Jacksonville Tourism?
Jacksonville may not be perceived as the most touristic city in Florida. It doesn’t have the appeal of giant theme parks or the pull of the well-known Keys, but therein lies the potential. Jacksonville is less crowded than many of the ‘hot spots’ in Florida. When people road-trip to Florida, Jacksonville is potentially the first Florida city they drive through, but this city is more than just a pit-stop on the way to theme parks. Jacksonville has so many unique traits that other cities in the United States cannot boast.
I have fallen in love with this city over the past few years and I have no desire to leave anytime soon. One of the most prominent things that attracts me to Jacksonville is the food. Jacksonville has so many great local restaurants. When my friend vacationed here we were able to try a new place every night. We were never bored; there is something in this city for everyone.
There is so much potential for Jacksonville to grow and attract more people. Jacksonville is home to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Although they may not have the greatest record, they can soon boast that their stadium has the two largest end zone score boards in the world. The reputation of the team has only increased since Shahid Khan has purchased the team. The Players Championship also takes place in Jacksonville. Many people come to see the championship, but there is no reason why they shouldn’t stay for the city.
Jacksonville has beautiful beaches that don’t get overly crowded. It is within driving distance of St. Augustine, the oldest city in America, as well as Cape Canaveral, where people can explore the history of space exploration. On top of that, Jacksonville boasts a zoo, several museums, various concert venues, many sports teams, beautiful parks and golf courses, and numerous festivals.
If Jacksonville increases awareness of all the exciting things happening in this city, there is no reason Jacksonville can’t become a top destination for Florida tourists.
Mad Men Marketing 2014 NFL Mock Draft
1. Houston Texans – Jadeveon Clowney (DE South Carolina) For some reason, everyone seems to think that Houston really wants to go QB here. Quarterback IS the most important position on the field, but none of the quarterbacks in this year's class are worthy of the #1 overall pick. For that reason, how can you possibly pass up the opportunity to pair JJ Watt with Jadeveon Clowney. This is a total no-brainer. All of the other rumblings HAVE to be smoke and mirrors.
Jadeveon Clowney
2. St. Louis Rams – Sammy Watkins (WR Clemson) I think this is the last year Sam Bradford gets to legitimately make things work. Adding Watkins to a receiving corps that already has Tavon Austin could really open up the passing game. Ultimately I think the Rams trade this pick and get a tackle. There are a lot of people that would like to leapfrog the Jaguars if they suspect they'd take a QB.
Greg Robinson
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Khalil Mack (LB/DE Buffalo) Ideally, the Jags would have loved it if Clowney fell into their laps, but Mack is one heck of a consolation prize. In fact, he may turn out to be the better pro in my opinion, (no one has questioned his effort) and his measureables are off the charts for a defensive end/rush linebacker. Think Von Miller with better size.
Blake Bortles
4. Cleveland Browns – Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M) I think Cleveland is the perfect place for Manziel to BEGIN his career. Cleveland could use some positive exposure and that's precisely what they'll get as long as Manziel can keep his nose clean off the field. This is more than a PR move, however, Manziel can definitely sling the ball downfield, and he's the best I've ever seen at rolling right and throwing the ball across his body to the left to find the open receiver (a lot of scouts would say this is ill-advised). I don't think he's a running QB; I think he runs to throw and he should have a top-tier target in Cleveland when he arrives. He's close friends with Lebron James and Lebron had a decent start to his career in Cleveland.
Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills)
5. Oakland Raiders – Blake Bortles (QB UCF) I think this pick has the potential to be traded, not to the degree that the #2 pick does, but I wouldn't be surprised if Oakland traded back. Matt Schaub will be 33 before the season starts, so he's not the future. Pryor got traded to Seattle for a pittance. I think the raiders let Bortles learn a couple of years behind Schaub and make the first intelligent move they have in a long time. Bortles has the body and the poise to excel. Sadly, he doesn't have the name (seriously, say it 3 times and see if it sounds like a Pro Bowler to you) and I know that sounds silly, but it's the vibe I get and it's my mock draft, not yours.
Khalil Mack
6. Atlanta Falcons – Greg Robinson (OT Auburn) It's an absolute tragedy that Atlanta is even drafting this low. I know they need a pass rusher, but they might be able to snag another Auburn player a little later for that specific purpose (MAYBE). Robinson is an absolute mauler at tackle and could help anchor an offensive line that protects one of my favorite passers, Matt Ryan. With proper coaching and improved footwork, Robinson could be a perennial Pro Bowler.
Jake Matthews
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jake Matthews (OT Texas A&M) Safe and smart. A trade could be possible here, with Tampa moving back.
Mike Evans
8. Minnesota Vikings – Derek Carr (QB Fresno State) Christian Ponder is a model of mediocrity and his uppance has come. Carr has the fastest release I've seen in this year's QB class.
Justin Gilbert (Cleveland Browns)
9. Buffalo Bills – Mike Evans (WR Texas A&M) Stevie Johnson has lost a step and EJ Manuel needs a legitimate #1 option
Anthony Barr (Minnesota Vikings)
10. Detroit Lions – Darqueze Dennard (CB Michigan State) People have been mocking CBs to Detroit forever. Maybe someday they'll draft one. Dennard has the ability to turn picks into points each time he snatches a pass out of the air.
Eric Ebron
11. Tennessee Titans – Justin Gilbert (CB Oklahoma State) Gilbert and Dennard are kind of like #1 and #1A CBs. A lot of people have Gilbert mocked ahead of Dennard.
Taylor Lewan
12. New York Giants – Eric Ebron (TE UNC) Quick! Name your favorite New York Giants tight end moment…….NOTHIN'. Ebron can change all that.
Odell Beckham Jr.
13. St. Louis Rams – Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S Alabama) The Rams haven't had a dominant safety since Aeneas Williams. Dix is a physical guy who could really get the secondary going.
Aaron Donald
14. Chicago Bears – Taylor Lewan (OT Michigan) There has been a revolving door along the front five. Lewan has the size and the pedigree to anchor the line.
Kyle Fuller
15. Pittsburgh Steelers – Louis Nix (DT Notre Dame) This big tackle has the girth and power that have become a hallmark of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense over the years.
Ryan Shazier
16. Dallas Cowboys – Kony Ealy (DE Missouri) Ealy could definitely go earlier than this. He has a lot of upside and a high motor. It's a shame the Cowboys have a huge hole to fill with Ware's departure.
Zack Martin
17. Baltimore Ravens – Calvin Pryor (S Louisville) It seems the Ravens are constantly reimagining their secondary. The front 7 are amazing, but this is where their focus should be.
C.J. Mosley
18. New York Jets – Brandin Cooks (WR Oregon State) Think Santana Moss in his prime when you think of Brandin Cooks ceiling. Could be a game-changer like Desean Jackson.
Calvin Pryor
19. Miami Dolphins – CJ Mosley (LB Alabama) Remember when Zach Tomas was wreaking havoc at Middle Linebacker in Miami. Mosley could be the guy that leads the league in tackles as a ROOKIE.
Ja'Wuan James
20. Arizona Cardinals – Teddy Bridgewater (QB Louisville) Most don't have Bridgewater falling this far, and if he does, some teams will probably be salivating over a potential trade. This would be a great fit and Teddy would remain a Cardinal.
Brandin Cooks (New Orleans Saints)
21. Green Bay Packers – Aaron Donald (DT Pittsburgh) This guy has been climbing draft boards and if that holds true, he will be drafted as high as 10.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
22. Philadelphia Eagles – Kelvin Benjamin (WR Florida State) This would help ease the pain of losing Jackson and would give the Eagles another red zone threat next to Riley Cooper.
Johnny Manziel (Cleveland Browns)
23. Kansas City Chiefs – Zack Martin (OT Notre Dame) With the losses along the line and the addition of Fisher, this could give the Chiefs two young bookend tackles.
Dee Ford
24. Cincinnati Bengals – Dee Ford (DE Auburn) POTENTIALLY the best DE in the draft. Played against top tier competition and knows how to really bring it.
Darqueze Dennard
25. San Diego Chargers – Kyle Fuller (CB Virginia Tech) Not incredibly confident about this pick, but the Chargers need help on defense, badly.
Jason Verrett
26. Cleveland Browns – Odell Beckham (WR LSU) It seems like a foregone conclusion that the Browns will be selecting a QB/WR tandem to team up with their amazing WR.
Marcus Smith (Philadelphia Eagles)
27. New Orleans Saints – Marqise Lee (WR USC) Make no mistake, Lee is a playmaker and the Saints have had the same stable of receivers FOREVER!
Deone Bucannon (Arizona Cardinals)
28. Carolina Panthers – Davante Adams (WR Fresno State) With the departure of virtually every legitimate receiver, a target for Cam Newton has to be a top priority.
Kelvin Benjamin
29. New England Patriots – Tim Jernigan (NT Florida State) No Vince Wilfork makes this an easy selection.
Dominique Easley
30. San Francisco 49ers – Anthony Barr (LB/DE UCLA) The 49ers have the luxury of drafting based on potential. Barr is a pass rusher that used to be a runningback. Think Brandon Jacobs with more speed.
Jimmie Ward
31. Denver Broncos – Jason Verrett (CB TCU) I, personally, like Verrett better than Fuller, but think he'll be perfect in Denver.
Bradley Roby
32. Seattle Seahawks – Ryan Shazier (LB Ohio State) I would be a LITTLE surprised if Shazier were still here, but if he is, he may not be for long.
Teddy Bridgewater (Minnesota Vikings)
The Less You Do….The More You DO
As I perused AdAge this morning, I stumbled upon a lengthy article about Eat24 parting ways with the “social” giant. I must say that Eat24 made some very valid points. Facebook has been acquiring a wide array of social media companies as well as some more questionable acquisitions in the form of Oculis Rift, a VR gaming company. The push for monetization on Facebook's end has been maddening. The downward spiral seemingly stemmed from its IPO some time ago. Since then, a myriad of questionable decisions and frivelous spending have plagued the once mighty social giant.
Eat24 wrote “We made mistakes too. We actually paid for some of those annoying promoted posts. You were all like, 'Dude, you gotta try out promoted posts, It'll help you make more friends and then more people can enjoy your LOLZ.' So we tried it because we loved you. Also, YOLO… And it's true, we got a ton of new likes on our page. Look at all these new friends, we thought. There's a guy in Houston, and this guy in… Bangladesh? And this girl in… Dubai? WTF Facebook!?… Right now we're only in the U.S., so even though we love our new international friends, we'd prefer not to piss them off by showing them a photo of a delicious calzone that they can't even order.”
While this was hilarious, it was also frighteningly true. You couldn't hit the nail on the head any better, unless you were to read further….
“But the bigger picture issue is that we can't trust you. You lied to us and said you were a social network but you're totally not a social network. At least not anymore… Why should we have to wade through a dozen promoted posts about how to lose belly fat (are you trying to tell us something?) and requests for Candy Crush (NO! Just no.) and suggesting we like our arch nemesis' page (seriously, WTF) before we can finally find the perfect Doge meme? It really seems like you've lost your way and have become nothing more than an ad platform.”
As someone who must delve into the social realm on a daily basis, sometimes against my better judgment, I can completely understand. So why do we stay active on Facebook. Simply put, it's the perceived lack of alternatives. I WILL, however, step out on a limb and vouch for the legitimacy of Google Plus. Not only can you network with anyone regardless of whether you originally knew them or not, but you can receive feeds from people that you actually want to hear from and organize your contacts into endless sub-groups. This past week, I even played trivia in real-time via Google Plus Hangout's Sporcle app.
What's more is that Facebook is constantly changing their user interface as well as the frequency with which organic reach for small businesses occurs. Change happens far too often and sometimes things are best left alone.
End of rant.
More Platform Jumping Than Ezio Auditore
What this means is that if you were to view an advertisement on your laptop, in theory, the same ad would appear on your smartphone or tablet. This would be absolutely HUGE if it works as anticipated. Currently, this is in a sort of beta phase, with large agencies with high traffic testing this nouveau hashtagging system. If this works, this could be a boon to the advertising community at-large. Digital marketing has already grown leaps and bounds due in large part to the ability to view and track analytics and hypertarget demographic groups. This has the potential to usher in a new era within the purview of the digital marketing age, and with streaming television services becoming more and more the norm, how long will it be before digital supplants traditional media as the dominant medium for advertising? Food for thought….
Marketing to Millennials: Are you sure you want to?
Is this push short-sighted? There's not a doubt in my mind that what is perceived as trendy, fashionable, or “in” is influenced largely upon the opinions of the younger generation. That being said, Millennials are one of the smaller demo. groups. Not only that, but they also have much less buying power than young professionals and established businessmen and women. Jean Twenge, author of the book Generation Me, credits Millennials with possessing the traits of confidence and tolerance, however, they also exude a certain narcissism and self-entitlement.
Should you market to Millennials? Yes…but as a part of a broader, more holistic approach…perhaps to paint a picture of a product as being trendy that will ultimately have a trickle-down effect on older, more affluent demos.