/Treasurer hopes rapping mascot will boost college savings

Treasurer hopes rapping mascot will boost college savings

A web ad featuring Echo singing about the state’s college savings program in a forest setting was released Monday morning. After the jingle ends, Treasurer Lynn Fitch takes her binoculars off and says, “That’s why I newest hobby’s bird-watching.” Michelle Williams, chief staffer for Fitch, stated that the video was made from the treasurer’s $250,000 marketing budget. Fitch hopes that the Echo mascot costume will attract more students to the state’s college savings programs. It cost $4,508. Fitch stated in a press release that College Savings Mississippi had engaged the assistance of a mascot to help them engage more families, especially young, in saving for their children’s education. Studies show that children are seven times more likely than their parents to be successful in school and to go on to higher education when they have someone saving for them. It is important to ensure Mississippi continues on the right track by encouraging more families to save. The treasurer will be accompanied by the mascot to college fairs and other events where Fitch will present the savings plans. The costume will be worn by staff from the treasurer’s office. Fitch’s staff stated Monday that the mockingbird is the state animal and that the mascot was named Echo as mockingbirds are known to mimic or echo the sounds they hear. The IRS section that refers specifically to college savings plans is represented by the number 529 on the mascot’s jersey. Williams stated that Williams hopes that Williams’ repetitions will reinforce the idea that saving for college can be a smart investment for Mississippi families. Williams said, “It’s worked very well in other states.”