Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

The Softening of Intent

A few weeks ago, our friends at Destination Analysts released preliminary findings on the State of the American Traveler. One of the findings was shocking, given the relative strength of the economy: At this time last year, nearly two-thirds of American leisure travelers (65.3%) said that leisure travel would be at least a “somewhat high priority.” This year, the corresponding figure has sharply dropped to 59.6 percent. 

Why are we less inclined to do what we've always said we want to do? Is it because travel isn't as much fun anymore? 

Are consumers beginning to decide, with their brand new gazillion pixel flat screen TV, to curtain their love of travel in favor of experiencing the world in 4K with 360 sound? I mean, what the hell? All the hassles are mitigated. They don’t hafta sit nexta someone on a plane that should have purchased two seats and a bar of soap sometime in the last two weeks. They no longer are at the mercy of hotels that gave their room away and now must walk them half the city away at 10pm when they are tired and cranky. And, they don’t hafta endure self-absorbed assholes that bogart the view or use their mobile devices like walkie-talkies so everyone within a block can hear their sensationally unimportant conversation.

Why not just curl up, call up GOusaTV or any number of channels…and see the world from their Barcalounger?

Yeah but, they then won’t experience the world.

Let's keep that in mind as we create the stories and experiences to get them off the couch.

The Other Bill Geist

After inadvertently starting a small online ruckus after posting a piece entitled "Saying Farewell" (I was just moving...not stepping away), all the online pieces about Bill Geist's retirement are bound to raise a few eyebrows.

That would be the CBS Bill Geist...not me.

We two Bills have had led curiously connected lives. Both from Illinois. Both authored books (his sold considerably more than mine). Both of us have spent time on TV (he on CBS Sunday Morning; me on the CBS affiliate in Madison WI). And, we both have daughters named Elizabeth (his goes by Libby; mine by Liz). We have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (but he earned it).

We've never met face-to-face, but corresponded via e-mail. That I own the billgeist.com domain, I would often receive story ideas meant for him. I would dutifully pass them on.

I met his son Willie a couple years ago. When I introduced myself, he said, "Oh yeah...you're the guy from Wisconsin." Too funny.

Bill leaves a legacy of fascinating stories, told in a style that are all his own. A handful were excerpted yesterday as he said farewell on CBS Sunday Morning. My all-time favorite was his visit to the Heart Attack Grill.

Thanks for the smiles, Bill. Sunday mornings will never be the same.

 

Cutting the Cord

With our move to the country, we decided to cut the cord. We've ended our subscription to cable TV.

And, we have entered a world we didn't know existed. A world of collusion, where scoring content from a network often requires a cable subscription.

Which was the situation this evening as I sat down to watch the kick-off of the NFL Season with the Hall of Fame Game.

Nyet. The NBC Sports app required a link to my cable provider (I no longer have one). Hulu was also a no go because I apparently didn't have the right plan.

I chuckled and put down the remote.

If I'm willing to watch your content with your commercials...and you block me because I'm not part of your incestuous cabal?

I guess I'll watch the highlights tomorrow on my phone.

Without all those commercials that are so precious to your business plan.

Y'all might want to buy a clue.

 

Can't Have it Both Ways

Ibiza is an island off the coast of Spain that is known for its nightlife and party scene. Will Ferrell wanted to produce his new Netflix film (called Ibiza) there...but the government said no after reading the script. So, it was filmed in Barcelona and Croatia.

Wouldn't you know it...now, residents of Ibiza are pissed because it wasn't filmed on their island. And, how their party culture is portrayed. Which, of course, they may have been able to influence had they allowed the comedy to be shot there in the first place.

Just sayin...

Don't Blame Amazon

Just as Video didn't kill the Radio Star, at least one analyst maintains that Amazon and the internet didn't kill Toys "R" Us.

In a fascinating piece on eMarketer Retail, Krista Garcia crunches the numbers and finds that Toys "R" Us wasn't hurt by Amazon as much as they were by Target and Wal-Mart: "Toys "R" Us buyers were less likely to purchase on Amazon than toy buyers in general and more likely to buy on both Walmart and Target (46.8% vs 38.6%)."

Her analysis holds that there is still room for specialty big-box retailers (like Best Buy)...but that the debt Toys "R" Us had accumulated prevented them from transitioning to a Best Buy strategy of becoming a "showroom" for product.

Hey MTV? It's Time to Come Back Home

While current fans of MTV may counter that the network's format is awesome, it's a far cry from the must-watch TV that it was in the '80s.

That was when the channel was exclusively focused on (care to guess?) Music Videos. It's where people went to experience (not just hear) the latest music being produced by the coolest artists. One shudders to think about the performers that would have never been heard without MTV. It was a truly revolutionary medium.

Today, it's a mish-mash of Reality TV shows that pander to the lowest common denominator. And, with the exception of last quarter, the network has seen its ratings decline consistently over the past 6 years.

It will probably require a new channel (so tarnished is the brand of MTV)...but new research certainly points to a retro movement of Gen Z in their thirst for finding new music.

It's Video (duh!). 73% of teens say that Music Videos are the best way to find and experience new music. And, that Music is best found on YouTube.

What TV Network will step forward and capture the zeitgeist with Music Video? 

Buehler...Buehler...MTV?

It Was 25 Years Ago

I'm usually better than this with anniversaries. Maybe it's another sign that I really need to slow down.

November 3rd was the 25th Anniversary of the day that changed Madison forever. It was also the day that would ultimately define and direct my professional life. It was the day that a rag-tag group of community champions beat all the odds and convinced the citizens of Madison to vote to do something sensational for their community: to build a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Convention Center which would transform the City's Downtown.

I'm somewhat bemused that Madison Media didn't take any notice (they're so, so good at anniversaries of truly meaningful things...like blizzards and tornadoes, after all). Not that it was a defining moment in my life...that it was a defining moment in my community's life.

But, that's just me. 

Thanks to George Nelson and all those that gave me the gift of being a part of the most sensational moment in this city's post-1900 history.

Madison? Feel free to celebrate this month as the one that, 25 years ago, opened the door to your sensational future in any way you deem appropriate.

Me? I think a celebratory cigar is in order.

 

A Brilliant TV Campaign

As we noted in yesterday's Z-News Commentary, the political attacks on Destination Marketing Organizations have erupted like an algae bloom on a hot summer's day over the past year. And, the lack of an effective pushback is usually a result of politicians that don't understand the critical importance of what we do. And, that's on us.

Honestly, how would most elected leaders know that Destination Marketing is one of the few programs that generates more tax revenue than it consumes? Most have never gone to school to learn how to operate a government. And yet, there they are...running our cities, counties and States. So, it's up to us to educate them.

Which is just what the Wisconsin Association of CVBs is doing with a new 60 second TV spot that aired throughout the State in late May and early June. It's no secret that it's running during the debate over the State budget...but, this message isn't just for politicians. It's for everyone to better understand, appreciate and support tourism as an economic and quality of life generator.

It's a powerful message...but even cooler how WACVB made this happen. The organization and 18 of its members helped fund the buy through the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association's Public Education Program on 22 TV stations (and 170 radio stations). The WBA matches the core buy 4-1. And, the Wisconsin Dells VCB's marketing agency, Boelter & Lincoln, generously donated their time to produce the spots.

Positively brilliant.

Congratulations to all that contributed to this stellar effort. It's a great model that we'd love to see replicated in every State.

A Miracle Moment

So many of the pilgrimages travelers make are to historic sites that commemorate the loss of life. Battlefields, terror and holocaust sites, and places where other horrible events occurred seem to hold a real magnetism for many of us.

I'm not immune...and have stood on the spot where the British came ashore in 1814 on their way to capture Washington DC and torch the White House. I shivered at the thought of walking through the over 22,000 ghosts of Antietam. And, I payed my respects at Ground Zero.

Last night, however, the goosebumps were for a different reason...as I stood in the hockey arena that hosted the game that was to become the "The Miracle on Ice." Along with over 150 others attending the Empire State Tourism Conference, I marveled at how small the arena actually is. 7,700 seats with no balcony (indeed, no second balcony). I've watched High School hockey in bigger venues.

But, it sure looked bigger and louder in 1980 when Team USA beat the previously invincible Soviets. I remember watching that game like it was yesterday...and standing in the place where history was made without a loss of life last night was sweet.

Thanks to my friends at the New York State Tourism Industry Association for a great conference...and a goosebump filled walk through Memory Lane.

The Governor Punches Back

For those outside of the State of Florida, this blog's recent preoccupation with the political machinations there may be wearisome. But, as we offered in last week's Z-News, it's a marvelous case study in real time on how both sides attempt to make their point regarding Destination Marketing.

Governor Rick Scott punches back this week with a Statewide TV ad that lays out why he's fighting his own Party over the proposed gutting of Visit Florida and Enterprise Florida.

It will prove interesting to see whether rationality and logic can prevail over ideology and envy.

Stay tuned.