They love us, the really love us. The state’s long-running tourism slogan, “Virginia is for Lovers,“ has been elected by popular online vote to the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame in New York City. “This goes to show that love does conquer all,“ said Alisa Bailey, president and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corp. Virginia Tourism and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will celebrate the award at 12:30 p.m. today on the south steps of the state Capitol.

The Richmond-based consulting firm Play, which works with companies to develop innovation and creativity, is joining a larger organization with a wider global reach. Play announced yesterday that it has been acquired by Prophet, a San Francisco-based strategic consulting firm that has a similar mission. Both firms work with businesses and other clients to hone their strategies in branding, marketing and improving performance.

Better start marketing smarter. In this economy, don’t even think about stopping marketing, warned Tom Blue, a Glen Allen business consultant and author.

Virginia is still for Lovers. Call it marketing Viagra, but 40 years and myriad honeymoons later, the playfully naughty slogan that put the Old Dominion on the map as a tourist destination for a younger generation is being refreshed as part of a new ad campaign.