Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Next on DMOU: Wisconsin's Anne Sayers

As we celebrate out 150th episode of the DMOU Podcast, we hang with Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers and talk about how the Badger State captured the culinary world’s attention with the most recent season of Top Chef. Anne explains how Wisconsin Tourism made it happen through amazing collaborations and shares how they are extending the reach of the series (and major events like the Republican National Convention and next year’s NFL Draft) far beyond the events themselves. Plus, a Bonus Round question that involves Muppets. Join us.

New on the DMOU Podcast: Lemons to Lemonade with Paul Beachnau

Gaylord is one of Michigan’s top spots for outdoor recreation (and one of our favorite getaways), where this week they celebrate Alpenfest. But in the past couple years, the community has been buffeted by a tornado, a virtually snowless winter and, like most destinations, a serious shortage of available hospitality workforce. Convention & Tourism Bureau Chief Paul Beachnau joins DMOU to talk about the resilience of the community and how his DMO managed their media relationships to emerge stronger than ever. And produced a video with locals for locals to encourage residents to consider a career in hospitality. Plus, a harrowing Bonus Round Question in which Paul shares possibly the worst day of his life. Join us.

What Talk Radio Should Be

It should be TALK.

There was a time in my life here in Madison that I filled in for a few weeks for a news radio icon in the Mad City as he recovered from a health scare. I guess that gave me cred a few years later to be considered to do fill in on talk radio. After a few shows under my belt, I was called into the program director's office. He said that I was doing it all wrong.

Take a position and drive it home, he admonished me. Don't say that an opposing position is an interesting concept. Shut them down hard, he said.

But, I offered, it was an interesting alternative. He just shook his head and I never worked on air there again.

That day came back to me when I heard that Chicago radio icon Steve Cochran got axed at the once legendary WLS. Because that is what he was trying to do with his morning show there.

Interesting story from BNM. And he's so right. That is what talk radio should be.

Not the shit we are forced to listen to from the corporate shills that only care about drama and contention.

Next on DMOU: Downtown Monopoly

Imagine your town square. Now imagine it as a one-million square foot game board. That’s what Macomb CVB CEO Jock Hedblade and his community have done in transforming Downtown into the world’s largest Monopoly Board. On this episode of DMOU, Jock joins us with the backstory of how a succession of destination wins produced a sensational visitor magnet and has set the community up for future successes. And, the Bonus Round features the story of a home town kid…who came home. Join us.

Bring It

This week, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania launched it's new Tourism Brand...the Great American Getaway, only to be dunked by a viral comment from Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards.

In an interview on TNT with Anthony, Charles Barkley admitted that he hadn't been in Minnesota for decades...to which Anthony replied, "Bring Ya Ass." Within hours, Minnesota native and comedian Jon Savitt snapped up the URL and it now redirects to the Explore Minnesota website. And, Explore is taking full advantage of the moment. 

Brilliant.

New on DMOU > Detroit's Claude Molinari

This year’s NFL Draft was a stone cold win. The biggest first day crowd in history. The biggest global television audience ever. And, it placed Detroit on the world stage for three sensational days. Ummm, Detroit? On this episode of DMOU, we meet Claude Molinari, who describes the philosophy behind recasting the Motor City’s narrative and the tactics Visit Detroit is employing to set Detroit up as the new American renaissance city. And, in the Bonus Round, one of the more interesting side hustles we’ve heard. Join us.

That's a Stretch

If you're following the growing media mania regarding next Monday's Solar Eclipse across North America, you've likely already heard this one.

Ohio's Lorain County Visitor Bureau has placed a number of Eclipse-related billboards in neighboring Cleveland, at least one of which claims the destination is the only place one can see "totality." One assumes they meant in Ohio...but since they've doubled down on the claim, despite scientific response that refutes the notion, one never knows.

To be sure, it's not often that the County can say they have something that's worthy of residents from "the Land" to make the trip (see website).  This is it, my friends...so swing for the fences, even though a link on the County's own website refers to a page that lists no less than 9 communities in Ohio that will experience "totality."

Of course, this sleight of hand very well could have been planned to generate just the media attention it has raised. As a County Commissioner said, "we got free advertising on Channel 3 last night; cost us nothing."

True...but, let's not start making stretching the truth a habit, eh? It's ultimately bad for the credibility of what professional DMOs do every day.

Next on DMOU > Sarah Miller

One of the newest marketing opportunities out there is NIL (Name / Image / Likeness)…and we touched on it briefly in Episode 122 with Experience Columbia SC’s Kelly Barbrey. On this edition of DMOU, we sit down with Destination Ann Arbor CEO Sarah Miller to hear how they have entered this arena and what they believe the future holds for them and other DMOs in this space. We also discuss her experience as a relatively new CEO...and talk about our shared experiences at the A&W. Join us.

The Long Slow Death of Local News

When 2500 Pittsburgh and Philadelphia residents were recently offered free subscriptions to their local newspapers...44 responded.

Yeah...that's <2%.

Researchers are suggesting a number of reasons, including a mistrust of local news by those on the other side of a newspaper's editorial lean. But that should still mean that roughly 50% should have taken the offer.

I think it's because we've been programmed to believe free = a catch (as I opined in the last edition of the Z-News).

Just sayin....

 

The Three A's

One of my regular morning reads is Fortune's CEO Daily. Editor Alan Murray has been in Davos the past few days, hanging with CEOs from around the world. Last night, Fortune sponsored a dinner with 80 of them...from Amazon to Intel to Williams Sonoma.

They asked the CEOs to discuss, at their tables, the biggest risks and the biggest opportunities facing business in 2024. The discussions were held under Chatham House rules, so individual comments aren't attributable. But the answers are fascinating.

My favorite quote: “In terms of risk, we talked about three A’s—asteroids, AI and assholes…assholes meaning politicians, misinformation, deep fakes—you name it."

A to that.