Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Fairytale of New York

It's supposedly the UK's most played Christmas song each year. And, a subhead on an article reporting the passing of The Pogues' Shane MacGowan defends the song's dark, nasty lyrics as "an anthem of hope."

Apparently the result of a challenge by Elvis Costello that they couldn't write a Christmas hit, I'm pretty sure Elvis thought his bet was a safe one. He was clearly wrong.

The surreal moment this month was that the Kelce Brothers recorded the song for Jason's Christmas album, reworking it to the "Fairytale of Philadelphia." And, that video was reportedly the last thing Shane tweeted before his death.

On this Music Friday, this is the original "Fairytale of New York."

It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the Drunk Tank.
An old man said to me, "won't see another one."

Bigger than the "Big Game"

What does it say when an event that simply picks future winners and losers without a resultant highlight reel is more important than the Super Bowl?

That's what the Mayor of Detroit said yesterday in announcing updated plans to hold the NFL Draft in the Motor City next April. “This is potentially bigger than the Super Bowl,” Mayor Duggan said. “Only 60,000 people can get tickets to the Super Bowl. But for the NFL Draft, hundreds of thousands can get in — and they stay for the weekend.”

That's why Detroit is reportedly changing the playbook from past NFL Drafts and concentrating all its events downtown. According to Duggan, “When you have 300,000 or 400,000 people coming from across America, we want to change the image of Detroit in their minds once and for all. We felt like to do that, we had to build the draft into the city.”

And, ain't that the whole point of events? To change perception of a destination?

Like Detroit did in 1896...when it launched a never-before utilized Convention Sales strategy to land national events to showcase the city to potential investors.

Honoring the Positive on Thanksgiving

Sitting here, mindlessly watching the NFL on Thanksgiving (because I guess that's just what one does). And, as I watch the Lions (who, for over 90 years, despite wandering in the cellar of their division for many of those years, have hosted a Thanksgiving game), I find myself thinking back to last Sunday's game with the Chicago Bears (who was their first opponent on Thanksgiving 1934).

The national media was quick to point out that the Bears set an NFL record on Sunday by being the first team in history to have 4 takeaways and command the clock for more than 40 minutes to lose a game. And, isn't that how our culture has sadly evolved. To point out the failures?

Now, maybe the narrative in Detroit was different...but I prefer to view last Sunday's game as the Detroit Lions being the first team in history to come back from four turnovers and possessing the ball less than 20 minutes to win an NFL game. Isn't that the real story?

As we recognize our blessings, our friends and clients (so often, two and the same), we say thanks for another great year. And, to encourage us all to accentuate the positive in the New Year ahead.

New on the DMOU Podcast: Brook Kaufman

As Destination International’s Advocacy Summit is just around the corner, there’s no better time to talk with Visit Rapid City’s Brook Kaufman who, when she was with Visit Casper, ran and won a seat on her County Board. On this episode, you’ll hear why Brook thinks that more DMO pros should run for office…as well as her experiences during the last Total Eclipse of the Sun and how, as the first non-resident to helm Visit Rapid City in 40 years, she built a culture of trust with both stakeholders and staff. And, oh yeah…how she developed 40,000 Social Media followers during her quest for her first Marathon. 

It's just one of over 120 episodes with some of the best and brightest minds in Destination Marketing.

Smiles All Around

Walking back to my hotel after an early morning presentation to the Rockford Area CVB Board, I came upon a corner that made me smile (click image to enlarge). 

It was the stone in front of the Rockford Park District that read "Webbs Norman Center." Along with former CVB CEO Wendy Perks Fisher, Webbs was one of the early national visionaries that saw the potential in Sports Tourism almost 40 years ago. It was their early partnership that set into motion the transformation of Rockford Tourism. This video offers a glimpse of that relationship.

My smile grew larger when I noticed that the street in front of the Webbs Norman Center has been renamed Tim Dimke Drive...as Tim and his crew took Webbs' and Wendy's vision and expanded it even further with current RACVB CEO John Groh.

As I ducked into the sensational riverfront Embassy Suites Hotel for a quick bite before heading out, I had to smile again because I heard joy and laughter coming out of the kitchen...and that's a sound we've all missed over the past few years. But, there it was...and, as I surveyed my fellow diners, I could see how infectious it was for all of us.

And, that's just damn good management...the kind that empowers employees to have fun, please the guest and take incredible pride in their work.

Thanks Rockford...let's see if my next stop continues the streak.

The Value of Teams

Watching Princeton's incredible run to the Sweet Sixteen, I was taken by this commercial from Dick's.

It's more than Sports...it's Teams that power us forward.

The Unseen Win in Hosting a Super Bowl

Collectively, the ads were among the worst in memory (what a waste of money). The Halftime show was over-produced (please...just let her sing). And the game was genuinely enjoyable for its drama and thrilling come-from-behind win (that is, if you aren't an Eagles fan).

But, all the conspicuous consumption that surrounds such a spectacle is not inconsequential. An estimated 2,000 tons of food waste was expected to be produced. Not good for the planet.

However, working with Denali, the City of Phoenix will capture that organic waste and produce compost that can be applied to the dry Arizona soil and help the City achieve its goal of making the Super Bowl and its ancillary events zero waste.

Very cool. And, just maybe, that will help with all those turf issues in future games.

Just a thought.

Better than Any Super Bowl Ad

Terri caught this in her feed the other day and it's too sensational not to share. It's Frito-Lay's homage to the World Cup pitting Payton Manning against David Beckham (with an assist from a host of soccer-related cameos) on whether to call the sport Soccer or Futball.

Yeah...it's Soccer.

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.