Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Game Time is Money Time

For those of us that have worked in the Destination Marketing field in University towns with a high-end football fanbase, this is as second-nature as walking down the street. But, for many outside our world, they have no idea how much the time of kickoff dictates how business thrives (or suffers) on game-day weekends.

Great story from the Lincoln Journal Star on how an 11am kickoff produces a completely different result on area businesses than a 2:30 start, featuring our friend Derek Feyerherm from the Lincoln CVB.

And congratulations on a great Husker win last Saturday, my friend. 

The Jaw Drop Move

Many in the DMO space likely know of Jon Schmieder, Founder and CEO) of the Huddle Up Group, a sports consultancy with which we work from time to time, when the situation requires a broader synergy and vision. 

Jon posts a weekly newsletter called the "Monday Huddle Up" which deserves your subscription. But, if you're reticent because, like streaming services, you're already overwhelmed, at least take time for yesterday's post. It's one of his best.

And an awesome story.

Riding Down a Dream

It was the Summer of 2014. DMOproz had just been selected by Virginia's Blue Ridge to develop a Tourism Master Plan for the region. In one of our earliest meetings, CEO Landon Howard shared that he thought that the region could be known as the Mountain Biking Capital of the East Coast. After an afternoon on a bike, a member of our onsite Assessment Team confirmed Landon's hunch, saying their trails were among the most rugged and scenic he'd ever ridden.

In the years that followed, Virginia's Blue Ridge worked with local biking interests to secure Silver certification from the International Mountain Biking Association. And last week came news that a woman's cycling team with their eyes on the Olympics in 2024 has selected the destination as its hub of operations and training center for the next three years. Through a sponsorship agreement with the DMO, the team has been renamed Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24. Among the members is Jennifer Valente, who won gold and bronze in the 2021 Olympics. And, this isn't just a team that will be using the trails to prepare. They expect to host community rides and clinics so residents can get to know them and the sport.

Congratulations to Landon and the entire team at VBR. Well played and we couldn't be more thrilled.

The Return of the USFL

Remember the USFL? A Spring Football League that was ultimately deep-sixed by a guy that eventually became President?

Well...it's back. And the Birmingham CVB has committed two million dollars to see that the entire season (every game) is played in their city.

Of course, they're taking some hits for the decision. But, let's break this investment down. The new league (which will play next Spring and is backed by Fox Sports) will launch with 8 teams and will play a 10-game schedule plus three playoff games.

Now, you can argue all you want about what percentage of the crowd will be local versus room night visitors or what the true economic spend will be versus the million dollar investment. However, Fox and the teams are expected to generate 50,000 Room Nights alone. Factor in ancillary spending and the impact on the Birmingham hospitality industry could easily top the DMO's investment.

But, even if you don't believe the estimates, next Spring, for 12 weeks, Fox Sports will be broadcasting from Birmingham every Saturday and Sunday (with a few Fridays and Mondays tossed in). 23 games will be televised...all with money shots of the destination sprinkled through each game coming in and out of commercial breaks.

23 three hour, content-rich commercials for Birmingham. 40 million viewers.

What other DMO can claim that kind of international visibility?

Nicely played, Birmingham.

The Ice Cream Bowl

It's been pretty common for the DMO CEOs of Super Bowl destinations to challenge each other to a bet with some of their iconic foods, drinks or swag on the line. But, a couple Big Ten DMOs have entered the fray in the "Ice Cream Bowl" challenge.

4th ranked Penn State travelled to Iowa City Saturday to take on 3rd ranked Iowa in a nationally televised Big 10 matchup. And the two DMOs agreed to a friendly bet.

If Penn State were to win the football game, Think Iowa City would send a gallon of Heyn's Ice Cream to Happy Valley. And if Iowa won, Think Iowa City would receive a gallon of ice cream from the Penn State Berkey Creamery.

“The sweet taste of victory will be even sweeter with some ice cream from Pennsylvania,” said Josh Schamberger, CEO of Think Iowa City.

A gallon of Penn State ice cream will be on its way...as Iowa came from behind to best Penn State 23-20.

And, the PR value for both destinations is priceless.

 

Solidifying Loyalty

You spent a boatload for season tickets and couldn't make a single game because of the 'VID. How does the team keep you close for future years?

Brand Strategist Gary Brandon posted this simply sensational move by the Pittsburgh Pirates last week on LinkedIn.

The cost? Virtually nothing, as they have scads of used balls laying around. So yeah...we're talking postage.

The value? A customer for life.

How can you emulate this move?

13 Million Views in 4 Days

OK...this is a sure sign that the mental strain of "The Vid" has taken its toll on us all: A 21-minute video about squirrels has gone hyper-viral.

Honestly, everyone I know is busier than they've ever been...but 13 million of us have spent a third of an hour watching squirrels try to best a NASA engineer.

Granted...it's not just squirrels, as it features Mark Rober (a Pete Buttigieg look-alike) with a playful take on science and physics.

If you are not yet one of the 13 million...treat yourself today to 20 minutes of smiles. You deserve it.

Carry on...and carry walnuts.

Rockin' GoT

Sunday posts are rare for me. But tonight's finale of Game of Thrones is no small event.

Every Friday, we offer a rare music find (or offer up a tribute to an artist that has transitioned to the next level). But, this amazing performance just can't wait 'til next Friday. It has to be enjoyed today.

Rockers Tom Morello (Prophets of Rage), Scott Ian (Anthrax) and Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) take on the Game of Thrones theme, in a decidedly rock style. Toss in showrunner Dan Weiss and original composer Ramin Djawadi for authenticity. And, coolest of all, they invite country star Brad Paisley to join in...who just shreds it.

My long lost brother from another mother shared this on my Facebook timeline yesterday...and I just must share it with you.

As we prepare to say farewell to Winter...let's rock the theme for "Game of Thrones."

Teaching Our Children Life Lessons

Besides the life lessons imparted by my loving parents, I learned a lot about living from the Board games I played as a child.

I learned that children are expensive from the game of Life. I learned that things are often not as they appear on the surface from Clue. And, I learned to make good choices from Chutes and Ladders.

All three are identified as being among the Top 10 Board Games for kids by FamilyEducation.com. As is Monopoly.

But, is the new edition of the venerable board game, expected out next month, really what we want to teach our kids?

It's called Monopoly: Cheaters Edition...and, according to Fast Company, it "plays faster, zanier, and perhaps more apropos of the current socio-political climate. Most of all, it’s a version of Monopoly that properly reflects the impulses inside our own dark hearts." 

One of the available cheats encourages players to steal money from the bank. If one is clever enough to pull it off, they not only get to keep the money but receive bonus cash. To be sure, if you get caught, you have to wear a handcuff connected to the Board. But, still...

Call me old-fashioned...but is validating cheating something we want to teach our kids?

Just sayin...

The Yin and Yang of Live Radio

To have a locally loved icon voice a spot promoting your DMO's website sounds like a dream come true. And, depending how much of a sense of humor you have when it comes to double-entendres, maybe not so much.

Former St. Louis Baseball standout Mike Shannon now occupies the broadcast booth for Cardinals games. Described as "goofy" by the New York Post, the 79-year old sportscaster suggested that one could learn about "blow jobs" at explorestlouis.com. That is, if you took the comment out of context. The real quote:

“Yes sir, you go to explorestlouis.com, they’re going to tell you about a blow job. That’s right. Artisans will appreciate the local handmade works of art at the Third Degree Glass Factory. Glass-blowing demonstrated..."

If nothing else, the media attention to the "toss-off" quote was worth every penny.