Mattel Pays Alaska to Change Capital to 'UNO'

The city got a $15,000 donation out of the deal
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 1, 2016 4:45 PM CDT
Mattel Pays Alaska to Change Capital to 'UNO'
Oliver Coleman passes underneath a sign welcoming people to UNO, Alaska, during his walk to work on Friday in Juneau, Alaska.   (AP Photo/Rashah McChesney)

On April Fool's Day, the capital of Alaska was going by the name of card game UNO, not Juneau. No joke. It was a play on words and part of a promotion with game and toy maker Mattel, which is drawing attention to new wild cards in its UNO game by partnering with the mountainous city, the AP reports. Juneau's website on Friday said "Welcome to UNO!" and featured a new logo. The city's Facebook page also promoted the change.

Mattel was making a $15,000 donation to the Juneau Community Foundation in honor of late mayor Greg Fisk, who died last year shortly after taking office, company spokesperson Candice Jacobson said. The money will support youth programs, said city manager Kim Kiefer, who made clear that the name swap would be for one day only. Mattel also was providing hundreds of decks of cards for local residents. Kiefer said the promotion is a way to draw attention to Juneau, a tourist destination known for the Mendenhall Glacier, whale watching and its outdoor lifestyle. She called it a fun spoof. "I just think it's a win for everybody," Kiefer said. "And I think it's important for us to sit back and laugh once in a while." (More Juneau stories.)

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