Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

On Creative Leadership

Leave it to my friend George Tzougros of the Wisconsin Arts Board to see something in a music video that never would have dawned on me.

When I watch today's Music Friday video from Bruce Springsteen, I am wrapped up in the utter joy that man and his band experience when they play live.

When George hipped me to the video, he said, "I thought you might enjoy this example of leadership and creativity!"

And, so it is.

When Bruce plays live, he'll often take requests from the audience for obscure songs from his amazing catalogue that the band hasn't practiced or performed in years (if ever). And, they build the song from scratch, on stage and in real time.

And, at the peak of summer in America, there's no better way to celebrate both the joy of performance and a lesson in creative leadership than this capture of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with the rarity, "You Never Can Tell."

This is How You Ruin Participation by the Best and Brightest

In its zeal to appeal to voters who have been persuaded that Destination Marketing is nothing more than corporate welfare for fat cats, the Florida Legislature has dealt a stinging body blow to its Destination Marketing Organization, Visit Florida.

While the agency escaped threatened cuts to its budget (and, indeed, elimination), the new policies under which it and its funding partners must operate has resulted in a scenario where 11 local DMOs have now disaffiliated from the mothership, damaging the efforts of all 12. In the deal to deliver full funding to the State DMO, Visit Florida member DMOs with operating budgets made up of over 50% public money (that would be most, if not all) would be required to disclose salaries of employees and Board Members.

Board Members? Really?

That sound you just heard was 11 DMOs saying "hell no" and disaffiliating from the program. 

That sound you are about to hear is the best and brightest Board Members of DMOs that don't opt-out pushing back from the table and finding something else to do with their volunteer time. 

DMOs need Board members who are successful and influential. Those individuals aren't going to stand for State bureaucrats riffling through their finances (not that anyone should).

On one hand, this could be just a ham-handed way of politicians attempting to insert envy and jealousy into the relationship between DMOs and their constituents. But, I'm more of the mind that this was a calculated move to weaken the influence of DMO Boards altogether by making it untenable for the best and brightest to continue to serve.

While it will hurt everyone involved (except the politicians, unless the electorate becomes sophisticated enough to un-elect them), bravo to the 11 for standing up for what is right.

The Agenda Driven Board Member

I am fascinated by the effort exerted by individuals and appointing governments to place certain individuals on DMO Boards. Because, 9 times out of 10, that means the appointer has an agenda. And most agendas do not belong on DMO Boards

The exception, of course, is an individual with a keen vision for the destination that they believe can be realized through collaborative conversation with like minded people on a Board dedicated to moving a community forward. I talked with such an individual a couple weeks ago as we commiserated over what had transpired with his former Board over the past year. Since he termed out, the Board had grown spineless and special interests had flared. 

And, an accomplished DMO pro was out.

All because someone thought that they should call the shot on how the community should be marketed. Never mind the fact that the CEO was a Certified Destination Marketing Executive (and he was not). Never mind that she had over two decades of experience in marketing destinations (and he did not). He was the Chair...and that imbued this part-time amateur (for, as noted in Race for Relevance, that is what the majority of Board Members are) with the belief that he knew more than the professionals.

DMO Boards do not exist to direct the marketing of the destination. They exist to advance the Organization and the Destination. If you want to influence the marketing of the destination...you should be on the Marketing Advisory Committee.

So you don't inadvertently fuck up a good thing.

I am fascinated by the effort exerted by individuals and appointing governments to place certain individuals on DMO Boards. Because, 9 times out of 10, that means the appointer has an agenda. And most agendas do not belong on DMO Boards

The exception, of course, is an individual with a keen vision for the destination that they believe can be realized through collaborative conversation with like minded people on a Board dedicated to moving a community forward. I talked with such an individual a couple weeks ago as we commiserated over what had transpired with his former Board over the past year. Since he termed out, the Board had grown spineless and special interests had flared. 

And, an accomplished DMO pro was out.

All because someone thought that they should call the shot on how the community should be marketed. Never mind the fact that the CEO was a Certified Destination Marketing Executive (and he was not). Never mind that she had over two decades of experience in marketing destinations (and he did not). He was the Chair...and that imbued this part-time amateur (for, as noted in Race for Relevance, that is what the majority of Board Members are) with the belief that he knew more than the professionals.

DMO Boards do not exist to direct the marketing of the destination. They exist to advance the Organization and the Destination. If you want to influence the marketing of the destination...you should be on the Marketing Advisory Committee.

So you don't inadvertently fuck up a good thing.

I am fascinated by the effort exerted by individuals and appointing governments to place certain individuals on DMO Boards. Because, 9 times out of 10, that means the appointer has an agenda. And most agendas do not belong on DMO Boards

The exception, of course, is an individual with a keen vision for the destination that they believe can be realized through collaborative conversation with like minded people on a Board dedicated to moving a community forward. I talked with such an individual a couple weeks ago as we commiserated over what had transpired with his former Board over the past year. Since he termed out, the Board had grown spineless and special interests had flared. 

And, an accomplished DMO pro was out.

All because someone thought that they should call the shot on how the community should be marketed. Never mind the fact that the CEO was a Certified Destination Marketing Executive (and he was not). Never mind that she had over two decades of experience in marketing destinations (and he did not). He was the Chair...and that imbued this part-time amateur (for, as noted in Race for Relevance, that is what the majority of Board Members are) with the belief that he knew more than the professionals.

DMO Boards do not exist to direct the marketing of the destination. They exist to advance the Organization and the Destination. If you want to influence the marketing of the destination...you should be on the Marketing Advisory Committee.

So you don't inadvertently fuck up a good thing.

Rockers Running

While there have been a few Rockers that have run for public office (John Hall comes to mind), most artists have preferred to opine through their craft than actually serve in State or Federal Legislatures.

Enter Kid Rock's suggestion that he may well run for the U.S. Senate...and the media begins to debate legitimacy and possibility. 

Let's take the latter concept first. Possible? Hell yes, as the Kid has significantly greater name recognition than any opponent he would face.

Legitimacy? While he came from privilege...he lived a life on the streets as a teen and, thus, can represent several life stages of his constituents. Probably more legitimate than the sitting President, n'est-ce pas?

As the whole Kid Rock story began to grow legs, I thought of a '60s counter-culture movie called Wild in the Streets (starring Christopher Jones, Richard Pryor, Shelley Winters and Hal Holbrook) in which a rock star runs for President...and wins.

It was a dark comedy then (and, yes, a totally B movie). But, it is so utterly possible today. And, it is so worth watching this amazing time capsule of an era in which we were just as divided.

So...what rocker should run against Trump in 2020?

Branded Food Porn

According to Open Table, 25% of restaurant patrons take pictures of their food before digging in (50% of those under 34 do). And, Terri and I can admit that we are part of that cohort when the presentation is sensational (the image at left is the amazing Thick Cut Sizzling Bacon at New York Prime in Myrtle Beach).

And, as about half of those snaps get shared on Social Media platforms, it hasn’t taken long for the really smart restauranteurs to begin branding the culinary creations coming out of their kitchens. From the name of the restaurant printed on noodles to actually branding the bun at a hamburger bistro, you have to admit, it’s wicked creative.

How are you branding the aspects of your product or services to qualify as photo-worthy…and Instagrammable?

Sigh

I know that the depression that leads to the ultimate decision isn't rational.

Most of us will never know what it is like to stand before thousands of adoring fans, as captured in this post's picture (click to enlarge). Most of us will also never understand how, regardless of everything else in a person's life, those moments aren't enough of a reason to stick around for another day.

We lost another creative soul yesterday. And, on this Music Friday, we pray that Chester Bennington has found the peace that eluded him in his meteoric time with us.

We say farewell with the song that says it all, "Numb."

The Politics of Destination Marketing

Politicians aren't stupid. They may not have a clue how to govern...but they are smart (or cunning) enough to get elected.

But, to get them to understand the vital importance of Destination Marketing, we need to speak in their tongue. They no more understand Room Nights and Economic Impact than a Somali Pirate knows how to build a starship. And, honestly, why should they?

But, they do understand the language of getting elected...which is why I often ask anti-DMO electeds who demand proof of the efficacy of Destination Marketing if they would run for re-election without yard signs.

As they scoff at the idea, I ask if they have proof that yard signs work. That usually curtails the "proof" conversation.

I heard an even better one from Visit Phoenix's Steve Moore at the just completed Annual Convention of Destinations International:

"Politicians run for election every two or four years. DMOs run for election (by our clients) four times a week."

And, probably even more.

Brilliant analogy, Steve.

The Annual Pilgrimage

Many of the posts we are seeing on Social Media platforms in the wake of the Annual Convention of Destinations International (formerly DMAI) refer to "head spinning." And, not in a Linda Blair way. Rather, in a TMI way.

No, wait...that came out wrong. But, you know what I'm saying. The content from the stage and conversations on the trade show floor was simply overwhelming...but all good.

The new Future Study (part of DestinationNEXT) was released and showed us two things. First, that politics and funding issues are waaay more prevalent in North America than elsewhere around the world. And second, that what we have been espousing regarding the changing role of Destination Marketing over the past three or four years is being validated every day.

In fact, I had to chuckle as a friend (and client) and I left that session when he quipped, "Well, I guess I know where you'll be taking us in our Strategic Planning process later this year."

I looked at him and laughed, saying, "I've been saying that shit for the past 5 years."

When he arched an eyebrow, I winked and said, "I'm from the future."

Indeed, the validation that content generation and curation is the most important thing a DMO can do was underscored later in the conference, as representatives from Google told us that they need DMOs and are ready to partner with us because they can't achieve the depth of content that we can.

Welcome to the new world of Destination Marketing.

Well go deeper later this week in the next edition of the Z-News (if you're not yet a subscriber, click here). And, we'll be sharing some of our favorite quotes from Montreal right here over the next few days.

For What It's Worth

The Unforgiven was one of the coolest bands that never was. We featured then a number of years ago on Music Friday and, somehow, we've circled back around with this find from Farm Aid 87.

It's a cover of the classic Buffalo Springfield song, which lead singer Steve Jones references is 20 years old (and Kris Kristofferson provides backing vocals). 

It's 50 years old today and, quite possibly, more relevant than ever.

Enjoy...and engage.

The Future of Visitor Information Centers

When it was opened in 2003, over 600 people visited the Information Center per month (and learned that a water fountain is called a bubbler here). Last year, it was 24 per month...and only 8 were from out of town.

And, the Fond du Lac WI CVB is putting their Visitor Center up for sale.

I'm not saying that Visitor Centers are passe...but, the numbers don't lie.

Centers in Melbourne, Nashville and other cities that are simply packed with visitors is one thing. What do your numbers show?