Ann Arbor, MI -- Today, the Rick Snyder for Michigan campaign announced the release of a new television ad entitled "Job Creator." The spot is part of a seven figure, statewide television campaign that began airing last week with the ad "Jobs" and will continue through the primary. “Job Creator” will begin airing in the Grand Rapids television market today and expand statewide tomorrow.

The ad references Rick Snyder's private sector experience creating jobs and delivering results. The ad also highlights Rick's detailed plans for creating jobs such as his plans to eliminate the MBT, enact regulatory reform and revamp the MEDC.

"Rick's commercials continue to focus on his extensive background as a job creator. Throughout his career, Rick has provided strong leadership that has helped build small businesses, grow a large company and deliver economic development while providing more and better jobs for families," said communications director Jake Suski. "Jobs define this election and voters are looking for the candidate best suited to lead Michigan on a path to recovery. Unlike the politicians in the race, Rick Snyder is sending a clear message to voters that he is the only candidate qualified to take on Michigan's economic challenges."

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

"Job Creator" is available online in broadcast form and on the campaign YouTube page.

"Job Creator" ad script:

Voiceover: To get back to work, Michigan needs Rick Snyder

Graphics: One tough nerd.

Rick Snyder: I earned the nickname working hard running successful businesses. I am the only candidate with a track record of creating jobs.

Graphics: Rick has created thousands of jobs.

Rick Snyder: My detailed plan to Reinvent Michigan will create jobs for you and our kids.

Graphics: Eliminate Michigan Business Tax, cut taxes on job creators $1.5 billion, slash needless regulations, help small business

Rick Snyder: We need jobs and a governor who has created them before. 

Graphics: That's only Rick Snyder

Rick Snyder: I'm Rick Snyder, I'll get the job done.

Ad Facts on Rick's Record Creating Jobs

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: 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'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: 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)

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)