Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Exception to the Rule

You don't see it as much today as we all did a number of years ago. Governor's starring in their State's Tourism ads was never a great idea. And, whether it was vanity or an unabashed attempt at publicly funded face time on the run up to an election (assuming the spots ran in-state), the results were predictably unimpressive.

Nobody chooses a state for a getaway because of its governor.

Except when that Governor is a bonafide celebrity. And, while not quite on the level of an Arnold, Chris Christie is a personality. With guest spots on SNL and the very funny viral video (which features Jon Bon Jovi, Alec Baldwin and the Ragin Cajun), the New Jersey Governor attracts attention.

I get that Jersey Democrats are wound into knots because he's starring in the new TV spot encouraging visitors to return to a post-Sandy New Jersey. After all, if you can't be pissed off at something every week, you're not doing your job.

But, on this one? It's a great spot that will attract visitors and their much needed money.

So, sit down and shut up.

Shape of a Heart

It wasn't much of a hit...but I played the shit out of it on our deep track-formatted rocker. And, to this day, still think it is one of Jackson Browne's most painfully beautiful love songs.

Pain has always been his muse...and his voice has always plucked that heart string like no other.

I'm doubting that he does a lot of the pain/love thing when he opens for the Jimmy Buffett Tour on a couple dates this summer...but on this Music Friday, it's a sensational live version of "Shape of a Heart."

Adaptation

My neighbors acquired a 6-week old puppy last weekend.

On day one, it basically sat in place, shaking and totally overwhelmed by its new surroundings (it's a big yard).

On day two, it strained against the leash that was so foreign.

By day three, it was following the lead of the older, more experienced canine in the household. On day four, it was chasing it.

Yesterday, it was proudly prancing through the backyard with a chew toy in its mouth. Master of her world.

At one pound and six inches high.

Why is it so easy for dogs to figure out how the world works...and so hard for humans?

Just a thought...

The Name Game

Great article in this month's issue of Convene (which, sadly isn't online yet...so dig through that stack of magazines in your office that you swear you'll get to someday) that explores the movement of Destination Marketing Organizations away from the traditional "Convention & Visitors Bureau" moniker to "Visit," "Explore," Experience," "Choose," "Meet," etc. Hunter Slaton nails the commentary as well as I've ever seen it done. Complete, in-depth, good quotes...and even puts a fork in dot travel (thank you).

A couple quotes stood out for me...and should for you, if you're in the DMO world. VisitPittsburgh's Craig Davis nailed the reason we all started moving down this path. But ATME's Kristen Zern hits it on the head when she calls the move "counter-intuitive." Indeed, the new names better communicate what we do to the masses...but, have we inadvertently made it harder for our traditionally best customers (event planners) to find us by sticking a word in front of the destination name? After all "Experience Arlington" isn't easy to find in an alpha list if one is looking for Arlington.

Craig thinks not...and believes event planners are sophisticated enough to understand the "Visit" thing. Colorado Springs' Amy Long isn't so sure...and they've gone back to being known as the CVB.

Like I said...great article (and definitely worth your read). And, methinks there might be a middle ground out there. As Choose Chicago's Warren Wilkinson suggests, a lot of us are now working as DBAs because it's easier than all the legal hoops of a true name change.

Maybe it's business cards (and listings) that say "CVB" for those clients for whom those letters connote an experienced DMO, "Sports Commission" for those DMO staff that work the competition market...and the myriad of other verbs for local constituents and the masses.

What think you?

My Original Question Still Stands

Back in March, the FAA announced it would be shuttering 149 air traffic control towers across the land as part of the "required" cuts brought on by "The Sequestration." We were told not to worry; that Americans would remain safe as we criss-crossed the country at 30,000 feet.

Which prompted the following question: If that's true, why were we spending $600 million to operate these superfluous spires in the first place?

With recent emergency legislation in hand, the FAA has now cancelled plans to close the towers. According to Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas, "This victory is thanks to a bipartisan coalition of senators and congressmen and women who came together to demonstrate that there are more responsible ways to cut spending than by compromising safety."

But, the FAA guy said closing the towers wouldn't compromise safety. So, who's playing fast and loose with the truth? The FAA or those on Capitol Hill who used the fear of planes falling from the skies to play their tiresome games to stay in the public eye?

Like those towers were ever really going to close...needed or not.

 

The City's Welcome Mat

As I've said before, I used to work with a guy who, whenever talk turned to somebody's stupid move, would shake his head and say, "some people's kids."

I thought of Brien when I saw this article on Omaha.com: "Omaha police are still looking for the man who rolled up the city's welcome mat and walked off with it." Which...is a great opening line to the sad story of the theft of the "Welcome to Omaha" mat that used to greet people on their way into the Bureau's way cool welcome center.

A surveillance camera caught the perp in the act...but police have yet to locate him.

The sad part is, he doesn't look drunk. I could explain this away if the dude was fried. But, this just looks like he thought he was entitled to someone else's property.

Yeah. Some people's kids.

ZZ

It's funny how the popularity of legacy bands ebbs and flows. Name any (including the Stones) and there are peaks and valleys for all.

Like ZZ Top. After four years of toiling in obscurity, they hit the big time in 1973. Rode it for a while and then dropped outta sight. Returned for MTV's big ass years as a band that churned out great songs and even cooler videos. Then, despite drawing crowds through the last 15 years...the band slid back into a period of fans saying "whatev." Maybe it was over exposure on MTV. Maybe it was just that the sound wasn't relevant.

But, all of a sudden...the Top is back. Maybe it's that their over modulated sound is cool again. Maybe it's that today's consumers weren't old enough to get burned out on ther MTV persona.

Whatever it is...welcome back, boys.

On this Music Friday, it's the crunchy "Gotsta Get Paid" from ZZ Top.

Smarter Still

I'm a Diet Pepsi guy. Terri is a Diet Coke girl. When we travel together to tourism conferences or on assignments with DMO clients around North America, we often check the vending machine as we step off the hotel elevator to see which of us needs to find a place to score their preferred soda, as most hotels have thrown in with one or the other.

So imagine Terri's glee when we stepped into the elevator at Santa Monica's new Wyndham at the Pier and saw this placard (click image to enlarge). Pepsi products on the fifth floor. Coke products on the third.

Not unlike yesterday's post (in which an Egyptian hotel has banned alcohol in order to appeal to consumers for which the absence of same is an important consideration), this is a stunningly simple solution to an age-old irritant for lots of guests.

Offer both. Very smart.

Smarter than You Might Think

Wherever Senator Bluto Blutarsky is today, my guess is that his reaction would be much the same as it was upon the shuttering of Delta House. Or, more specifically, what happened as movers dropped a case of alcohol.

Egypt's Les Rois Hotel opened its doors last week to the sound of breaking glass as hundreds of bottles of alcohol were smashed in celebration of becoming the region's first hotel to not serve booze. The owners say they intend to promote "a new kind of tourism."

And, there's more sense to that desire than might meet the eye. Occupancy has been cut in half since the 2011 Revolution. A lot of those guests were westerners who now are skittish about returning. So, if westerners can't be lured back, the logical focus would be to market to Arabs that don't have the same fears. And, what better way than to offer them a hotel experience that is designed for them...and not international guests.

Other design considerations include separate swimming pools for men and women and a women's only floor, complete with female security guards, a restaurant and a dance lounge.

No word on what they plan to do with the hoards of men that will likely be loitering in front of the elevators.

Playing Fast and Loose

On her bio page, KOMU-TV's Brittany Pieper says, "I love my job as a journalist because I get to meet so many interesting people and then introduce you to them every night on the news." Yeah...that and attempt to fan the flames of discontent.

How else to describe her recent story on the Columbia CVB's new ad campaign that is entitled "Tax Money Used for New Columbia Slogan." She describes how much the re-branding effort cost, how much the spots cost...even asks a few people what they thought of the new tagline.

One response (from a person that isn't identified as anyone that might have an informed point of view) was pretty hilarious, though: "That is expensive. I think that probably a lot of us on photo shop could have come up with that slogan." Really? A lot of us "on photo shop?"

At what point does Brittany come clean and inform her viewers/readers that it's not general fund money being used...but Room Tax revenue? You know the answer to that.

Last line.

Bad form, Brit. Bad form.

The Stylish Skies

There was a time when flight crews and attendants were the epitome of style. Then, there was that period where the glamour faded with deregulation and the airlines losing sight of the fact that they were in the customer service business.

Slowly, through entrepreneurs like Richard Branson, style (and fun) is slowly creeping back on board.

Last week, two international carriers rolled out their new crew uniforms. Quantas smoked it with a runway video featuring the newest creation from designer Martin Grant. China's Spring Air took an, errr, slightly different tack. Their new uniforms (if the indignant furor dies down) will be saucy maid and butler outfits.

When accused of objectifying women, Spring Air promptly pointed its finger at their own employees, essentially saying it was their idea.

Too funny.

The Voice

In the '80s, there were a number of male voices that dominated the airwaves. Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, Steve Perry...and the list goes on.

There was one, however, that dominated on multiple artistic platforms. Mike + the Mechanics, Squeeze and his own sensational solo work. Not to mention his work in Ace in the '70s and a series of stints with Roger Waters, Elton John and Eric Clapton.

On this Music Friday, we present the amazing Paul Carrack with my favorite of his solo works, "Don't Shed a Tear."

"A locked door on a candy store is what you are."

A Swing...and a Miss

Picture yourself at an upscale resort. It's 2:10 in the afternoon, you're just in from the pool...and the Sunday brunch has just ended.

But the buffet is still loaded with food...most of which will probably end up being tossed because it's been out since 10:30 and it's not on ice.

You're not in the mood for a full-out brunch...just a nibble to get you to dinner. And that pasta salad, a couple cubes from the cheese plate and a flatbread or two would be perfect.

No..."we're closed." But, there's food there. Here's $10...let me just get some salad to go.

"We're closed."

I don't blame the maitre d'. I blame management for not empowering him to see an opportunity to make the resort a quick $20 on two people for food that was on its way to the dump.

Oh, yeah...and the chance to turn the whole experience into a positive.

We're 18...and We Thank You

To paraphrase Alice Cooper, Zeitgeist turns 18 today.

And, what an amazing trip it's been...filled with exhilerating moments, one-of-a-kind experiences and truly special friends (several of whom we partied with last night at the closing reception of the simply sensational Simpleview Summit).

Thanks to all who have made this journey so cool. And, it's on to the next adventure (and a celebratory cigar).

Going Negative Comes to Tourism

In politics, when your competitor is the odds on favorite, chances are you'll go negative. Sadly, in the cacaphony of media messages out there, it's the only option available for many campaigns.

Luckily, that type of advertising has generally resided in the sludge of politics. With a few exceptions that were more playful pokes than negative advertising, the tourism industry has stayed above that line, sometimes even backing off of advertising when a competitive destination experiences a disaster for fear of appearing opportunistic.

Not Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis, Arkansas. As a stand alone suburban property, it struggles against the more complete destination offerings of Tunica. Thus, like a doomed political candidate, it has come out swinging with a series of TV ads that urge Memphisians not to "Risk the Roadtrip," some of which play on negative stereotypes of Mississippi.

What do you think? Effective messaging? Or an element of advertising that has no place in tourism marketing?

Common Wisdom = Wasted Resources

It's pretty clear, after the number of focus groups that we have facilitated over the past nine months on consumer video preferences, that the commonly held perceptions of what attracts a visitor to a destination are often dead wrong.

Last week, Ted Nugent blasted the sensationally evocative "Pure Michigan" campaign for not showcasing outdoors activities such as hunting, fishing and trapping, which, he believes, are Michigan's biggest tourist draws.

Sorry, Ted...but researching a broad base of consumers by showing images of hunting and dead stuff? Some of the lowest scores we've ever seen.

Hunting, fishing and trapping are, indeed, a part of Michigan Tourism. But, the Pure Michigan campaign works because it speaks to the masses.

Just like I wouldn't necessarily play "Fred Bear" if I were DJing a wedding dance in New York City.

You know what songs work for which audience. Pure Michigan does too.

Nuff said.

 

Nils Lofgren

He's probably best known as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. But, I discovered him as a solo artist in the early '80s during my turn programming a rock radio station. And, as with our last Music Friday feature, wanted so much to turn our listeners on to this rare talent.

Nils Lofgren has that amazing mix of songwriting lyricism, unique vocals, searing guitar chops and on-stage playfulness that turned me into a fan well before his time with Bruce. His solo albums have been woefully under appreciated. And, my iTunes library features no less than 18 of my faves from his vast discography.

How many virtually unknown artists make up that much of your iTunes library?

It's so hard to pick one...but, I always turn this one up when it shuffles forward. It's "Across the Tracks," a song (and video) that puts it all together. Lyrics, vocals...and his athleticism.

And, yeah...he used to do those flips on stage, in concert.

Hey, Nils? We'd love for you to come back to Madison...or, hell, anywhere close.

Fuzzy Wisdom

There's a bill floating through the Florida Legislature this season that would eliminate some of the restrictions on how Room Tax can be spent. Specifically, the desire by some counties to use the revenues to pay for lifeguards.

These types of bills have come and gone over the years, all soundly thumped by a Legislature that has firmly understood the original intent of the law...to attract vistors. This year, however, the measure is being sponsored by the president of the State Senate.

And, the good Senator Gaetz has resorted to the age old tactic of attempting to suggest that the cost of services enjoyed by visitors should not be borne by residents. That despite the fact that the residents enjoy millions of dollars of tax savings thanks to these very same visitors that pick up the tab for countless government services through their spending.

According to a story in the Orlando Sentinel: "Forcing counties to cover those costs with property taxes or some other revenue source drains money that can be spent directly on local needs, such as police, parks and sidewalks." In keeping with this logic, the sales, room and property taxes generated by tourism should be reinvested in the tourism industry. But, Gaetz is counting on the media not to make that connection.

There's a deeper disconnect here, however, as such a position also presupposes that everyone in Florida can swim...and it is only tourists that require lifeguards.

Nice try, though.

A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

In many communities across the United States, local business and government leaders are becoming more sophisticated about the benefits of community marketing and visitor development. They may not know what Destination Marketing Organizations do exactly...but, at least there seems to be a growing appeciation that there is a benefit there.

But, not knowing what DMOs do can lead to some fairly backward decisions by policymakers. Take the unfortunate case of Oak Ridge TN. The Mayor has just released a budget that slashes his community's DMO budget by 25%, saying that the CVB should “concentrate on community events,” where sponsorship dollars from local businesses can make up the difference.

That's where failure to understand what DMOs do leads to pain for a destination. DMOs are not designed to put on "community events." The ROI that the City likely expects from its DMO will not be maximized through the development of "community events." As a rule, most "community events" are failures at drawing large numbers of visitors (and their dollars) to a destination. Unless enhanced Quality of Life is a primary marker for success, this doesn't get the City where it needs or wants to be.

I know it's an exhausting and never-ending challenge to keep telling our story. But, it's days like these that remind us that we must.

 

It's Worth a Try

According to Chris Elliott, "the government wants to know what you think of the machines." As in the full body scanners being used in airports across the country.

But, that's not exactly true. The government doesn't care what you think. They are under orders from the U.S. Court of Appeals to act like they care and take comment from the American people. So, the TSA posted the availability of the comment opportunity on its blog...but failed to provide the link (it's here).

Despite my fear that this is a colossal waste of time, it's probably worthy of a few minutes from all of us. Despite the government's attitude toward public opinion (background checks for guns, Obamacare, knives on planes, etc.), developing a serious body of on-the-record comment will, at least, leave a trail of discontent for future generations to consider.