I'm fine with carpetbagging if the result is positive. The problem is the video seems generic, something that with a few tweaks could be used in any number of struggling mid-sized cities, and focuses on the wrong things. Restaurants and hipsters/attractive young professionals are the predominant images you see instead of neighborhoods and families. Grit and water and parks and steel and hospitals and theaters and schools and churches and people over 40 and actual residents and RTA -- more of those things we need. Show us names of neighborhoods alongside images of homes and construction as opposed to over-sized text that says nothing of importance.

 

The more times I watch the video, the more I dislike it.

 

 

My understanding is that this is a video aimed at young travellers with disposable income.  Why would we show them a picture of a bungalow and say "Lee-Harvard"?  "Hey Twenty somethings from the coast, come visit our elementary schools!"  How do you know these people aren't actual residents?  Cause they aren't a bunch of schlubs?

Has anyone on this forum decided to visit, or move to a city based on the city's marketing campaign?

Has anyone on this forum decided to visit, or move to a city based on the city's marketing campaign?

 

Honestly, no. But I have considered visiting Mobile, AL based on their ad campaign. 

The stock imagery of people "cheers-ing" at a packed restaurant table always makes me laugh.  Reminds me of the Cadillac Ranch decals above the storefront.

I'm fine with carpetbagging if the result is positive. The problem is the video seems generic, something that with a few tweaks could be used in any number of struggling mid-sized cities, and focuses on the wrong things. Restaurants and hipsters/attractive young professionals are the predominant images you see instead of neighborhoods and families. Grit and water and parks and steel and hospitals and theaters and schools and churches and people over 40 and actual residents and RTA -- more of those things we need. Show us names of neighborhoods alongside images of homes and construction as opposed to over-sized text that says nothing of importance.

 

The more times I watch the video, the more I dislike it.

 

 

My understanding is that this is a video aimed at young travellers with disposable income.  Why would we show them a picture of a bungalow and say "Lee-Harvard"?  "Hey Twenty somethings from the coast, come visit our elementary schools!" 

 

If that's the case they shouldn't have produced something that's this generic and derivative.

 

"It's the hottest fire that makes the strongest steel!"

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaBeuhzABNc

now THAT is an amazing commercial/ad

Has anyone on this forum decided to visit, or move to a city based on the city's marketing campaign?

 

This is directed at tourism, weekend & business travelers.  Not people relocating to the city from the 'burbs.  I was at Positively Cleveland meeting & the presentation showed very clearly that they were targeting Pittsburgh, Columbus & Detroit.  People looking for a 2-3 road trip type of weekend.

 

The other part of the presentation that was made very clear is that Cleveland has an "image" problem, not a "product" problem.  If you ask 10 random people who've never been to Cleveland what they think about the city, they don't like it.  Exact opposite for a city like Chicago - people think it's great even if they've never been. 

 

Cleveland has world class culture, sports teams, architecture, transit, the lake, nightlife, accessible DISTINCT neighborhoods, and most of all, Cleveland offers an opportunity for a UNIQUE experience.  To do something rare, have an adventure, and blend in with the locals.  That is what creates a vibe, draws people back, makes them tell a friend about how great it was.

I think this marketing campaign is significantly better than previous ones, and I do like the message.  But I agree that the imagery is a little too generic.  IMO, the two best examples of videos capturing the "feel" of a city are the Detroit one that bumsquare posted above, and this Pittsburgh one (which is admittedly an extended ad for the Pirates.)  I think they do a good job of making their respective cities look interesting without much of the typical glass-clinking that w28th mentioned.  Wish I knew how to replicate it, but if I did, I would be in marketing!

 

I would love to see the data that says people have an overtly negative opinion of Cleveland.  It might just be my anecdotal experience, but I have always travelled a lot from work and meet dozens of tourist each week on New Orleans, and people used to look at me when I said I was from Cleveland kinda the same way you would look at a person who said "my car just got towed". A mix of sympothy, surprise, and head tilt "oh, it's going to be OK"

 

But honestly, in the last three or so years, that is less and less.  The worst reaction I have had from someone under 30 in the past few years has been just ignorance, having no opinion about Cleveland.

 

I'm not sure if it is things like "Hot in Cleveland", The Cleveland Clinic, Michael Symon on the Chew, Case, or maybe the fact that (I'm not happy to say) Detroit taking on the role of the distressed city to make fun of.

Regardless, in my experience, people just don't talk bad about Cleveland anymore.

I would love to see the data that says people have an overtly negative opinion of Cleveland.  It might just be my anecdotal experience, but I have always travelled a lot from work and meet dozens of tourist each week on New Orleans, and people used to look at me when I said I was from Cleveland kinda the same way you would look at a person who said "my car just got towed". A mix of sympothy, surprise, and head tilt "oh, it's going to be OK"

 

But honestly, in the last three or so years, that is less and less.  The worst reaction I have had from someone under 30 in the past few years has been just ignorance, having no opinion about Cleveland.

 

I'm not sure if it is things like "Hot in Cleveland", The Cleveland Clinic, Michael Symon on the Chew, Case, or maybe the fact that (I'm not happy to say) Detroit taking on the role of the distressed city to make fun of.

Regardless, in my experience, people just don't talk bad about Cleveland anymore.

 

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/01/do-rankings-affect-our-opinions-cities/883/

I liked the video overall, although I felt like they were a little lazy with the footage, between recycling the Case video's footage and using at least 3 shots of Melt food (and remember that there is no Melt in Cleveland).  Also, I found it strange that the only street sign I noticed was a prominent shot of "Detroit".  I thought it was strange that we would subliminally put Detroit in people's minds during a video like that.

^But there are several Melts throughout greater Cleveland. To call it lazy they used footage of Melt or even Coventry which is also not in Cleveland would be like getting g upset people promoting Las Vegas used video of the Strip, which is not in Las Vegas.

 

In fact I think they should have used shots of Cedar Point (with its mile long beach) and even the Pro Football hall of Fame instead of 4 or 5 shots of the Rock Hall. Both easy visits to make if you're going to be in the Cleveland-Akron area.

I would love to see the data that says people have an overtly negative opinion of Cleveland.  It might just be my anecdotal experience, but I have always travelled a lot from work and meet dozens of tourist each week on New Orleans, and people used to look at me when I said I was from Cleveland kinda the same way you would look at a person who said "my car just got towed". A mix of sympothy, surprise, and head tilt "oh, it's going to be OK"

 

But honestly, in the last three or so years, that is less and less.  The worst reaction I have had from someone under 30 in the past few years has been just ignorance, having no opinion about Cleveland.

 

I'm not sure if it is things like "Hot in Cleveland", The Cleveland Clinic, Michael Symon on the Chew, Case, or maybe the fact that (I'm not happy to say) Detroit taking on the role of the distressed city to make fun of.

Regardless, in my experience, people just don't talk bad about Cleveland anymore.

 

The marketing firm had real data they had gathered from interviews across the country, comparing a variety of cities like Portland, Austin, Nashville, Charlotte, etc.  Those places all rated positively by people who had never been there.  Cleveland was at the opposite end of the spectrum. 

 

The most striking fact in the presentation was that Clevelander's only had positive things to say about their city 30% of the time, compared to so many other cities where people had an average of 70-80% positive things to say

how's this for marketing the city

 

Cool video other than the sign at the beach 20 seconds in that says no swimming. :-o

how's this for marketing the city

 

 

Hoop girl @ 0:27... I am in love....

^ Also, with MetroParks at the helm, I'd say those care free open container party days are sadly over.

 

I just saw these today at the Beck center.  Note the one on the bottom left that reads "Just far away enough from Cleveland to enjoy life"

 

That hacked me off.

 

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2014/02/18/all-agree-great-work-buthumor-is-misunderstood/photoGallery

I sent the video to some of my friends in Marketing/Advertising here in Chicago to see what their take on it is. Honestly, Cleveland gets no love here...so I wanted to see what they thought, I will report back.

I just saw these today at the Beck center.  Note the one on the bottom left that reads "Just far away enough from Cleveland to enjoy life"

 

That hacked me off.

 

http://lakewoodobserver.com/read/2014/02/18/all-agree-great-work-buthumor-is-misunderstood/photoGallery

 

It's the Observer. There are some good people that work there but I think a few are delusional enough to think Lakewood's fortune *isn't* tied with Cleveland's.

What are those pictures even?  Maybe I'm missing something b/c I can only see them in very low res on my phone, but I don't get it.

Old but Conan with a negative joke. Start at 1:38

 

Nation's top travel editors gathering in Cleveland next week: Q & A with SmarterTravel.com's Anne Banas

 

CLEVELAND, Ohio – These editors have traveled the world – and now they're coming to Cleveland.

 

The city next week plays host to several dozen of the nation's top travel editors – from the New York Times, USA Today, Travel & Leisure and more -- who are gathering here for a four-day professional development conference.

 

They'll see lots of the city, as well.

 

"It's an amazing opportunity for us," said Scott Peacock, director of communications for Positively Cleveland, which has been organizing tours and behind-the-scenes get-togethers for the journalists at some of the city's top spots. "The timing is perfect with everything going on in the city."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/04/nations_top_travel_editors_gat.html

I hope the weather cooperates!

I hope the weather cooperates!

Unfortunately looks like rain all week!!

^^In my experience the negative stereotype is alive and well.  Although I occasionally will come across someone who knows about the progress Cleveland is making, I receive many more *gross* faces when I mention Cleveland to outsiders in my travels (mostly those in their 20's-30's).  This is especially true in other parts of Ohio, which is said to be their target market along with Detroit, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, & Chicago.

 

I travel for a living and can tell you 100% without a trace of doubt the stereotypes are alive and well. 

 

Funny too the amount of people who ask about the Flats and if it's still kicking.  Sorry...no we bulldozed that and let it sit vacant for 10 years.....

I use to be upset about the stereotypes and wanted instant change. But after living here, you CAN'T care about what ppl think and the stereotypes. I focus all my energy in what I can do to make things better. All Clevelanders should adopt that. Don't prove to ppl thru words why Cleveland is great, show them thru experiences and action. U can't erase 40-50 years of bad leadership and decline by saying we have great food and a great orchestra, etc. it's about staying focused on the end goal and making the city better, cleaner, more vibrant, funner, more sustainable, more active, etc. then each time ppl come visit they will see for themselves that indeed the ppl of this city have their crap together and there is significant movement

"Sorry...no we bulldozed that and let it sit vacant for 10 years....."

 

I think it would help tremendously if we stopped using the term "we" as though it was something "we" had any control over. It's the same mentality that rants about how "we" tore down Millionaires Row on Euclid Avenue and countless other situations. I don't about anyone else, but I didn't hop on a backhoe and rip down buildings on Old River Road, nor did I hold off writing a multi-million dollar check to the Wolsteins so they could get cranking on Flats East Bank. "We"? Really?

"Sorry...no we bulldozed that and let it sit vacant for 10 years....."

 

I think it would help tremendously if we stopped using the term "we" as though it was something "we" had any control over. It's the same mentality that rants about how "we" tore down Millionaires Row on Euclid Avenue and countless other situations. I don't about anyone else, but I didn't hop on a backhoe and rip down buildings on Old River Road, nor did I hold off writing a multi-million dollar check to the Wolsteins so they could get cranking on Flats East Bank. "We"? Really?

 

I always thought your moniker was a nod to the collectivist workers holidays, or a celebration of the "we!" ;)

 

Perhaps it is actually the distress signal? 

 

But your point is taken.  I use the term meaning our collective city, but agree WE should probably stop using it. ;)

I use to be upset about the stereotypes and wanted instant change. But after living here, you CAN'T care about what ppl think and the stereotypes. I focus all my energy in what I can do to make things better. All Clevelanders should adopt that. Don't prove to ppl thru words why Cleveland is great, show them thru experiences and action. U can't erase 40-50 years of bad leadership and decline by saying we have great food and a great orchestra, etc. it's about staying focused on the end goal and making the city better, cleaner, more vibrant, funner, more sustainable, more active, etc. then each time ppl come visit they will see for themselves that indeed the ppl of this city have their crap together and there is significant movement

 

I agree with this, but will add that while the things you mention are going on you have to tell people who don't live here what's happening to. Which is why the region needs a strong new marketing experiment.

I always thought your moniker was a nod to the collectivist workers holidays, or a celebration of the "we!" ;)

Perhaps it is actually the distress signal? 

But your point is taken.  I use the term meaning our collective city, but agree WE should probably stop using it. ;)

 

It's a nod to my birthday :-) As to Mov2Ohio's point - I agree, even if we (there's that word again!) know what's happening, the word needs to get out.

I use to be upset about the stereotypes and wanted instant change. But after living here, you CAN'T care about what ppl think and the stereotypes. I focus all my energy in what I can do to make things better. All Clevelanders should adopt that. Don't prove to ppl thru words why Cleveland is great, show them thru experiences and action. U can't erase 40-50 years of bad leadership and decline by saying we have great food and a great orchestra, etc. it's about staying focused on the end goal and making the city better, cleaner, more vibrant, funner, more sustainable, more active, etc. then each time ppl come visit they will see for themselves that indeed the ppl of this city have their crap together and there is significant movement

 

PREACH!

I'm from Cleveland and live in NYC and when I was in a big time meeting with my job, everyone was talking about where they were from and went to college..Columbia, NYS, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins...  Then came me... I said " I went to Cleveland State"  as proudly as if I had gone to Columbia.  Cleveland has nothing to apologize for...it's a great city in the midst of an unbelievable turnaround.   

Seems like a good place to put this article. Travel writers in town for the weekend gave the PD their before and after impressions of the city.

 

Cleveland shines and surprises during travel editors' visit: Before and after impressions

Travel Editors take Quirky tour of Cleveland

 

Print Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer By Susan Glaser, The Plain Dealer

on May 06, 2014 at 9:12 AM, updated May 06, 2014 at 10:59 AM

 

Eye-opening, world-class, overlooked no longer: Travel editors who converged on Cleveland this past weekend left enlightened and impressed (and probably 10 pounds heavier, quipped one).

 

The journalists – members of the Society of American Travel Writers' Editors Council – were here for three days, crammed with sightseeing and professional development seminars.

 

Among the highlights were top sights (the Cleveland Museum of Art) and little-known attractions (Lakewood's Museum of Divine Statues). They attended an Indians game (and saw a win), watched the new Playhouse Square chandelier get lit up and toured the Rock Hall.

 

The only negative comments overheard referenced the weekend's chilly temperatures.

 

Last week, in advance of their visit, we contacted several of the editors and asked about their impressions of the city. This week, we followed up once they'd returned home to see if their experiences matched their expectations.

 

Here's what some people who travel for a living thought about Cleveland – before and after:

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2014/05/cleveland_shines_and_surprises.html#incart_m-rpt-2

I'm from Cleveland and live in NYC and when I was in a big time meeting with my job, everyone was talking about where they were from and went to college..Columbia, NYS, Harvard, Yale, Johns Hopkins...  Then came me... I said " I went to Cleveland State"  as proudly as if I had gone to Columbia.  Cleveland has nothing to apologize for...it's a great city in the midst of an unbelievable turnaround.   

 

haha yep and bully for you i love it! as you probably know the usual ny rule is either you went to an ivy or you didnt, outside of that noone judges, so you can always feel free to fly your state u flag.

I just saw a commercial of the #thisisCLE clip on tv in Columbus during the NBA playoff game. However, rather than using the original Welshly Arms song, it was the Black Keys "Your Touch."  I like the Black Keys song but I like the Welshly Arms song better for the promo.  They originally said they didn't have enough money for the Black Keys song, anyone know the story behind this?

During the ESPN commentary of Brian Windhorst, he said our city was 50 years in decay?  He makes me sick!

 

They made it seem like all we have is sport and live and breath by them!  UGH!

 

During the ESPN commentary of Brian Windhorst, he said our city was 50 years in decay?  He makes me sick!

 

They made it seem like all we have is sport and live and breath by them!  UGH!

 

Clearly the RNC chose us because of our decay.  Whatever, Windhorst.  Are you just mad that you're gonna have to leave South Beach now?

Don't let that Jonah Hill lookalike get to you. Tweet him (@WindhorstESPN) and let him know what is really going on in our beautiful and bustling city!

Cleveland has had one hell of a week!

Don't let that Jonah Hill lookalike get to you. Tweet him (@WindhorstESPN) and let him know what is really going on in our beautiful and bustling city!

 

I did. I told Wind Horse he's not welcome here anymore because Cleveland is too good for him.

I wouldn't even acknowledge the guy. His only relevance was his alleged close connection to LeBron's camp, and given that he consistently stated that LeBron was going back to Miami, I think it's safe to say that he wasn't on the inside track. He's transferring his bitterness about his own situation back onto Cleveland.

During the ESPN commentary of Brian Windhorst, he said our city was 50 years in decay?  He makes me sick!

 

They made it seem like all we have is sport and live and breath by them!  UGH!

 

 

I generally like Windhorst.  He's a self-made highly knowledgeable guy on all things NBA and he took the opportunity of working in the small market of the best player in the world to gain notice on the national stage.  Notably he's a nuts 'n bolts expert re the arcane aspects of NBA team financing and the salary cap like nobody else I've seen at ESPN ... Good for him... Windhorst nearly lost his life 5 years ago  because of illness and exhaustion, perhaps in part due to his long hours dedicated to his craft and poor eating habits -- Not to crack on the guy but let's face it, Brian's no one's idea of an Adonis/physical specimen by any stretch... I never blamed him for leaving for Florida (and now Bristol, CT) when LeBron left because, as much as I love Cleveland, I would have done the exact same thing had THAT kind of opportunity presented itself to me -- I suspect many UOers would have done so, too... That said, I thought his commentary yesterday, especially the declining Rustbelt crap, was opportunistic and obsequious ... playing to the national audience at the expense of his hometown... Methinks Brian may be experience a tad bit of jealousy -- LeBron, the phenomenon he followed down to glam South Beach has returned back to a rising (in stature) Cleveland while, though a national celebrity/reporter, Windhorst is stuck in awful Bristol, CT... Break out the violins! 

I had the pleasure of watching ESPN as the news broke.  At the desk, in addition to whomever the host was and Marc Stein, were Brian Windhorst and Chris Broussard, two local guys who are NBA reporters for ESPN.  To be clear, Broussard is half the reporter/analyst that Windhorst is, but their instant reactions were telling about them as 'Clevelanders'/'Ohioans'.  Broussard was borderline giddy.  He had to turn away from the camera because he was smiling.  Windy looked white as a ghost, like someone ran over his puppy.  Later on in the show, Windy said (kind of awkwardly) that he had been summoned to a meeting with his boss at ESPN.  I wasn't sure he was going to return to the air, especially since SI scooped him and the rest of ESPN on this story.  He did come back on the air later, but I think his future with ESPN is up in the air.  He is a print journalist and, given that this episode showed how detached he has become to LeBron's inner-circle, I think he will be headed back to that role..... which he is best at anyway.

I had the pleasure of watching ESPN as the news broke.  At the desk, in addition to whomever the host was and Marc Stein, were Brian Windhorst and Chris Broussard, two local guys who are NBA reporters for ESPN.  To be clear, Broussard is half the reporter/analyst that Windhorst is, but their instant reactions were telling about them as 'Clevelanders'/'Ohioans'.  Broussard was borderline giddy.  He had to turn away from the camera because he was smiling.  Windy looked white as a ghost, like someone ran over his puppy.  Later on in the show, Windy said (kind of awkwardly) that he had been summoned to a meeting with his boss at ESPN.  I wasn't sure he was going to return to the air, especially since SI scooped him and the rest of ESPN on this story.  He did come back on the air later, but I think his future with ESPN is up in the air.  He is a print journalist and, given that this episode showed how detached he has become to LeBron's inner-circle, I think he will be headed back to that role..... which he is best at anyway.

 

[professional hat on] It was a concerted effort to have LBJ distance himself from the decision.  That was a PR nightmare.  In addition the SI and sister companies are able to reach more people.  Connections that will be beneficial after his NBA career.  Prior to LBJ coming into the league it was SI that had been there all along, with exception to The Decision. [professional hat off]

^ oh boy i would love to see a clip of that moment on the 'ol youtubes!

^ oh boy i would love to see a clip of that moment on the 'ol youtubes!

 

I need enough $$ to retire comfortably in PR first!

huh? oh sorry, but obvs that was for hts espn remark, not you mts. but do go on, don't let it take you out your fantasy world groove.  :-D

huh? oh sorry, but obvs that was for hts espn remark, not you mts. but do go on, don't let it take you out your fantasy world groove.  :-D

 

Darn you!  Remind me to have your cable and all magazine subs cancelled!

and let me remind you that cable tv went out with phone cords and seinfeld phones. i don't know anybody, from cle to the ues and tribeca to tha hood, that has cable tv. better get back to work lol!