OKC's Impressive New Marketing Campaign

[Conan71]

They do have a nice trail and recreation area around their urban lake, Lake Hefner.  However, the drought cycle we are in as let to it being at historic lows.  The lake is also OKC's water source.  They've begun water rationing as a result.

Ever driven around there when all the sailboats are laying on their side on the dried up mud?  Pretty sad.

I've ridden it, and it feels more dense and crowded, especially on the east side than Tulsa's Rivertrails, it's a fairly short loop at about 9 miles.  It also doesn't really connect anything like Tulsa's trails going all the way to Sand Springs, Skiatook, or NSU in BA.  Though you can make a good ride by riding either from Hefner to Overholser or vice versa.  Draper is actually a better and somewhat safer ride.  The perimeter road loop is about 14 miles.  Venturing off onto the rural roads nearby you can do a 20+ mile loop with very little traffic.

[heironymouspasparagus]

I will tell ya what that video was.  That was someone with some brains and talent (or perhaps luck), hiring someone with a lot of talent and brains.  

I could make a video of Tulsa that would blow you away.  

That video, I give it about an 85-90 grade.  We are just so used to crap that we can be almost surprised when someone does something decently well.

Last Tulsa video promo I saw made me cringe, it was a worthless, rapid paced barrage of images that even the most die hard Tulsan, intimately familiar with what's in Tulsa, would have a hard time telling you what you just saw. Anyone else in the country would have been left with the impression, "What the heck was that?", at best.

Kudos to OKC

Now, I am a Tulsa cheerleader and do think we have a lot going for us, a lot of nice new things that have recently wrapped up and that are in the works (thank goodness for Mr Kaiser or I would be hesitant to say even that).  But, we seem to be lacking in vision, talent, brains and gusto at the top.

A while back I was in OKC for a fundraising event.  Granted it could have just been the company I was with and the particular crowd at the fundraiser... but there really was a different feeling in the air that was different than what I have run into in Tulsa.  Very professional, full of positive energy, dare I say "classy", a go get em big city vibe.  But, again perhaps I have just missed running into that crowd here?  I am trying to be part of that crowd or at least trying to not only point out faults but be someone trying to make a difference.  I am "told" I am a talented artist and often get told that I would make a lot more money elsewhere and people wonder why I am here.  But I choose to stay here, well, because so many talented people do leave and it hurts Tulsa, and I want to see Tulsa succeed. Not enough things to see or do? Lacking in things like museums (and we do rank low compared to other cities our size)... well, it may not be much yet, but gosh danged it I have at least STARTED a museum lol. And we will get there.  Working with the folks in the Deco District to start a fall festival downtown (may hear more on that down the road). Now I am trying to open a retail shop downtown and turn an eyesore into something positive.  etc.  But I am a nobody. I am a little guy living in a working class neighborhood driving a small, beat up, old Ford truck, struggling to pay the bills.  But sometimes I look at the people in power who have much more influence and ability to make positive changes than I do and wonder "WHAT THE FRACK! ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING!"  For every step forward, and we are making many, there seem to be an equal number of steps back or roadblocks thrown in the way.  It's like we are having to make strides "in spite of" the local government, rather than them being as talented and visionary and walking hand in hand with others who are as well.    

OKC video 85-90 grade....YOU on the other hand get a 100 and a gold star!  Absolutely dead on!  If I had the money, I would pay you to go do that Tulsa version you mentioned!  (Maybe we could start a fundraising here...?)

As for the people you met, I suspect we have similar ones here - I think I have met a few.  And I have met plenty in OKC that don't have all that positive energy.  The entire spectrum exists in both towns, I suspect.

But they also have Sally Kern.  That coupled with a nationwide reputation as a state will lead to a certain amount of "dismissal" of the message in that film after the first "glow" fades.   Like where we stand in education.  And healthcare - at the bottom with Mississippi.  Roads...we definitely have a national reputation there!

These are exactly the kind of things the people OKC (and Tulsa!) wants to attract are gonna look at first!  And that kind of people, when already here, are too often leaving because of those issues and others. 

That video will get someone's attention, as would a good one for Tulsa, but when they start looking deeper, there are other things that are considered to "close the deal".

Would love to see what you would do with that video thing!  I got a pretty decent camera that takes good video - know anyone with a helicopter we could "borrow"??  Or an airplane for some 'riding around time' ?? 



Now, for something completely different - a friend has a new car (Hyundai) that has Braille on the steering wheel control buttons for windows and radio!!      Think about that for a few seconds.....   I wonder if it is in Korean?

[AquaMan]

Kern? Fallin?

We have Bridenstein, Mullin, Ihofe, Coburn and Ritze. Its a draw there.

Its our culture in Tulsa boys and girls. I spoke to a young high school kid the other day and threw in a little French phrase because I had it in grade school through high school and love the language. My youngest has taken Spanish since middle school and my oldest took German all the way through college. It gives you some perspective and the "class" of which Artist speaks.The young person told me that she had wanted to learn French but her mother forbade it, telling her, "I don't want you to learn other languages because if people from other country's come here they need to learn our language or leave". That's a classic mix up of politics and education. The same way those listed above mix up their politics, science, business and religion. It starts with the education and we don't seem to be progressing there. In spite of some notable exceptions, its private school or go fish here.

Any marketing of Tulsa has to rigorously separate its marketing from that culture and expect to spend a lot of time defending doing so.

[carltonplace]

Kern? Fallin?

We have Bridenstein, Mullin, Ihofe, Coburn and Ritze. Its a draw there.

Its our culture in Tulsa boys and girls. I spoke to a young high school kid the other day and threw in a little French phrase because I had it in grade school through high school and love the language. My youngest has taken Spanish since middle school and my oldest took German all the way through college. It gives you some perspective and the "class" of which Artist speaks.The young person told me that she had wanted to learn French but her mother forbade it, telling her, "I don't want you to learn other languages because if people from other country's come here they need to learn our language or leave". That's a classic mix up of politics and education. The same way those listed above mix up their politics, science, business and religion. It starts with the education and we don't seem to be progressing there. In spite of some notable exceptions, its private school or go fish here.

Any marketing of Tulsa has to rigorously separate its marketing from that culture and expect to spend a lot of time defending doing so.

Sad. Too bad she is learning foreigner words in spite of her Mother's commands. Au contraire, she uses french every time she orders ala mode or ala carte or is blase about au gratin.

[AquaMan]

Or if she buys her Chic jeans at a boutique, goes to the prom(enade) with her corsage, in her boyfriend's Chevrolet coupe, (maybe a Corvette, maybe a Grand Prix) and toasts their graduation with a bit of champagne. Then they could have some American Fries to go.....

[carltonplace]

That is so bougie (Aspiring to be a higher class than one is. Derived from bourgeois )

[AquaMan]

I have enjoyed this little tete a tete.

Tulsa has much to offer but you have to parse out just what we offer and for who. I thought OKC's promo did that. We have yet to come to grips with the reality that a small group of people are "classy" here. Terrible word anyway. But think of it this way, once you subtract out those with 2 years or more post high school education or specialized technical training (not to mention the quality of that education), families with large inheritances, foundations, oil wealth,  under 18, over 65, there isn't much left in Tulsa. Our geographic size, our single purpose politics and regional demographics limit us in many respects... imo.

[Townsend]

I have enjoyed this little tete a tete.

Nénés

[Conan71]

I have enjoyed this little tete a tete.

Tulsa has much to offer but you have to parse out just what we offer and for who. I thought OKC's promo did that. We have yet to come to grips with the reality that a small group of people are "classy" here. Terrible word anyway. But think of it this way, once you subtract out those with 2 years or more post high school education or specialized technical training (not to mention the quality of that education), families with large inheritances, foundations, oil wealth,  under 18, over 65, there isn't much left in Tulsa. Our geographic size, our single purpose politics and regional demographics limit us in many respects... imo.

Putain de merde!  That's a depressing paradigm.

[AquaMan]

Zoot alor! I am too lazy to find the right stroke on the keyboard.

Yes, Conan, fortunately not everyone shares my view.

[cannon_fodder]

1) I am on the trails a lot, very rare to see dog poop.  Haters hate.

2) Great ad by OKC.   OKC has for nearly 25 years now had their wagons circles and concentrated on making the city something.  Tulsa, and the greater Tulsa community, fights for scraps from each other.  There are many reasons for this:

OKC has major government money (FAA, Air Force, State, Fed, IRS, OU, etc.).  Major intersection of freeways (with no toll access).  Centrally located downtown.  Clear central City with clear suburbs (OKC in the center, Edmond as growing city/suburb, others as just a suburb, Norman as the college town + suburb).  Perhaps more importantly, OKC has NEW MONEY.

Tulsa, on the other hand, has very few government jobs per capita (government jobs are more secure, highier paying, and draw money in to the local economy as opposed to circulating it).  We have a single interstate that is tolls both ways and limited north/south access.  Our downtown was crippled by the Osage lands and is not central.  We fight with our neighboring cities in many respects and with ourselves more frequently - trying to be both the hub and the suburbs.  We have the University of Tulsa... but also Rogers State, NSU, OSU, OU and NSU all offering partial degree programs.  AND... we have OLD MONEY. 

Not THE cause, but I think a huge portion of our problem is that we have a perception that we WERE great.  Our city DID generate great wealth.  We DID build great institutions, buildings, and infrastructure.  That is reinforced by old money that has already left their mark and has already set up a system in which they are royalty.  While they still contribute greatly to Tulsa, they are not generate new wealth at the pace they did in the heyday and their ambition to leave a mark or develope Tulsa to be something great is dimished - and we lost much of our old money resources (Citgo, Sinclair, Skelly/Standard Oil, etc.).  Whenever Tulsa starts finding new money it dies (Worldcom, CFS, City Services, SemGroup).  So we generally elect leadership from the old gaurd who ally themselves with the established order and we get the status quo of moderate improvement.  But if we are improving at a slower pace than others we are falling beyond and the perception is we are not improving at all.

Sorry for the ramble/rant, but it is frustrating.  Tulsa has so much more going for it than OKC:

higher per capita wage
access to real lakes
an actual river
the navigation channel
trees and terrain
a huge industrial base
a historic core in oil and aviation
a nice skyline
a good local/regional highway system
Museums and institutions that are NOT simply vassals of the State of Oklahoma or the Federal Government
a music scene and a history of music
diversity (Indian community, black community, gay community... all strong in Tulsa)
architecture
More than a few neighborhoods or areas of the city with character and charm

But again, those assets are mostly legacies.  Things we have going for us that for whatever reason we can't get our sh!t together and use in our favor.  Instead of concentrating on really exploiting those assets we have been competing to draw in "jobs."  In some constructive ways; but mostly in a race to the bottom with tax incentives, a cheap labor force, lax zoning, etc.  Conentrating on jobs is what every other 3rd tier city is doing (and the entire state of Texas) - and companies are exploiting us to make the most money (rightly so from the companies perspective).

But Tulsa will never again proposer like we once did if we try to compete in a race to the bottom.  Trying to be as "business friendly" as possible draws in jobs, but also explains why we rank so high in jobs below the poverty level (OKC does too, the entire state does poorly).  NO!  Make Tulsa a place where people want to live.  Just retain the young, talented, educated, or creative people and we will be just fine.  Start drawing them in and we take off.  A lot goes into that:  an urban landscape, education opportunities, reasonable laws and regulations, and a business environment with sensible laws that encourage entreprenurship as well as business growth - while NOT castrating workers or sacrificing all revenue or regualtion.  It's a tough balance, but if many other places can figure it out so can we (it is much harder if we have 3 or 4 agencies doing every job.  Come on small government people!).

If we do that and create an environment where business are allowed to thrive (sensible regulation, zoning, small business association, etc.) and we dominate the region.  Portland, Minneapolis, Boulder, Seattle – they didn't become hubs of commerce and the envy of many a city by racing to the bottom.  They made destinations exploiting what they had to draw people in.  People want to live there, those people either start companies or employers want to hire them and move in.

We have things going for us.  Let's emphasize them, use them, and allow them to grow.  If that starts with a good ad, great!

/incoherent frustrated rant

[AquaMan]

Not an incoherent rant at all. In fact pretty astute for someone not reared here.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Ditto.  What AquaMan said....

[rdj]

Not an incoherent rant at all. In fact pretty astute for someone not reared here.

Sometimes those of us that aren't reared here have a better perspective and appreciation of what Tulsa has to offer than those that were.

When I first moved here about ten years ago I was amazed at how poorly the city was viewed by the people I met.

Tulsa has a real self esteem problem.  OKC did as well.  The bombing was a great start to improving that, the Thunder has increased it exponentially.

[sauerkraut]

I watched "Modern Marvels" about the making of the St. Louis Arch, they told how the city of St Louis got "branded" The city was always known for being the "gateway to the west", so in 1947 the city offered any professional designer $125,000 to come up with a structure to be built on the St Louis  Riverfront. The arch project won out and today St Louis and the arch go together. St Louis has pictures of the arch on coffee mugs to post cards to motel names. Tulsa needs to find what it's known for and IMO it's Oil, Gas and Power- so Tulsa should work to build a structure that highlights that industry. That could be a giant oil rig with a musium and things like that. Seattle got the Space Needle I dunno the history behind that one. If Tulsa can do something big with this brand thing  we can beat OKC. BTW I just read in the TulsaWorld that OKC's airport is overtaking Tulsa's airport- big time.. Some flights are just going to OKC.