepreneurs are finding a spark in Ann Arbor", Crains Detroit Business, 09/13/09)

Rick: But we can't just "fix" it, we have to reinvent Michigan!

Voice: As president, he grew Gateway Computers.

• Fact: Rick joined the leadership team at privately held Gateway, Inc. as the 763rd employee to take over most of the day-to-day management as Executive Vice-President in 1991. At the end of that year, there were approximately 1,100 employees. (Joshua Hyatt, "Betting the Farm, Profile of Gateway 2000, the #1 Inc. 500," Inc. Magazine, 12/01)
   
• Fact: In 1996, Rick was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer, because according to Gateway founder, Ted Waitt "his leadership has become one of our greatest assets and as president, he will be in a position to utilize his talents to direct the continued growth and operational efficiencies of the organization." (Gateway 2000, Inc., "Gateway 2000 names Rick Snyder President/COO," Press Release, 1/29/1996)
   
• Fact: Rick left his day-to-day management role as President and COO at Gateway in 1997 to return to Michigan to start his venture capital firm with a focus on economic development in Michigan. That year, Gateway reported that it had grown to 13,300 employees, with 10,600 in the U.S. (Gateway annual 10-K report, SEC filing, 1997)
   
• Fact: When Rick left management of Gateway in 1997, it had risen to the rank of 284 on the list of the Fortune 500. (Fortune 500 Database, CNNMoney.com, accessed 02/06/10)

Voice: He's nurtured innovative companies to grand success and has grown thousands of jobs in Michigan and across America.

• Fact: Gateway grew over 9,000 jobs across America while Rick Snyder was managing the company. (see above)
   
• Fact: Rick Snyder's two venture capital firms, Ardesta and Avalon, have invested in innovative startups, creating over 400 jobs in Michigan and over 1,200 nationwide. (Howard Lovy, "Rick Snyder Can Carry A Tune", Ann Arbor Chronicle, 07/16/10)
   
• Fact: Ann Arbor SPARK reported that between 2006 and 2008 it had created 7,054 new jobs and 5,740 jobs were retained. (Stephanie Murray, "Rick Snyder steps down from Ann Arbor SPARK board, group releases 2008 report", Ann Arbor Business Review, 5/22/09) (2008 Annual Report, Ann Arbor SPARK)
   
• Fact: Ann Arbor SPARK reported that in 2008 it 33 companies announced expansions in 2009 with plans to hire 2,118 workers. (Nathan Bomey, "Ann Arbor SPARK Helped Secure 2,118 New Jobs For Region, Officials Say", Ann Arbor Business Review, 02/05/10)

Voice: His ten-point plan to reinvent Michigan is so detailed that; well, it's likely no politician could even understand it.

• Fact: Rick's ten-point plan to reinvent Michigan and the detailed policy white-papers can be found at www.rickformichigan.com.

Rick: But, it's the way to finally save our state.

Voice: Rick Snyder for Michigan. He's One Tough Nerd.

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