Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Logo Makes Me Wanna Go

My friend Bill Baker (author of "Destination Branding for Small Cities") and I have an odd relationship. We send bad logos to each other.

Yesterday, he posted on a critique of the new logo for America Tourism. BNET's Jim Edwards believes it looks more like a campaign logo than one designed to make people want to come to this country. After all, he said, "when was the last time you went on vacation to the most patriotic destination you could afford."

Interesting point...and our logo doesn't even showcase the four most important aspect of the nation.

Like this logo-design award winner from Upshur County WV.

Sigh.

Never Give Up

One of the more frustrating aspects of destination development these days is just how hard it is to increase commercial flights into our communities (known in the industry as "lift"). Predictably, the airlines haven't exactly been entrepreneurial in expanding service during the recession. But, that doesn't mean it can't be done.

Tiny (but stunningly beautiful) Moab UT just did it...landing two more daily flights from Great Lakes Airlines. Apparently, the Destination Marketing Organization there created a PowerPoint presentation on the opportunities for increased service, the Airport Manager and a County Council member made the rounds...and, Great Lakes stepped up and added service to Vegas.

I know it's frustrating as hell to get turned down over and over by the airlines...but you can never stop making the case. Because, you never know when they'll say yes.

Congratulations, Moab. Well done.

 

The Next Atlantic City

If it's gaming...it's Vegas. And, next in line is Atlantic City.

For a few more months, anyway. A new report out says that Pennsylvania will outpace Atlantic City in gaming revenue by next year.

While some will point at Atlantic City as not keeping up...the real issue is that a large portion of that destination's customers came from Pennsylvania. Now, with options throughout the State (and so much closer) what does Atlantic City offer gamers that Bethlehem, Erie and the Poconos don't?

That's what they'll need to answer in the months ahead...as Vegas has already figured out.

Because...it's not about gambling anymore. We can do that anywhere...

Air Law 16

For those of us that are forced to travel on Regional Jets (RJs), we know what it's like to press up against someone we don't know for a few hours. And, while pressing up against a stranger can have its upside...it's all downside on an RJ.

While there's not much one can do about rubbing shoulders, there's a whole lot one can do about rubbing legs.

I'm constantly fascinated by the guys (and it's always guys) that splay their legs so that they are so in my space that I have to question their sexual orientation.

Dude...see where the arm rest makes an invisbile line with the arm rest in the seat in front of us? That's the LINE. Don't cross it. Even if you think you're all that ('cause you're so not).

If you do, I'm gonna take my hand and begin carressing your knee. Because you're obviously coming on to me. Or, you're just mindlessly stoopid.

Either way...I've got the Air Laws backing me up on this one.

Keep your legs to yourself...

Bad English

OK...I know this dates me terribly. But there was something so powerful about Bad English. A mashup of The Babys and Journey, there was a cool mix of satin and leather in their sound.

Much of that came from John Waite's exquisite vocals...but the power chords of Neil Schon and Jonathan Cain completed the sound magnificantly.

There are several gems from their two sadly forgotten albums, but "The Price of Love" is that perfect anthem for a couple on the edge. And, the video is one of the more creative of that era.

And, yes...I'm a sucker for the line "we're more than lovers, more than friends."

Rolling the Dice

There's a gimmick born every minute. Allegiant Air has the newest.

Buy a ticket and if fuel prices go down, you get a rebate.

If fuel prices go up, you get screwed.

Whatever...

Watch those Dimensions

There are lots of automated processes that convert the image you upload into the size that the host site wants it to be. Think Facebook, where your profile image will display within a square or a vertical rectangle, even if you uploaded a horizontal rectangle.

It happened the other day on one of the local TV station's website, where a rectangular shot of a Madison Police car was reproduced somewhat differently in the headlines section.

Or, is that the new look for a pest control service in town? 

Dancing with the (DMO) Stars

It takes quite a bit of confidence to put oneself out there in the public eye doing something that is outside one's comfort zone. Or, it takes someone that has a deep love for his community and a cause. In Brad Toll's case, it's both.

The CEO of the Greater Green Bay CVB recently competed in his community's version of "Dancing with the Stars" and helped raise over $12,000 for the American Red Cross. A source that shall remain nameless shared this shot from the night (and others can be seen here).

Brad...you rock. Or, in this case, cha cha.

The Loss of Teen Spirit

What has happened to School Spirit?

The High School that all three of my daughters attended qualified for the Elite Eight of the State Basketball Tournament this year for the eighth straight year. Which is pretty freakin' amazing.

At those early games in the run, the student section was simply packed with Spartan green. They had their own cheers. They had their own dance moves. They were almost as much fun to watch as Michael, Wes, Justin and the rest of those early teams.

As I watched v8.0 of the Memorial Spartans in the Championship Game Saturday night, I was stunned that the student section was a shadow of its former self. Only 2/3 of the seats were taken...and I surely didn't see anything like the Ikegwuonu brothers' legendary crowd-sourcing movements.

Am I missing something? And, don't tell me it's gas prices or the cost of hotel rooms...because the Championships are played, errr, in our home town.

Is it because winning is old hat for this school? Or, is it because today's students no longer embrace the concept of winning?

Because, from my perspective, it sucks.

Congratulations, Spartans. At least I was doing the old crowd moves in my easy chair as you won another State Championship...in triple OT. Hell yeah.

Image: Martha Busse / Madison Magazine

The Slippery Slope of Intervention

Don't get me wrong...Khadafy is a bad guy whose regime has lasted decades longer than it should have. So, on one hand, today's coalition strikes against the Libyan military that have been carrying out retribution against protesters and opposition groups are a good thing.

However, imagine this scenario: Americans, frustrated with a government that no longer listens to its citizenry, begin to flood capital cities with protests that go on for weeks. The government tires of the protests and calls out the National Guard to quell the rebellion. The protesters fight back...and blood is spilled. Civil disobedience soars. The government begins to use deadly force to regain command and control.

How would our government respond if the Canadian Prime Minister told America to cease and desist...or face military intervention? And, how would the President respond if the British Prime Minister told him that he had lost legitimacy and needed to step down?

I'm thinking not well. And, yet...that's kinda what we've been doing as people have risen up against regimes in the Middle East over the past couple months.

Just a thought.