Marketing a Country, State, City & Territory

Alright, we live in an unbelievably technological world and yet some people and cities don't know how to use it to their advantage.

I grew up in the Virgin Islands where 75% of the economy is dependent on tourism and my biggest complaint has always been that the Territory did a bad job of marketing itself, a US Territory that any American can travel to without the need for a passport.

Read any Sunday newspaper Travel Section and you'll read that every country, island and city is advocating for you to spend any of your disposable income there.

Yesterday, Queen Rania of Jordan took to the Internet, scratch that, let me be more specific, she took to TwitVid to kick-off a contest where she wants people to upload videos stating why you'd like to visit Jordan.

The Virgin Islands, recently, signed a new deal to market the Territory to people in the continental United States and you can expect to see more television ads when it's cold in the Northeast.


In the news today, we know that President Obama and his family is heading to Mount Desert Island, off the coast of Maine, and everyone is getting excited.  I'm sure we'll see some candid pictures and videos of the First Family walking, talking, shaking hands and even eating on their visit to Maine.

Here in Worcester, we're hearing more from City Manager Michael O'Brien as he gives his vision for a vibrant downtown filled with stores, art galleries, bakeries and restaurants through the Creative Economy Initiative.  Before the stores and other establishments can be built and opened, we all know that the first step must be the demolition of the former Worcester Common Outlet building and the construction of City Square (fingers crossed).

I wonder if O'Brien is ready to offer his own challenge to Worcester residents?  Imagine if he proposed to City residents to submit videos on ways to market Worcester, with the winning submissions being highlighted along with the winners serving on the City's "Creative" board?

Local News: Olive Garden to be built near Super Walmart

The ink has dried and it looks like construction will start this fall for an Olive Garden restaurant to be built near the super-Walmart on Tobias Boland Way a/k/a/ Walmart Way.

The restaurant, which is part of a chain of restaurants operated by Darden Restaurants, will be a BIG one. Estimated at 7,500-square-feet and being able to seat over 200 people, expect this joint to be packed.

So, now you'll be able to have a meal and then shop at Walmart in one visit.  I wonder what impact the restaurant's opening will have on the restaurants at the Shoppes at Blackstone?

Next up...............Sam's Club.

Sports: Crafty Krafts (New England Patriots)

If you're a die-hard New England Patriots fan, then maybe you already know about the "Help Vince" scavenger hunt for Vince Wilfork's 2004 Super Bowl ring.

Again, with the help of the social media application SCVNGR, the Patriots are allowing fans to venture to over 200 places in Boston to find the "lost" ring (which was said to be stolen by an angry Jets fan).

Each location comes with a new adventure and an opportunity to earn points, badges and prizes. The grand prize — a private lunch with a Patriots player — will go to the first person to find the ring.

While the Super Bowl ring isn't actually lost, this is a creative way to tie-in SCVNGR, a Boston start-up, with the 2010-2011 New England Patriots season.

Let's the games begin!

The Boston Globe: Boston Scavenger Hunt

With subscriptions to newspapers falling faster than a fat man down a flight of stairs, I find the fact that The Boston Globe is using a scavenger hunt, social media and technology to hold a contest and have people learn about the City of Boston.

Know Boston like no one else? Prove it!

If you're a top scorer, you could win one of these great prizes:

• Red Sox Tickets: A pair of Green Monster tickets for a September game
• A romantic gondola ride for two on the Charles River
• 2 Showcase Cinema de Lux tickets to the movie of your choice, plus a $30 concessions voucher
• a $50 Apple iTunes gift card
• Beantown Excursion: A four-pack of tickets for the Beantown Trolley and the Pru's Skywalk Observatory this September
• a $50 gift card to treat yourself to something special!

Top overall scorers in the Boston Globe Trek are entered into a drawing to win one of the above prizes. Game closes on 9/3/10 at 11:59 p.m.. Winners will be notified via e-mail beginning on 9/7/10.

Worcester Woogle: Could it become a reality?

Remember when Google, earlier this year, announced that it wanted to offer Google Fiber to towns and cities around the United States?

Worcester even got in on the act with the creation of Worcester Woogle by Brendan Melican & Scott Zoback. 

Well, I noticed that Google Fiber got a step closer to becoming a reality with the announcement of the launch of the Google Fiber for Communities website.

The website is full of information, a FAQ and some suggestions for taking action.  Also listed is the 33 towns and cities in Massachusetts that have requested more information on Google Fiber.

I think it's just a matter of time before we hear announcement of the first community to get Google Fiber.(I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hope Worcester gets the nod.)

The YMCA: Rebranding Out of Focus

A YMCA, which I experienced visiting, for the first time in New York City in 1984, has always been a cool place to exercise, swim and play basketball.  Since then, I've visited my share of YMCA facilities and the focus has always been on the people that come in day in and day out and the relationships that people established with one another.

So, while reading that the YMCA is 'rebranding' itself is somewhat of a surprise to me.  With a name change to simply "The Y", which many people have been calling it for years, and to focus on "Youth Development, Healthy Living  & Social Responsibility".

Since I'm in the business of "branding" it's odd for me to see a company, that has been called "The Y" and whose current mission is to help people live better, healthier lives attempt to circle the wagons and market itself as something that it already stands for and already does.

While it may seem easy to make changes on paper, the true cost of branding is very expensive: new printed materials have to be created, new t-shirts and apparel created, signage outside and inside the buildings, and updating of websites with new logos, information, etc..

Kate Coleman, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of YMCA of the USA, said the rebranding is aimed at simplifying the Y's focus.

“We are simplifying how we describe the programs we offer so that it is immediately apparent that everything we do is designed to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve health and well-being, and support our neighbors and the larger community,” she said in a prepared statement.

The new logo is a stylized letter Y with a chevron and orange triangle, and small letters YMCA along the bottom.

“The new logo's bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y's commitment to personal and social progress,” the organization said. The Y's former logo had been in place since 1967 and was the organization's sixth since its inception.

Richard D. Palmer, executive director of the Montachusett Regional YMCA in Fitchburg, said the name and logo change will help simplify the organization's marketing.

I'm glad the folks that are part of the rebranding are optimistic, and I wouldn't expect otherwise, but I don't think many visitors or members are going to care about the new signage or the changed logo whn they walk into the Greendale "Y" or any other "Y" in the United States.  Maybe it's time for them to get a big name celebrity to pitch the changes? (Don't do it.  Those times are long gone and the "Y" can better spend its money. I know this.)

Melting Pot: Not just a Milford dilemma

When a person is faced with a dilemma, there are usually two solutions, but in the case involving illegal immigration the solution isn't so easily found.

Worcester has it's share of illegal immigrants who've made the City their home- looking for a better life and better opportunities- but they face a City that is both welcoming and not-so all at the same time.

I've been at Lowe's on Lincoln Street and noticed the fleet of "laddered trucks" of men looking for work or I've been on Main South and seen similar trucks.  I wonder if people are aware of them or if they even care what they're doing there? 

While these men are trying to work to provide for their family, there are folks that purposely 'prey' on them because they know they're here illegally and thus their voices aren't heard.  They suffer in silence, similar to a person who is in an abusive relationship and doesn't know how to "get out".

In the town of Milford, they are dealing with similar issues involving immigrants from South America. 

With the upcoming elections in November, the issue is taking center stage with the challengers Charles Baker(Republican) and Timothy Cahill (Independent) backing the Senate proposal while Governor Patrick signed-off on a budget that formalizes procedures and puts some standard operating procedures in place.  Governor Patrick, the incumbent, is catching some heat from folks because many believe he has been "soft" when it comes to enforcing the Legislature's budget on public benefits.

Again, the solutions to this dilemma are not easily found and the debate is only going to reach a fevered pitch in the coming months as we get closer to election day- November 2, 2010.  Another dilemma-filled day for some people.

LeBronmania is over....Thank you!

Now that LeBron James has announced that he's taking his basketball skills to South Beach to play for the Miami Heat, we can get back to 'regular' sports news.

My homie, Ree, a cartoonist from California, has been drawing and putting out some funny comic strips geared towards sneakerheads.

This particular one is too funny not to share with the WIM community!

The Consequence

Listen to Me!

In reading this article about Dariusz Nurzynsk, who was stabbed last night by two teenagers near Seymour Street, I couldn't help but look at this picture and shake my head.

I  guess Karol Wojtowicz, who's originally from Poland and visiting his family on vacation, wasn't sure what the officer was saying and the Office made it a point to make Karol got the point.