Bill Geist's Zeitgeist

Funky Sax

2012-01-27T07:45:00-06:00

As I noted last week...I'm discovering a bunch of artists that don't get much play in America by switching from satellite to internet radio.

While she's toured America, played with Prince and Dave Matthews and actually had a number one hit on the American Jazz Charts, I have a feeling that the name Candy Dulfer isn't exactly household. Or, maybe I'm just not paying attention like I used to.

She and her band smoke this cover of the Average White Band's "Pick Up the Pieces"...perfect for this Music Friday.

The Power of Secret Shopping Yourself

2012-01-26T09:32:56-06:00

The teaser spots have begun. And, JC Penny is about to reinvent itself.

As the story goes, part of the impetus for new CEO Ron Johnson came when he subscribed to his company's consumer e-mail alerts...and was deluged with sales announcements. Sometimes two different announcements in the same day. Last year, JC Penny e-mailed 590 separate sales alerts.

It didn't work, as the average shopper only bought four times last year.

So JC Penny is about to radically redesign their strategy, their stores and their culture. And, it's about time somebody did in the Department Store category.

It's such a simple thing to secret shop yourself...yet so few do it.

Are you signed up for your e-mail, Facebook and Twitter communiques?

And, I'm Supposed to Whip This Out, Ummmm, Where?

2012-01-25T13:28:39-06:00

In my mail the other day, I recieved a missive from my Governor, asking me to support him in fighting off the recall effort against him here in Wisconsin. I'm sure tens of thousands received the same letter.

Included in the envelope was an official "Friends of Scott Walker" membership card. It even has my name embossed on the front (click image to enlarge) and a place for my signature on the back.

However, given that over a million Wisconsinites have signed petitions for Mr. Walker's ouster, I have two questions.

Where am I supposed to show this card...and what do I get when I do?

Besides a fight...

Just curious.

I Just Don't Understand

2012-01-24T06:57:00-06:00

Allow me to set the stage. It's January...the dead of winter in the Midwest. Occupancy isn't what anyone would call acceptable. Residents pretty much stay home during the week...especially on frigid Monday nights. Thus, restaurants and bars could be excused if they elect to close on Mondays. Ain't nobody downtown.

Except...there is a 300-person convention in town on this particular Monday night. And, with that background, I have a few questions.

I've never run a hotel...but why would the HQ hotel restaurant and room-service be dark with a full house?

I've never run a restaurant, but why would the coolest culinary spot in town (and just a block away from the HQ hotel) be dark on this particular Monday?

I've never run a strip club, but why would such a nightspot (a block in the other direction) be dark on this night (and, oh yeah, the attendees at this convention skewed 80% male)?

Just because it's Monday night? Really?

Are we that married to our schedules that we can't see the opportunity that 300 visitors in a town bring to a bottom line? Maybe they all don't need to go to a strip club...but, ummm, they all gotta eat.

Like I said, I've never run a hospitality business. But, I'm pretty damn sure I would have found a way to be open and benefit from the dollars that were burning a hole in 300 visitors' pockets.

And, have a big smile on my face Tuesday morning as I made my deposit.

Just a thought...

Peering into the Mind of the Traveler

2012-01-23T09:49:00-06:00

There's good...and not so good in the brand new "State of the American Traveler" survey just released by our friends at Destination Analysts.

33% of American says they intend to increase spending on leisure travel...but that means that 67% don't.

Virtually half of all Americans say that finances are no longer a reason why they don't travel more...but that means 50% say their finances do.

And, 6% hooked up with someone new on a trip this year...but that means that you probably didn't (not that that is necessarily a bad thing...unless, of course, you were going for that).

Click here for the full report.

For Love of a Power Ballad

2012-01-20T07:21:00-06:00

As I noted last month, the new Zeitgeist office sits in such a way that we can't score a Sirius/XM signal...so I'm listening to a lot more internet radio, as of late. And, I'm having a lot of fun discovering acts from around the world that American satellite radio, sadly, hasn't embraced.

Admitting that I like the power ballad genre may put me at odds with rock elitists...but I'm so digging this duet from German rocker Udo Dirkschneider (Accept) and Doro Pesch (Warlock).

Fire up those lighters for this Music Friday find.

Yep...Those Are Pigs

2012-01-19T15:54:11-06:00

My friend Brent Cory, CEO of the Eagan MN CVB, e-mailed earlier today, "I’m not sure how the skies around Madison are looking but, in Eagan, we’re seeing countless pigs flying around!"

And, on my flight back today from a great experience at the TACVB Winter Conference in Laredo, I can confirm...pigs EVERYWHERE.

But that's to be expected when a President that has been, at times, dismissive of the American Tourism and Hospitality Industry signs an Executive Order calling for the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to work to develop a strategy to promote travel opportunities throughout the U.S.

While some could say this is simply an attempt to court an industry that one of his primary rivals in the upcoming election also has a history of undervaluing, the news that the President has gone significantly farther than any of his predecessors in realizing the importance of the Visitor Economy can't be ignored.

Congratulations to Roger Dow and the crew at the U.S. Travel Association, who have worked tirelessly to communicate the value of Tourism to our country's leaders. And, thank you, Mr. President.

Now, it's up to us to step up and support this amazing initiative. Let's not blow it.

The Loss of an Icon, Mentor and Friend

2012-01-18T14:28:52-06:00

John Lennon once said, "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." Death too.

I had planned to pay a long overdue visit to one of my many mentors in this industry after missing a chance to do so when a bunch of veteran Wisconsin DMO CEOs reunioned recently. And, now, I've waited too long.

Bill Brault was a mentor to so many of us...and he departed terra firma yesterday for the next adventure in his incredibly blessed life. Beyond the consumate marketer, he was just as amazing at idea generation and political advocacy. He was the vision behind the Packer Hall of Fame, created one of the most unique DMO structures in the nation and spearheaded a vast improvement in Wisconsin's then pourous Room Tax law.

Most importantly, he always had time to talk to newbies and always had an encouraging word when the cause appeared lost.

I know better than to wait so long to tell my friends how important they've been in my life. Yet, I've done it again.

Here's hoping he has WiFi in DMO Heaven. Bill, you rocked, I love you and I so hope we end up at the same destination when it's my time.

RIP, my friend.

Nailed it Again

2012-01-17T14:25:41-06:00

Readers of this blog know of our affection and respect for Brad Dean, one of the brightest, most driven Destination Marketing CEOs in the country, if not the world.

In the past four years, he has led the effort to quintuple his budget, donated a kidney to a complete stranger and secured, not one but, three National Presidential Debates for Myrtle Beach SC. The most recent was last night...and, as per usual, it was a huge win for a destination that has seen record successes in the past few years under Brad's leadership.

And, while a lot of rooms were sold to candidate entourages, media from around the world and hopeful attendees during an off-season month that can always use a shot in the arm, the real success came from the visuals during the broadcast and the consistent line, "Live from beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina."

And, of course, making the New York Times, Fox News and countless other sources with pictures of a massive, 525 ton Mount Rushmore-esque sand sculpture of the Republican field?

Priceless.

Brad and his stellar team rocked it again. Congratulations, my friends.

Transparency Isn't Always Best

2012-01-16T13:39:27-06:00

Like, in the case of hiring a new CEO for your Destination Marketing Organization.

And, it usually happens because government demands it. The candidate pool is revealed somewhere along the line for the sake of "transparency." Usually, a few of the finalists bow out rather than have their names revealed...and the news that they are contemplating jumping ship getting back to their current employer and industry partners. Not a good thing for anyone...and why it rarely happens in most DMO hiring scenarios.

Typically, the list is kept under wraps until the final cut is made. That's not what's happening in Daytona Beach, however, as it appears they will reveal the names of between 8-10 of those who made the first cut during meetings this week that are open to the public.

Which likely means that list will be shorter...or less experienced.

If I was an unemployed DMO pro, I'd be loving Daytona Beach for doing me the favor of artificially culling the herd of talented competitors. If I was a resident of Daytona Beach, I'd be asking the City why they are jeopardizing a pool of quality candidates that could help turn their visitor economy around.

Packers Rock

2012-01-13T08:56:00-06:00

The Green and Gold begin their quest for back-to-back Super Bowl titles this weekend. Last year, the coolest Packers song came from a couple of the guys from Garbage, masquerading as The Six Packers.

This year, it has to be Madison's Lucas Cates (who looks a lot like Aaron Rogers) and Danielle Robay doing Packer Rock Anthem.

Put your hands up!

Magical Mystery Tours

2012-01-12T08:21:00-06:00

While lots of entrepreneurs have created "Magical Mystery Tours" of Beatles sites, wouldn't you rather experience a tour of Liverpool designed BY a Beatle?

Paul McCartney has announced that he'll do just that...design a sightseeing tour of his favorite paths through the city.

What a wonderful lead in for other destinations to capitalize on their favorite sons and daughters' haunts. It's one thing to mimic the route...and quite another to know you're on THE route.

The SoMeT Story

2012-01-11T08:27:00-06:00

Faithfull readers of this blog know that I'm a big fan of SoMeT (the Social Media Tourism Symposium). And, I've been evangelizing about this event to just about anyone in the Destination Marketing industry that I meet.

An article about the event dropped on the Tuesday before Christmas on MidwestMeetings.com. Because so many of us are so distracted on the ramp up to the Holidays, I wanted to make sure you didn't miss it...as MM Editor Serenity Banks nailed why this is THE Social Media Conference of the year.

And, oh yeah...there's a picture of me in it :)

Not What They Had in Mind

2012-01-10T07:42:00-06:00

Driving home from the airport last night, I wanted to check in on the progress of the National Championship Game. As I couldn't find a Madison station running the coverage, I switched to New Orleans' WWL 870.

I listened to the halftime synopsis and, as the studio announcers threw it back to the stadium, they intoned, "Now, back to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome...and the Mazda Broadcast Booth."

It was all I could do to not swerve into the ditch through my laughter.

And, it is so not what I'm guessing Mercedes expected when they signed their naming rights agreement for the stunningly rennovated Superdome...for some serious coin (and some beads).

Missed it By That Much

2012-01-09T09:08:00-06:00

That was one of the famous lines from the '60s TV Spy-Spoof "Get Smart."

In my file purge over the Holidays, I came across a page I had saved from a 2001 edition of Midwest Meetings that identified what was going to be "in" and "out," according to a couple prognosticators.

On the way out in 2001? Deejays, Spa Resorts, Italian Food, Comfort Food, Single-Malt Scotch and Cigar Bars.

Missed it by that much.

Tonight It's You

2012-01-06T08:39:00-06:00

As I noted last Thanksgiving, I had the chance to hang with Cheap Trick one afternoon back in the '80s (and sped around Madison's Capitol Square with Robin Zander and "Wheel" in a golf cart after the '91 Taste of Madison), so...there is a connection here. Great guys all.

They don't remember me from Adam...but I've always enjoyed them. And, mine was one of the first radio stations in the country to put their breakthrough "In Color" into power rotation.

That I haven't featured them in a Music Friday yet is a crime (especially after last summer's kick-ass performance at Rock USA)...but where to start? I could fill hours on my iPod with faves.

But...Tonight, it's You.

Enjoy....

Always Wait til it's Baked

2012-01-05T07:27:00-06:00

I tell all my friends that are considering updating their brand to TELL NO ONE. And, just do it.

Telling the world invariably pins you in a corner, produces consumer and media flames and is, thus, counter-productive.

This mantra also extends to promising something that management has yet to approve.

As in the case of the Japan Tourism Agency, which announced the availability of 10,000 free flights to reignite visitation after the devastating quake/tsunami/meltdown of last year.

Except, it wasn't approved in the 2012 budget.

While they got lots of fabulous press and the fallout from the pullback will likely be less (thus, a plus in the PR world), it's still not a good idea to over promise and under deliver.

A Fundamental Conundrum

2012-01-04T08:48:00-06:00

Not that sex and alcohol are requirements for a successful vacation...but, I'm pretty sure a majority of humanoids would pick destinations where these two activities would be available.

And, that's the conundrum facing Egypt. Beyond the fact that last year's revolution severely dampened international tourism, the new composition of its Parliment could shatter its already weakened Visitor Economy.

Egypt depends on Western Visitor dollars to underpin its economy. Islamists are expected to control Parliament...and some are calling for a ban on alcohol and segregating beaches by sex.

Tourism officials warn that four out of five visitors come for to Egypt for its beaches (and not for the pyramids) and such a move would be devastating.

Proponents say that there are enough Muslims in the world that would enjoy an alcohol and sex free vacation to pick up the slack.

And so it goes when politicians think they understand the Tourism Industry.

Yeah, but....

2012-01-03T08:22:00-06:00

Nearly half of Travel Leader Agents expect customers to spend more this year, according to Travel Weekly. On the surface, this can be nothing but good news.

Except "nearly half" means that MORE than half will spend the same or less.

Not quite the recovery we had hoped for, gang.

Buckle up...it will continue to be a bumpy ride. And, we look forward to the journey with you.

A Last Thought for 2011

2011-12-30T08:50:00-06:00

Even before Music Fridays, we occasionally offered end-of-the-year songs to encourage readers to ponder the human condition and, hopefully, pledge to do something about it. Like Living Loud in 2006 and Jimi Jamison in 2008.

Michael Jackson so jumped the shark for me in the '90s...but this anthem is worth bringing back.

It's "Earth Song" from 1995...with a hope that we all get serious about saving our world in 2012.

Join you then...