New York City

Subscribe to New York City via RSS

In 2004 – the inaugural year of the industry’s biggest event, Advertising Week – Facebook was launched as a social networking site open only to Harvard students.  Now ten years old, Advertising Week – like social media – has seen many changes and, more importantly, has shaped critical conversations driving change in the advertising industry in the past decade.  Advertising Week now has its very own app, not to mention too many hashtags to count.  With dialogue and events on the most important topics in the industry, featuring many of the industry’s biggest innovators, movers, and shakers, Advertising Week is the most important week of the year for everyone on Madison Ave and beyond.

The Way I See It

  • I see an event that has grown vastly in the past ten years, mirroring the growth and innovation that the industry has achieved, to present hundreds of events, discussions, panels, and live case studies  on advertising’s most important issues.
  • I see a week of creativity and innovation that is truly unmatched.  With some of the brightest minds in an industry that is notorious for driving change faster than you can say, “Advertising Week is a hotbed for big ideas.”
  • For Advertising Week’s tenth year, programming is right on point for what will shape advertising moving forward, with mobile, data, video, and innovation tracks.  With a session called “Will Robots Ever Cut Your Bangs,” it’s safe to say that Advertising Week is looking toward the future.
  • I see the industry’s biggest leaders gathering in New York City to share and discuss the latest ideas, creations, and technology that are shaping the future of the industry.

The Way The Industry Sees It

I sat down with Matt Freeman, the Chairman of Advertising Week and Operating Partner at Bain Capital, to discuss all the details of Advertising Week’s tenth year.

It’s hard to believe Advertising Week is in its tenth year.  The industry has experienced a lot of change in this past decade – the advent of smartphones, Twitter, and YouTube, to name a few.  How do you think this year will differ from others in terms of programming and topics?

Data has truly become a central player in marketing – as is reflected in the strong presence of technology and analytic companies this week. The ability to use data to unify and optimize a brand’s connection to consumers – increasingly in real time – may be the most dynamic sector of marketing today, and it is changing all facets of the business. This data trend not only makes for exciting new capabilities, but also for a more diverse set of talents and conversations – ultimately a great strength for our industry.  Also, Pamela Anderson will be doing a Q&A. So, to summarize: data and Pam Anderson.

What role do you think this week plays in the industry?

Advertising Week is a unique chance for our industry to come together each year for both celebration and (even more importantly) advancement.  Our business is replete with award shows, but Advertising Week is a chance to celebrate the best and brightest aspects of marketing in the interest of education and advancement.  From promoting diversity to attracting and developing young professionals, the week is fundamentally centered on the long term health of advertising – in turn, a vital driver of our economy.

Continue Reading A Decade of Advertising Week

We’ve all dreamed of traveling to exotic locales, living like locals halfway around the world, or taking that long-discussed epic road trip across the good ol’ U.S.A.  When it comes down to it, travel is a luxury, and in the recent economic downturn, budget-friendly trips have been the ones most frequented.  As the economy picks up and a new generation of eager travelers matures, we’re noticing a revived investment in local business growth initiatives and tourism advertising and marketing budgets for cities across the country and around the world.

The Way I See It

  • Stateside, cities are reinvigorating their taglines, investing in digital and social media advertising as opposed to the traditional, often-cheesy commercials, and encouraging visitors to try hidden spots, embrace local traditions, and support local businesses.
  • I see states and cities trying to draw business and economic development in order to grow tourism and business travel.  Everyone wants to get in on the start-up boom, and initiatives like New York’s “We are Made in NY” campaign, which now covers the sides of buses across the city, is aiming to revive Silicon Alley and draw more startups to the city with incentives like subsidized office space and grants, and increased resources and support from the community.
  • I see states and cities around the country opting for local creativity rather than relying entirely on national agencies.  Colorado is the latest with its announced of a “Making Colorado” initiative which will bring together advertising and marketing professionals from the state and also rely heavily on an online forum for feedback from residents on new ideas.

The Way The Industry Sees It

I sat down with Edward Hogikyan, Senior Vice President, Marketing, of NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing, tourism, and partnership organization, to discuss advertising and marketing strategies used by cities to attract tourists and boost local economies.

Let’s talk a bit about the recent revival of local business growth and tourism initiatives in cities like New York.  How has the general approach in NYC to drawing tourism changed in recent years?

New York City itself is constantly changing.  If you were here six months ago, there are now new things to see and experience, places to dine, exhibitions, shopping, or even new places to stay.  Reminding people of that is important in keeping NYC top of mind as a destination and core to our messaging.  There are also new segments to focus messaging on, such as families – they have been a priority for us.  Over 15 million families came in 2012, a nearly 3% increase over 2011.  NYC is the top U.S. destination for gay travelers and the passage of the same-sex marriage bill, combined with the recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage, has afforded us a new way to message to the LGBT community.  The youth travel market continues to grow, and they are often more intrepid about exploring parts of the city that are outside the typical tourist destinations.  International markets have also been shifting dramatically.  The exponential growth in visitation from China and Brazil, for example, has resulted in a significant influx of cash into the city’s economy as both markets are comprised of serious shoppers.

Considering a city as a brand, how do cities typically measure Return on Investment (ROI) and success, especially with the tie-in to local businesses and growth?

There are several different metrics for success that we use.  One, of course, is total visitation.  In 2012, NYC reached a record 52 million visitors, up from 43.8 million in 2006 when our current organization was created.  We are also the top U.S. destination, with a 33% share of international visitation (the second highest in the country is at 11%).  Next we look at jobs and the economic impact of visitation.  In 2012, we had a record $55.3 billion in economic impact.  There are 356,000 jobs currently supported by the leisure and hospitality industry.  By 2015, we are projecting $70 billion in economic impact and 390,000 new jobs.  Other key indicators include hotel room occupancy and the Average Daily Rate paid for those rooms, and attendance at Broadway and other cultural attractions.

Continue Reading Calling All Travelers: Advertising Cities as Brands