Wow.  Sometimes just a hint of human brain power can add a lot to computer automation.  Marketing fail.

OMG...who told them there were no grocery stores Downtown??

 

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700127281/Overachieving-Utah-Utes-gymnasts-ready-for-NCAA-Championships.html

^ and besides the smaller ones downtown, there is a Walmart like only a 10 minute drive away

Constantino's

E12 street inside Reserve Square

New food and beverage in Collegetown

 

Dave's in Ohio City

Dave's in Asiatown

 

I wish locals knew more about their city when out-of-towners ask.... :oops:

^Last time i was at Reserve Sq the grocery store there was closing. Did a new one open up in its place?

 

It's been reorganized.  It's smaller, but actually seems to have as much grocery selection as before.  The layout is more efficient.

There is the new grocery store at 1900 Euclid across from Cleveland Marshall Law School.

One would think the Sports Commission might provide such info to our guests.  Their work is pretty impressive overall, so I'm surprised the grocery thing was missed.

And they list one in Columbus first?  That's the worst list of "Area Restaurants" I have ever seen.  And that came out of CLE+!  :roll:

 

Remember its good to be a sponsor, you get to dictate crazy things like this.  At least I hope it is because they are a sponsor.  Otherwise CLE+ has some 'splanin to do.

The new LiveCLEVELAND! Guide is available for viewing online. 

^ Wow, I'm surprised that none of you had any comments about the neighborhood pages.

Is it a broken link?  Maybe its my company's firewall

The neighborhood profiles for the east side areas are remarkably optimistic . . . overall well produced. I'm impressed. Some sentences sound like they came from the mouth of Frank Jackson himself!

"Cleveland - What's Not to Like?"  (inspired by Nick Gilbert)

Positively Cleveland (or a similar group) should look at these for ideas of how to promote the city:

 

http://www.iamyoungdetroit.com/

 

 

http://www.movedetroit.org/

Check out the latest and greatest grassroots marketing effort for city living ... New to Cleveland. A Guide to (re)Discovering the City: http://www.newtoclevelandbook.com/

 

It's really beautiful and informative and includes info of particular interest to students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light. Something tells me the author knows his way around urbanOhio ;)

Contact the writer through his website at: http://www.marcstoiber.com/

 

Why Rebuilding Cities Need Rebranding

By CSRwire at CSRwire

Wed Nov 30, 2011 12:47am EST

by Marc Stoiber

 

This spring, Alabama was hit by terrifying tornadoes that ripped through centers like Birmingham. Then, the priority was about creating permanent shelter for the victims, but there is an incredible opportunity to do much more.

 

The focus of the conference was rebuilding using sustainable technology, creating better, more future-proof homes. An equally important focus should be on the opportunity to reinvent the region's brand.

 

I would argue that all cities have brands. Some excite their audience (New York), some don't (Cleveland).

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/30/idUS310578174620111130

I agree wholeheartedly with that article.  Cleveland needs rebranding in the worst possible way.  The reality here is far more "exciting" than our national reputation suggests.  And I think the article makes some great points as to what might work and what might not.  Most major cities have waterfronts... ours does not distinguish us.  I'd prefer to never hear "North Coast" again.  All that does is invite unfavorable comparisons to the other coasts. 

 

Given our climate, any focus on outdoor activities offers limited potential.  I mean yeah, the Twin Cities area provides ample opportunity for hunting and ice fishing, which are relatively popular among locals.  But that's not the image they've cultivated for tourists.  Instead they've focused on cosmopolitan urbanity.  I think our best bet lies in that direction, with a pinch of grit added for flavor.  Cleveland could become a mecca for young progressives like Portland or Austin.  It can stake a claim to being cooler and "realer" than either one.   

How about The Fury on Lake Erie? How about the Certain Ethnic Biotech Center? How about.... How about we keep moving forward, keep putting together a string of successes, and this need for branding stuff like cities that often outlive the countries that built them won't matter any more except to those who can't function without labels.

Are you suggesting we shouldn't market ourselves at all?  In that case, just drop the bed tax and call it a day.

Are you suggesting we shouldn't market ourselves at all?  In that case, just drop the bed tax and call it a day.

 

Nope. I'm suggesting that branding a city is silly. You can't contrive a brand name for a city. A city brands itself through many years, if not decades of specific socio-economic accomplishments and failures.

I'm not saying we should call it Borax... but we could probably promote a stronger image somehow.

What has had a more positive effect on visitors to Cleveland, the 'cleveland plus' posters or the DCA crews?

 

Speaking for myself, I have yet to be swayed by any "come visit x" tourism commercial. I am much more influenced by opinions and comments from people who have actually visited "x".

 

The money currently spent producing slick montages of sexy skyline shots would be much better spent making sure every convention, meeting, or whatever has a mind blowing good experience. Let's let people decide Cleveland is a great place to be not because of some 3 minute video or cute map, but because when they were dragged here they found they actually enjoyed themselves.

Check out the latest and greatest grassroots marketing effort for city living ... New to Cleveland. A Guide to (re)Discovering the City: http://www.newtoclevelandbook.com/

 

It's really beautiful and informative and includes info of particular interest to students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light. Something tells me the author knows his way around urbanOhio ;)

 

8ShadesofGrey--Hey congrats on the new book---will check out a full copy as soon as I can. I'll try to make it to the launch party if I can. Looking forward to reading it. I noticed you got it on bn.com---that's excellent!

Regarding marketing, i agree with dropping 'north coast'. it was born out of a shame of being from cleveland--and not saying the word "Cleveland". The more the term "Cleveland" is used the more people hear it and the name recognition spreads. Remember, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo---even Rochester--are on America's "North Coast". Just take the harbor for example. Could you imagine if instead of "New York Harbor" it was called "East Coast Harbor"? Sounds mighty stupid.....that's how we sound...

I'm not opposed to diverting resources away from advertising and into physical improvements.  I agree that DCA is more valuable than a bunch of TV commercials.  But at the moment we actually tax visitors to pay for marketing efforts.  If we're going to do that at all, we need to do it well.  But given that we do in fact have a bad image, I wouldn't say marketing is the worst possible investment.

They ran that DCA Downtown - is it for you? Spot during the browns game and I have to say, all the people around me, many from the burbs, were quite smitten with it

They ran that DCA Downtown - is it for you? Spot during the browns game and I have to say, all the people around me, many from the burbs, were quite smitten with it

 

Which video? Link, please!

Check out the latest and greatest grassroots marketing effort for city living ... New to Cleveland. A Guide to (re)Discovering the City: http://www.newtoclevelandbook.com/

 

It's really beautiful and informative and includes info of particular interest to students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light. Something tells me the author knows his way around urbanOhio ;)

 

8ShadesofGrey--Hey congrats on the new book---will check out a full copy as soon as I can. I'll try to make it to the launch party if I can. Looking forward to reading it. I noticed you got it on bn.com---that's excellent!

 

Just a point of clarification ... I'm not the author of the book, but another forumer is :)

Check out the latest and greatest grassroots marketing effort for city living ... New to Cleveland. A Guide to (re)Discovering the City: http://www.newtoclevelandbook.com/

 

It's really beautiful and informative and includes info of particular interest to students, artists, professionals, retirees and those who want to live car-free or car-light. Something tells me the author knows his way around urbanOhio ;)

 

8ShadesofGrey--Hey congrats on the new book---will check out a full copy as soon as I can. I'll try to make it to the launch party if I can. Looking forward to reading it. I noticed you got it on bn.com---that's excellent!

 

Just a point of clarification ... I'm not the author of the book, but another forumer is :)

 

I thought so, but I believe I saw you in something else recently 8shades...  Maybe in a story about artist/live work spaces or cool offices....?  I think in Fresh Water...

I can't tell if it's my complete over bias for Cleveland, or if it's starting to get more positive vibes and mentions in the press lately:

 

Cleveland Lays Out the Welcome Mat

 

    David Lepeska

    2:27 PM ET

 

Thinking about moving? You should consider Cleveland. That's the pitch of Global Cleveland – and it's a more reasonable appeal than it might have been a few years ago.

 

One of the key nodes of the Rust Belt, along with Detroit, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, the Forest City suffered horribly with the collapse of manufacturing in the latter half of the last century, losing dozens of major businesses and about 60 percent of its population since 1950, according to the 2010 census.

 

But that tale of decline has been reversed in recent years, mainly via deep investments in economic diversification, infrastructure and the arts. Ongoing development projects in the Cleveland area total $7 billion, according to the Greater Cleveland Partnership. Big-ticket projects include a $560 million makeover for University Hospitals Case Medical Center, a $465 million convention center and medical mart and a $350 million casino on Public Square, the city's central plaza.

 

The city's University Circle area is getting spiffed up with the Farshad Moussavi-designed Museum of Contemporary Art and some sleek new apartment buildings. The neighborhood, which includes a clutch of healthcare institutions, colleges and arts groups, has gained thousands of jobs and residents in the past few years.

 

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2011/12/cleveland-lays-out-welcome-mat/675/

Regarding marketing, i agree with dropping 'north coast'. it was born out of a shame of being from cleveland--and not saying the word "Cleveland". The more the term "Cleveland" is used the more people hear it and the name recognition spreads. Remember, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo---even Rochester--are on America's "North Coast". Just take the harbor for example. Could you imagine if instead of "New York Harbor" it was called "East Coast Harbor"? Sounds mighty stupid.....that's how we sound...

 

naah. back in the days it was coined more as a reaction to the constant 'east coast' and 'west coast' monikers, because believe it or not those were terms that were thrown around even more in the 70s than they are today. its no dumber than those terms, which also reflect more than one city, although its true cleveland was the only place that seemed to embrace 'north coast.' anyway, i totally agree that 'cleveland' the city name should be used more clearly and directly in modern marketing efforts today.

Are you suggesting we shouldn't market ourselves at all?  In that case, just drop the bed tax and call it a day.

 

Nope. I'm suggesting that branding a city is silly. You can't contrive a brand name for a city. A city brands itself through many years, if not decades of specific socio-economic accomplishments and failures.

 

scarred for life by cleveland's a plum weren't ya? lol!

 

 

scarred for life by cleveland's a plum weren't ya? lol!

 

 

You know it!

What has had a more positive effect on visitors to Cleveland, the 'cleveland plus' posters or the DCA crews?

 

Speaking for myself, I have yet to be swayed by any "come visit x" tourism commercial. I am much more influenced by opinions and comments from people who have actually visited "x".

 

The money currently spent producing slick montages of sexy skyline shots would be much better spent making sure every convention, meeting, or whatever has a mind blowing good experience. Let's let people decide Cleveland is a great place to be not because of some 3 minute video or cute map, but because when they were dragged here they found they actually enjoyed themselves.

See, but this is part of our problem as well. We put too little value to those "3 minute videos". I agree that we need to make sure that the experience here is fantastic. But marketing DOES matter. Marketing IS important. And we've always been bad at marketing because we foolishly put no value to it.

 

We can have the best attractions, the best experience, etc. but if no one knows about it, it doesn't matter. Word-of-mouth alone isn't enough. I've heard many people, including Ivan Schwartz of the Film Commission, say that outsiders opinions of Cleveland is not as bad as Clevelanders think it is. Outsiders, for the most part, don't have a BAD opinion of Cleveland. They have NO opinion of Cleveland. That's where the marketing comes in. You have got to market what you're doing or no one will know it. Cleveland's image isn't sexy enough. It's not because we don't have tremendous assets or things to brag about. It's because we suck at marketing. And I think this attitude of "marketing doesn't matter" puts us even further back. If people have any opinion of Cleveland at all, in many cases its the same tired old "smokestacks and hardhats" image of Cleveland's past. I've heard outsiders still talk about the freaking Cuyahoga River catching on fire, like that happened last week or something!

 

So yes, the experience means A LOT. But let's not be foolish and act like marketing isn't important and that the experience alone is enough. It isn't. It can't be all marketing and it can't be all experience. You need both. In my opinion, waiting for people to get dragged here to fall in love with Cleveland instead of attempting to entice people to want to come here in the first place is not a winning strategy.

 

And Cleveland is in desperate need of a swagger increase. Marketing helps that. It's time for us to brag about ourselves a little bit more. That's the biggest thing I hear from people who come to and fall in love with Cleveland from places like Chicago or New York City or Los Angeles. They all say that our swagger isn't big enough. We don't brag enough. And we should. We have a lot to brag about :)

Yes, the swagger does matter. Recently, I talked with a business acquaintance who is located in Detroit but does business in lots of different cities. According to him, the Eminem commercial and the subsequent Chrysler commercials have had a definite impact on the mood in Detroit.

Yes, the swagger does matter. Recently, I talked with a business acquaintance who is located in Detroit but does business in lots of different cities. According to him, the Eminem commercial and the subsequent Chrysler commercials have had a definite impact on the mood in Detroit.

 

From a professional stand point, "swagger" does not matter if the net result is still a poor representation of what is "reality".  Example, Atlanta.  Billed as the "Black mecca" is been anything but that over the last 15 years. 

^You don't get it. Everything, EVERYTHING, is part reality and part hype. Yes the hype can't be just completely fabricated. But lets not be naive and pretend that hype doesn't matter. It does. People don't want to go to "unsexy" towns. Detroit is getting better, but its a dump. They have more problems than we've ever had. Their corrupt government makes the Dimora era Cuyahoga County government look like the boy scouts. But the marketing of the Eminem commercial and everything HAS made a difference there. I just think its absolutely blockheaded to think that marketing doesn't matter. It's a very small, regressive, "midwestern" way of thinking. We have a quality of life better than most. We have bright lights. Its time to turn them on and show it to everybody. I will never understand why people in this town don't get the power of glitz. The power of marketing. We have the individual pieces in place. But we need to promote it. I love this city, but I HATE that mentality. Promote Cleveland! It matters.

 

And Atlanta has been doing pretty well in recent history. BECAUSE OF part reality and part hype. YOU NEED BOTH.

^You don't get it. Everything, EVERYTHING, is part reality and part hype. Yes the hype can't be just completely fabricated. But lets not be naive and pretend that hype doesn't matter. It does. People don't want to go to "unsexy" towns. Detroit is getting better, but its a dump. They have more problems than we've ever had. Their corrupt government makes the Dimora era Cuyahoga County government look like the boy scouts. But the marketing of the Eminem commercial and everything HAS made a difference there. I just think its absolutely blockheaded to think that marketing doesn't matter. It's a very small, regressive, "midwestern" way of thinking. We have a quality of life better than most. We have bright lights. Its time to turn them on and show it to everybody. I will never understand why people in this town don't get the power of glitz. The power of marketing. We have the individual pieces in place. But we need to promote it. I love this city, but I HATE that mentality. Promote Cleveland! It matters.

 

And Atlanta has been doing pretty well in recent history. BECAUSE OF part reality and part hype. YOU NEED BOTH.

 

I don't get it???  Thats laughable!  PR/Promotions/Marketing/Special Events is what I do.  LOL  LOL.  Hilarious!

 

Cleveland has always had great marketing ideas (yet cant seem to execute).  One campaign that I've suggest we bring back is the "best location in the nation".  We also had a great "Downtown" Campaign.

 

We get it, but out old antiquated leaders do not get it!

^You don't get it. Everything, EVERYTHING, is part reality and part hype. Yes the hype can't be just completely fabricated. But lets not be naive and pretend that hype doesn't matter. It does. People don't want to go to "unsexy" towns. Detroit is getting better, but its a dump. They have more problems than we've ever had. Their corrupt government makes the Dimora era Cuyahoga County government look like the boy scouts. But the marketing of the Eminem commercial and everything HAS made a difference there. I just think its absolutely blockheaded to think that marketing doesn't matter. It's a very small, regressive, "midwestern" way of thinking. We have a quality of life better than most. We have bright lights. Its time to turn them on and show it to everybody. I will never understand why people in this town don't get the power of glitz. The power of marketing. We have the individual pieces in place. But we need to promote it. I love this city, but I HATE that mentality. Promote Cleveland! It matters.

 

And Atlanta has been doing pretty well in recent history. BECAUSE OF part reality and part hype. YOU NEED BOTH.

 

I don't get it???  Thats laughable!  PR/Promotions/Marketing/Special Events is what I do.  LOL  LOL.  Hilarious!

 

Cleveland has always had great marketing.  One campaign that I've suggest we bring back is the "best location in the nation".  We also had a great "Downtown" Campaign.

 

We get it, but out old antiquated leaders do not get it!

If you think that, you don't get it, with all due respect. lol. Our marketing has sucked for decades. We're still trying to get milage off of old, stale marketing. Cleveland has no identity. The "Best Location in the Nation" thing is cool and to have that hang around, thats all well and dandy. But its old and stale. Cleveland needs an identity. Our marketing thus far has failed in that aspect. You gotta admit that. In Cleveland, you can live a big city lifestyle at a small city cost. THAT's the hook. Best Location in the Nation doesn't define anything. Building our image around the lifestyle that we're trying to create here, that's what brings people in. Not things like "Best Location in the Nation" or the woefully corny "Cleveland's a Plum" ("Cleveland has always had great marketing", lol). We need to market ourselves as a modern, 21st century city that has all the perks of the big cities but its not so big that you get lost in the crowd.

^You don't get it. Everything, EVERYTHING, is part reality and part hype. Yes the hype can't be just completely fabricated. But lets not be naive and pretend that hype doesn't matter. It does. People don't want to go to "unsexy" towns. Detroit is getting better, but its a dump. They have more problems than we've ever had. Their corrupt government makes the Dimora era Cuyahoga County government look like the boy scouts. But the marketing of the Eminem commercial and everything HAS made a difference there. I just think its absolutely blockheaded to think that marketing doesn't matter. It's a very small, regressive, "midwestern" way of thinking. We have a quality of life better than most. We have bright lights. Its time to turn them on and show it to everybody. I will never understand why people in this town don't get the power of glitz. The power of marketing. We have the individual pieces in place. But we need to promote it. I love this city, but I HATE that mentality. Promote Cleveland! It matters.

 

And Atlanta has been doing pretty well in recent history. BECAUSE OF part reality and part hype. YOU NEED BOTH.

 

I don't get it???  Thats laughable!  PR/Promotions/Marketing/Special Events is what I do.  LOL  LOL.  Hilarious!

 

Cleveland has always had great marketing.  One campaign that I've suggest we bring back is the "best location in the nation".  We also had a great "Downtown" Campaign.

 

We get it, but out old antiquated leaders do not get it!

If you think that, you don't get it, with all due respect. lol. Our marketing has sucked for decades. We're still trying to get milage off of old, stale marketing. Cleveland has no identity. The "Best Location in the Nation" thing is cool and to have that hang around, thats all well and dandy. But its old and stale. Cleveland needs an identity. Our marketing thus far has failed in that aspect. You gotta admit that. In Cleveland, you can live a big city lifestyle at a small city cost. THAT's the hook. Best Location in the Nation doesn't define anything. Building our image around the lifestyle that we're trying to create here, that's what brings people in. Not things like "Best Location in the Nation" or the woefully corny "Cleveland's a Plum" ("Cleveland has always had great marketing", lol). We need to market ourselves as a modern, 21st century city that has all the perks of the big cities but its not so big that you get lost in the crowd.

 

Sweetie that was a typo I omitted a word.  So before you try to let me have it, I suggest you read this entire thread.  My view points on marketing this city are well known.

^If it was a typo, thank God!  :-D Our marketing has been terrible. That's the point, to bring it back. Its not a choice of "marketing vs reality". Its BOTH. You gotta have both. And in some cases, not necessarily 50-50. Some things are 60 percent hype and 40 percent reality. I still argue that "Best Location in the Nation" is not enough.

Market the "authenticity" of this city.

 

As the suburbs of Everytown USA continue to become identical, the desires for historic and unique surroundings will grow.

Cost of living and by extension quality of life would be central to anything I'd suggest

I'm not sure, but I think we should probably not use a message that comes off as "cheap."  We keep getting told that new apartments are impossible unless they're $1500 a month, and that's not really cheap anyway.  People who are interested will discover our favorable cost of living without too much difficulty.  Instead I would focus on the quality of the urban lifestyle people can have here, which would be news to most of the audience.  Cherry pick the densest neighborhoods, highlight rail transit, show nightlife that's better than a certain Bulls player says it is.   

I'm not sure, but I think we should probably not use a message that comes off as "cheap."  We keep getting told that new apartments are impossible unless they're $1500 a month, and that's not really cheap anyway.  People who are interested will discover our favorable cost of living without too much difficulty.  Instead I would focus on the quality of the urban lifestyle people can have here, which would be news to most of the audience.  Cherry pick the densest neighborhoods, highlight rail transit, show nightlife that's better than a certain Bulls player says it is.   

 

$1,500 is cheap compared to other metropolitan areas.  Affordability is important.

'Best Location in the nation' is a nice quaint phrase, and should be relegated as such. It sounds like something a guy from a 1940's newsreel would say while some big band music is playing in the background.

 

Marketing, ie. promoting the city's assets, definitely works and a cohesive, sophisticated strategy is absolutely necessary. Rhyming catch phrases don't work unless you're selling laundry detergent, or defending OJ Simpson.

This discussion reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite Cleveland movies, Oh in Ohio, where the main character has a TeamNEO-esque job selling the city from a corporate marketing perspective.

 

"... From a decaying industrial town into a vibrant, world-class metropolis. What was once 'the mistake by the lake' is now 'the roar by the shore.' Do you know how many times I've typed this letter?"

 

:)

 

 

one of my favorite Cleveland movies, Oh in Ohio

 

I had high hopes for that movie, but it was painful to watch.