The image of the bucking horse and rider is associated with the state of Wyoming.  In fact it is a registered trademark to the Cowboy State. But for the coming months the state, which is defined by vast plains and the Rocky Mountains will be linked to a dinosaur.  A good dinosaur and his little friend; a human cave boy.

Disney/Pixar is releasing an animated film over the American Thanksgiving weekend called “The Good Dinosaur.”  It is a story about Arlo (prehistoric character) and Spot (prepubescent character) who develop a friendship and set out on an adventure.

They travel through Wyoming’s formidable landscape as seen in the Teton Range.

It was Pixar that suggested a partnership. "They approached us a few months ago, toward the end of summer, mostly due to the fact they had done several scouting trips and based the film on Wyoming locations," stated Chris Mickey, spokesman for the Wyoming Office of Tourism. "They asked us if we wanted to be a destination partner, and we thought it was an absolutely huge opportunity."

Under an agreement between the state Office of Tourism and Pixar, Wyoming will invest US $1.2 million of its advertising budget on a media campaign promoting both the film and the state.

The state will pay Pixar $100,000 to help sponsor the film’s world premiere Nov. 17 in Los Angeles.

In return, Wyoming will be able to promote itself using images from the film in commercials marketing the state to potential visitors.

The commercials will run from mid-November to mid-December in select markets across the country, but probably won't be aired in Wyoming.

Diane Shober, executive director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism, said this provides the state with an opportunity to increase interest in Wyoming.

"The film is visually stunning and the setting is very characteristic of the Wyoming scenery we know and love," she said. "'The Good Dinosaur' is a perfect fit for Wyoming with the mountain backdrops, sweeping landscapes and ties to paleontology and culture of the American West."

Wyoming Office of Tourism has invested in the project, hoping the film will attract more visitors to the state, and The University of Wyoming Geological Museum intends to use the film to educate the public on the state’s geological features.

There is another payoff too. Wyoming's bucking horse and rider logo will be displayed on the red carpet at the movie’s premier.