Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Too Much Information

As the cold sweeps into the badlands south of the frozen tundra, it's time for warmer workout clothes. And, in the check-out lane last evening at a local sporting goods store, the cashier asked if I had a AAA card.

"I do," I replied, as I fished the proof from my wallet. "I've been coming here for years and didn't know you offered a discount to AAA members."

"We took the sign down," she absent-mindedly replied, "because too many people were using their cards to get a discount. I think we were losing money."

Which may be true...but probably not something management wanted us all to know.

I chuckled all the way home.

New Research on Reservations

Those who dine with me know that if a restaurant won't take a reservation, I'm not likely to grace them with my money. That's because, unless it is a very cool space with a fun bar, I'm not about to wait.

New research from the Cornell indicates that I am far from alone. 57% of respondents would not consider a restaurant using a waitlist for a business dinner. Study author Sheryl Kimes admits there are some operational issues with no-shows and late shows...but, given this new data, there may be a higher upside to reservations than previously understood.

The Southwest Way Would Never Work in Britain

Oh, England has its low price carriers. But, I'm not sure those airlines seek out flight crews with rapier wit and a passion for making people smile.

While I'm switching transportation modes, the management of the British Underground was not at all amused when the onboard voice of the Tube posted some mock announcements on her web site that included:

• "We would like to remind our American tourist friends that you are almost certainly talking too loudly."

• "Would the passenger in the red shirt pretending to read the paper but who is actually staring at that woman's chest please stop. You are not fooling anyone, you filthy pervert."

• "Here we are crammed again into a sweaty Tube carriage ... If you're female smile at the bloke next to you and make his day. He's probably not had sex for months."

You can hear them here...that is, if the site comes back up after the sheer weight of traffic crashed it earlier this week.

Emma Clarke may not be working for the Underground any more...but I'm guessing her future voice-over prospects are bright.

Two Views on Aliens

We posted earlier this year on New Mexico's creative attempt to break through the clutter by owning their Area 51-ness in this year's campaign. And, from that standpoint, we liked what we saw.

But there's always another side...and it comes from someone for whom I have a lot of respect. And, he has nailed the exact reason why the campaign may not work for his (and other urban) destination.

Albuquerque CVB CEO Dale Lockett recently said that the campaign appeals to a younger crowd at the precise moment when the bulk of baby boomers nationwide are reaching the age when they have time and money to travel

Touche. I still love the edgy-ness of the campaign...but so understand why it probably doesn't work for the state's two biggest destinations.

Which gets us all back to just how hard it is to market a destination with a singular image.

Don't Try This at Home

As Bill Baker opines in his new book Destination Branding for Small Cities, holding a contest is no way to develop a brand. It's not even a good way to develop a slogan.

Case in point...we give you England.

Apparently the government has decided that it needs a "truly representative" motto...and they are asking 1000 Brits to weigh in with their take.

Some of the suggestions so far:

• Americans Who Missed the Boat
• At Least We're Not French
• Best before 1939
• Dentistry is not our forte
• Hanging on in quiet desperation

Proof positive that asking the general public will generate some laughs...but nothing that you'll ever be able to use. 

Hats off to Strategic Name Development for the catch.

Black Wednesday?

Watching the Today Show during my workout Wednesday morning, the talking head at ORD joked that there were more media and camera crews in the airports than passengers.

"Whatever," I thought, dreading the late afternoon departure from PBI that awaited me.

This was the first time I had ever scheduled travel on Black Wednesday and Peter Greenberg had already posted that those of us that did should have known better...and he had no pity for us. So, I was really dreading this.

PBI looked like any other day. Same for ATL. Hey, I've seen lots busier. Lots more congestion.

With the exception of some snow in the Midwest, weather was fairly favorable. And, maybe the media has succeeded in scaring the shit out of the traveling public so we now travel on Monday or Tuesday.

Chris Elliott reported that, as of Noon among the top ten airports, only DEN was reporting less than 80% on-time numbers.

Whatever the case, in my limited experience...Black Wednesday was a piece of cake.

Another Niche to Consider

Earlier this month, we (somewhat tongue-in-cheek) posted on Suicide Tourism as the next niche in Tourism.

The UK Press Association has recently reported on another: Debauchery Tourism.

We're eagerly waiting for a DMO to float that option on their website...

Travelocity Goes Mobile

Smart move by the online booking giant, as Travelocity launches a mobile service for PDAs and SmartPhones. Travelers will be able to view text-only itineraries, flight status updates, security check point wait times and more.

That's the kind of innovation that causes guys like me to consider switching...and their long-time customers to stay.

$500 a Ticket for WHO?

OK...I've never understood the whole attitudinal Celine Dion thing. Sure she has a nice voice...but the over-the-top diva thing has always made me itch.

And, I'm sure I'm not the target market.

But her bombastic pride (or that of her handlers) has gone too far, as her website is offering tickets for shows a year from now for $500 a pop. I'll leave it to Bob Lefsetz to ponder just what one should expect for a $500 ticket.

And, while I'm sure she'll sell some, that we all could have seen her in Vegas if we wanted for the past four years makes me question whether there are really that many people that will pony up a grand a couple, in this unsure economy, to see her strut across the stage asking for our adulation.

No Catch?

Driving through Harrisburg PA yesterday, listening to local radio. Spot for Harrisburg Hyundai came on, offering double the blue book value on my trade-in.

As I quickly attempted to do the math on what trading a 2006 BMW or Jag or Lexus would produce (money back and a free Hyundai, as far as I could figure), the breathless voice-over guy exclaimed, "No catches, No gimmicks."

Then, the rapid-fire disclaimer. "Double trade-in limited to $10,000."

Errr...that would be a catch.

Don'tcha think?