Building an Image

www.daytonbusinessjournal.com

Outsiders say Dayton has no image, but creating one is hard work

Caleb Stephens

DBJ Senior Reporter

 

On a 2004 episode of Fox's "The Simpsons," Homer and Marge plan a trip to Dayton and a stay at the fictional Dayton Arms Hotel. In town to visit an uncle, Marge thumbs through a travel guide, "Dayton: Two Exits of Fun." A tornado later blows through and turns the hotel into rubble.  That is how the creators of "The Simpsons" chose to parody Dayton. While it's sort of an honor to get the Simpsons treatment, it does pose a good question: How does the country perceive Dayton?

 

For more information, click above link.

...home to NCR Corp...just don't register

 

LOL.

 

Come to think of it, the only things that come to mind for Dayton is the flood and the Dragons. I remember watching a video in school about Ohio cities. They talked about the Queen City with it's German Heritage, the Capital City along the Scioto River and when they got to Dayton, all the guy said was Dayton is a city with no ryhme or reason as to why its there.

 

Dayton IS lucky not to have a negative image however. I might suggest something with the Arts since the Schuster (sp?) and Victoria are such assets. They could creatively redevelopment Memorial Hall, tying it into the river and Ave. of the Arts. Humm, but business seems to be what they need.

 

Or they could just promote the chicken business.

"Dayton, two exits of fun".....Pretty good!  I'm going to use that in my sig line over at SSC & SSP

I was so happy when I saw that Simpsons episode!  Definitely an honor.

 

I might suggest something with the Arts since the Schuster (sp?) and Victoria are such assets. They could creatively redevelopment Memorial Hall, tying it into the river and Ave. of the Arts.

But pretty much every city has the arts.  Although Dayton does have a lot for a city its size.

 

Or they could just promote the chicken business.

Ha!!  ColDayMan would approve!

My image of Dayton improved greatly through Jeff's photo essays. They need to hire you, Jeff.

 

 

Dayton should capitalize on its aviation heritage, plain and simple.  It is inexcusable that city that birthed, educated, and tested/created the modern airplane has not capitalized or "milked" it to the extent it should.  It is due to horrific leadership and an insecure populace.  Well Dayton, wake up.  Ya got history, use it.

The writer fails to mention that Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart, is the reason for the Dayton gag.  She grew up in Kettering.

 

Great article, though.

Dayton has an aviation heritage? I thought the Wright Brothers were from Dearborn ...

...or Kittyhawk?

 

@@@@@@

 

Yeah, aviation.  Doesn't do anything for me, but that's just me.  That Air Force Museum is supposed to be a major collection of military aircraft, so I would figure that's the big tourist draw.

 

 

Dayton has an aviation heritage? I thought the Wright Brothers were from Dearborn ...

 

The sad thing is, some people probably believe that.

 

And trust me Jeff, aviation heritage doesn't do anything for me either...but then again, neither does being Windy, a Big Apple, or a Big D.

Sorry if this was already posted in another thread (there seem to be a few threads about branding Dayton)... 

 

The City of Dayton is currently conducting an online survey for their branding efforts.  Although I'm not crazy about the the way the survery was structured, it is still worth the time to complete.  The survey is available through June 25...

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=MpsYJrDCJP9zSP2dLVOf7w==

I think Dayton has come a long way since 06 in creating a cohesive brand around itself.  It might not be widely known, but for those Googling about Dayton they are bound to find a more attractive Dayton today than they did in 06.