Making a City Sexy

The cities in the United States are struggling. And rightfully so, they haven't done anything recently to deserve praise of any kind. Business hasn't been sexy in years. And once this downturn has declared "over", people expect everything to just bounce back?

No, no, I do not think so my friend.

We have to make business, and small business in cities specifically, sexy again.

How? It's all about branding. Cities need branding too, you know.

Back in the day, three cities did branding better than anybody else. And because of that foundation being built, those cities are what they are today:

1. New York City
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles

Also, with my being in Charlotte, I hope you use the methods I believe helped those three cities huge in an effort to take Charlotte to new heights.

Entertainment:

From Sex in the City, Mad Men, NYPD Blue, Warner Bros, to the start of Hollywood, films, theater, and the arts, those three cities pulled in the eyes and ears of the American people. If you wanted to see a edgy musical or theater production, you went to New York. If you wanted to see the hungriest actors and actresses trying to get on the big screen, you waited to hear who was coming out of LA. If theater or film didn't tickle your fancy, you went to the Windy City to see what dance companies were taking over the Midwest.

Lights, cameras, press and plenty of action. The American public loves buzz. It always has. Without that kind of buzz, a city will never grow.

Politics:

Other than entertainment and the paparazzi, nothing is sexier in this society than politics. And these cities NAILED it.

Chicago- what city can beat the political machine the Daley administration created? Top notch. The democratic party waited with ears perked to see what and who Daley and his system supported.

NYC- since it was such a big city, it's pull and wealth had no choice but to be influential.

LA- from celebrities becoming politicians, and early in the 20th century when communism and the entertainment seemed to intertwine, the City of Angels became a Center of Attention.

Sexy Business:

Obviously, a city won't grow unless there's business and jobs. Entertainment and politics can bring the attention, but business as to keep it going. But it can't be just any kind of business. It has to be the kind of business that can put entertainment and politics together.

For example, New York City pretty much gave birth to the marketing and advertising agencies we know and love today. Without those people creating edgier, hotter, and mass advertisements and campaigns, society would have to entertain themselves.

Without marketing minds, we wouldn't have gotten soap operas, radio stories, infomercials and the like. Without marketing people pushing boundaries, the FCC and FTC would be bored out of their MINDS, and wouldn't have received any media coverage.

Los Angeles, the city that imagined actually selling sex and sex appeal to the public. And the public loved every minute of it.

Chicago basically took over the Midwest. True, St. Louis was a formidable opponent, but as LA and NYC displacements arrived in the Windy City, it soon became quite comfortable in Chicago's shadow.

What Charlotte Needs to Do:

Charlotte is teetering on the edge of greatness and mediocrity. Why?

Big Banking Town: Though they are politically relevant (now more than ever), they are SO boring. Filled with smart talk and corporate speak, the public needs more colorful controversy and dynamic personalities.

Art Deficient: The theaters and performing halls in Charlotte are beautiful, but it atmosphere here is so shallow. One of the oldest venues in Charlotte, the Carolina theatre, is facing demolition because the Preservation Society can't get enough support to renovate it.

Marketing Diluted: Don't get wrong, there are a lot of bright minds here, but the marketing environment here is quite dull. Sure twitter and social media are huge in the Queen City, but there is no agency, group of people here really pushing the envelope.

Film Hungry: As the marketing issue. A lot of talent, but the drive doesn't seem to be there, and for those who want to do something big, the people with the pocket books (your move Charlotte Arts and Science Council) refuse to give them a chance.

Charlotte is beautiful, full of bright people, but as of right now, it is simply not sexy.

Charlotte needs to shift out of its conservative state of mind and push its way to the top. Let's make some noise here people!

Beautiful parks and people and beat a "concrete jungle" any day of the week. Who thinks a concrete jungle is cool, anyway?

Queen City vs. Windy City? What kind of city relies on weather patterns to define itself? At least Charlotte's nickname has historical significance.

And then Silicon Valley. Now I could go on for days, but I'll be gentle. For a city so revel in the fact that most of its citizens can no longer be defined as "100% real" is a mix between hilarious and disappointing.

Charlotte, we can no longer be a "best kept secret". That time is over. Suck it up, loosen up that tie, roll up your sleeves and tell New York, Chicago and Los Angeles that we're coming after them.