Oklahoma City, In the Press

[HOT ROD]

beat me to it, hats off to the airlines. Maybe they'll throw OKC a bone with at least service to all of their hubs (where missing).

[HOT ROD]

I read the United feature and it was great and all but I do have some observations:

- SPOILER ALERT!!!!!! -

1) OKC pics seemed to try to omit Chase Tower
2) Tulsa ads were thrown in all over the place, disturbing the message. Should have had the Tulsa stuff in the Tulsa section.
3) the article seemed to be Tulsa oriented or at least trying to boast Tulsa at the expense of OKC. For example, in the OKC section there were several Tulsa pics and ads (whereas there were NO OKC pics/ads in the Tulsa section). To me this is very tacky and so illustrates the attitude many Tulsans have when OKC is in the spotlight, as in "Hey, remember us - we're pretty and in Oklahoma too. Yeah, OKC 'might' have that but look at us. ...."
4) Fallin highlighted as a positive? ??? ONLY if you consider finally having a female governor IMO.
5) The article was too economic focused, like trying to PROVE something (particularly the incessant Tulsa ads all over the place). Instead, I think the article should have spent time on the human aspects of OKC and Tulsa more (and in their own section). OKC has done great things to make the city liveable but there was only a casual, cavalier mention of this (with a Tulsa ad/pic to boot).
6) There are more impressive pics of OKC's skyline than just the SW facing one (shown twice, in large print). The shot from Bricktown (TNT/NBA famous) is one and the SE facing (from Midtown) is also impressive. Variety is the key.
7) The economic focus was far too Energy. I'm not saying it shouldn't have that much focus, but there was little to no mention of anything else going on in OKC; including corporate relocations, health care/services at the OHC, retail expansion, downtown hospitality expansion, manufacturing expansion, and no mention of the MAPS projects and at least an opinion of how it will impact downtown's future economy or the city's continued renaissance.
8) no construction highlights. OKC has a plethora going on right now but no mention. Tulsa has momentum building but again, no mention.
9) a glance over of the Oklahoma River district. Should have had some details of the master plan and perhaps local reaction to what's already there.
10) there was no finance. I am a finance guy and typically these type of articles need some pie charts/graphs showing the numbers. If the actual nominal data is not as impressive then you could instead focus on margin to help illustrate growth. I believe OKC is not only among the top 5 fastest growing large cities in the US but also its economy expanded by a similar ranking YoY and since 2010. The industry graph was nice but it was sterile and not very informative. Add in a few supporting charts/graphs along with some of the ranking accolades OKC has been receiving as of late and that would have been MUCH MORE impressive.


As a native Oklahoman, I am happy that the city and state is getting exposure like this. Lots of people will have the opportunity to learn more about the OKC economy and Oklahoma as a state (and even see a bit of the Tulsa jealousy thrown in and get confused as I was on the POINT of the article).

However, as a professional I take away that the state has a LONG way before it could compete against others with more punch or more to offer. The STATE needs to get behind OKC as the city has an impressive story and is building world class infrastructure and amenities that should have been highlighted SEPARATELY. Tulsa certainly has a place and should be featured as well (in a state article) but it should be in SUPPORT of OKC and not trying to outshine or out-do it.

Again, even though I am FROM Oklahoma and understand the historical Tulsa arrogance, I tried to read the article with an open mind but still came away that whoever put this together did not really know or understand what's going on in OKC (or just didn't care nor appreciate it) and instead wanted to use OKC's success (for the state) to pimp Tulsa. If we can't do a proper, constructive article featuring the state then I think it is best for OKC to stand on its own in situations like this as it would have been a much better read and would have portrayed the state much better than what was put together for United. My opinion.

[HOT ROD]

SPOILER ALERT II

The American story (and pics) were much better IMO than the United one in that at least the theme was consistent and a person could learn a lot from it. There were no inserts from another city to throw off the point, pics were timely, varied, professional, and appropriate, and there was plenty of local prospective on the city's transformation.

However, there are constructive takeaways even from this article that I'd like to make. First, at some point OKC is going to have to limit or at least shorten its message when describing the creation of MAPS. It is so depressing to keep reading over and over, three or 4 paragraphs about it. IMO it really showcases OKC's lackluster image and some people will stop reading if we continue to chirp along about the past. Can we come up with a one or two paragraph about the 'desolate early 1990s' and leave it at that? Move forward to showcasing the city of today? I mean, that was 25 years ago and OKC needs to convince people - who likely already have that impression of the city - that it has indeed moved on with this, and that, and so on. Norick is great for the history of OKC and schools should have his story about the city as required curriculum, but business people and non-OKC people need to know what the city has to offer now not necessarily focus on what it took to get started. ..

My second point feeds off the first and that is we need to focus more on OKC landmarks. Landmark buildings of significance, landmark institutions of significance, landmark events, landmark proposals, landmark attractions etc. What WoW factor can OKC present to a prospective tourist or businessman reading on an airplane that would convince him/her to give the city a chance look? IMO, Tulsa does this very well with their ads about their museums, shopping, and culture; OKC needs to figure this out and not just the same old "50 legendary attractions" crap. If I had only ONE day in OKC, what should I definitely not miss and now shape that into a simple one page ad (like Tulsa's) which could be used as a baseline and expanded upon if the city gets another article. There needs to be a consistent message other than a boring, uninspiring, stagnating city in the 1990's took a look at itself and other peer cities and said "ENOUGH, let's tax ourselves (even though we're Republican by the way) to bring on large scale civic QoL elements". Again, that is for the history books IMO, we need a story that shows OKC today and the future with a very quick, section appropriate mention about how we started/got there.

IMO, if we incorporate these two ideas, the American article would have been perfect and showcased the city as a hip, happening place that people should give a chance. My advice, OKC leaders/citizens need to shake the inferiority complex regarding the Grapes of Wrath (the original and the early 1990s) and instead focus on the WHAT the incredible renaissance has brought and will continue in the future. Now that's a story to be told and if someone wants the history they can read something ELSE for details of Norick's 'aha moment'.

[bchris02]

I agree, the Tulsa ads were way overdone and do disturb the message. The Tulsa inferiority complex really came across strong and tacky.

It reminds me of the kind of thing I always see on the City-Data forum. Any time a potential re-locator asks a question or has something positive to say about OKC, the resident Tulsa posters come in and rip OKC to shreds and then boost Tulsa. One time recently somebody asked a question about what to do during a weekend stuck in OKC and of course the Tulsa people were saying there is nothing to do in OKC and they should just drive to Tulsa. It really is a strange attitude and arrogance some people have at that end of the turnpike.

[Plutonic Panda]

It's because that place sucks. Was just up there today, go figure, and couldn't wait to leave.

[bchris02]

It's because that place sucks. Was juts up there today, go figure, and couldn't wait to leave.

Don't they have a billboard that says "Tulsa class OKC..." somewhere near their downtown? I could swear I saw it at some point.

[Snowman]

Don't they have a billboard that says "Tulsa class OKC..." somewhere near their downtown? I could swear I saw it at some point.

That seems more like a message scrawled in graffiti, than in an ad someone would pay money for.

[Plutonic Panda]

Don't they have a billboard that says "Tulsa class OKC..." somewhere near their downtown? I could swear I saw it at some point.

I've heard the phrase Tulsa class OKC trash. Didn't know if it was actually posted by legitimate means or not. I'd even be against a billboard in OKC that shamed Tulsa in elementary tactics.

[adaniel]

Read both pieces. Nobody is going to win a Pulitzer Prize here, but otherwise good publicity that tailors well to the target crowd (high end business travelers looking for a quick and interesting read). I hope its the start of better marketing by both the city and the state, which are both lacking IMO.

As far as the United Dossier, I agree the Tulsa ads are kinda overdone and oddly placed, but hey that's how these things make money. The coverage was well balanced between the two cities. I am frankly a bit stunned they mentioned little to nothing about Tinker, the largest employer in the state and one that is in rapid expansion thanks to the KC 135 project. With that in mind, I find it a bit unfair to say Tulsa and the rest of the state should "get behind" OKC. I am much more bullish on the future of OKC, but last time I checked people in Tulsa still pay state taxes. Don't they deserve as much of a shake as we do?

[HOT ROD]

no, because they don't pay as much since OKC is larger and has a larger base. Fact is fact.


Every state has a largest city for a reason and that is for it to prosper and go against other state's (usually their largest city). Again, I'm not talking about OKC vs Tulsa competing as cities, I'm talking about OKLAHOMA promoting itself as a state. OK should lean heavily on OKC since it is rightfully so the state's shining star. It is foolish not to. And was foolish to allow a national audience to see how backwater the state is by allowing Tulsa to pre-empt OKC. This wouldn't happen in any other state that Im aware of; and this 'bush league' stuff must stop.


If OKC and Tulsa are direct competitors as cities, I could see but this was a state article and it should have been 2/3 about OKC and 1/3 about Tulsa since that is how the economy and population lie. Also, OKC is riding a recent wave of accolades nationally so the state should have rode that with this article and gave OKC its due; THEN said, "by the way - we have another amazing city who is also developing, here is what she has to offer that is a little different than OKC but still represents OKLAHOMA."

The whole state needs to start to recognize that OKC is not just a govt city but it is the largest city, economy, and every sector you could name just about; and the state should ride that when it's promoting itself (in urban articles, anyway). It only makes sense when you're trying to compete for economic/urban tourist dollars as was should have been the point of these two articles.

[Plutonic Panda]

+1 x1000

[poe]

I was on a United flight from London to Houston yesterday, and snapped a few picks of the dossier. I thought it was a very positive portrayal of the entire state, with some great information about Oklahoma City. The two people sitting behind me started discussing Oklahoma City, too. One person - a 28 year old guy from Houston, who works in London most of the time, was visiting with his seat mate - a 50-something year old woman who lived in Oklahoma City. I overheard them talking about Devon Tower, Bricktown, the improvements to Will Rogers, and the overall economy of the city and state. It was somewhat surreal to be sitting on a tarmac at Heathrow, overhearing a conversation about Oklahoma. I loved it.

Here's some of the dossier:

[bchris02]

no, because they don't pay as much since OKC is larger and has a larger base. Fact is fact.


Every state has a largest city for a reason and that is for it to prosper and go against other state's (usually their largest city). Again, I'm not talking about OKC vs Tulsa competing as cities, I'm talking about OKLAHOMA promoting itself as a state. OK should lean heavily on OKC since it is rightfully so the state's shining star. It is foolish not to. And was foolish to allow a national audience to see how backwater the state is by allowing Tulsa to pre-empt OKC. This wouldn't happen in any other state that Im aware of; and this 'bush league' stuff must stop.


If OKC and Tulsa are direct competitors as cities, I could see but this was a state article and it should have been 2/3 about OKC and 1/3 about Tulsa since that is how the economy and population lie. Also, OKC is riding a recent wave of accolades nationally so the state should have rode that with this article and gave OKC its due; THEN said, "by the way - we have another amazing city who is also developing, here is what she has to offer that is a little different than OKC but still represents OKLAHOMA."

The whole state needs to start to recognize that OKC is not just a govt city but it is the largest city, economy, and every sector you could name just about; and the state should ride that when it's promoting itself (in urban articles, anyway). It only makes sense when you're trying to compete for economic/urban tourist dollars as was should have been the point of these two articles.

I agree completely. OKC is the state's largest city and shining star. When Tulsa sees an economic and population boom that eclipses what is currently happening in OKC, then they will deserve more spotlight.

[HOT ROD]

I was on a United flight from London to Houston yesterday, and snapped a few picks of the dossier. I thought it was a very positive portrayal of the entire state, with some great information about Oklahoma City. The two people sitting behind me started discussing Oklahoma City, too. One person - a 28 year old guy from Houston, who works in London most of the time, was visiting with his seat mate - a 50-something year old woman who lived in Oklahoma City. I overheard them talking about Devon Tower, Bricktown, the improvements to Will Rogers, and the overall economy of the city and state. It was somewhat surreal to be sitting on a tarmac at Heathrow, overhearing a conversation about Oklahoma. I loved it.

Now see what I mean about the positive impact of the state with OKC rightfully carrying the torch. ...

[ljbab728]

This is from Travel and Leisure magazine's November issue showing the results of their "America's Favorite Cities" survey.

America?s Favorite Cities 2014 - Articles | Travel + Leisure

They had 50,000 people who voted so it should be a fairly accurate account of how people feel.

OKC was ranked 2nd in affordability and 5th in friendliness. Hopefully we can start working our way up in some of the other categories too.

[Plutonic Panda]

Oklahoma City named third-worst city for fall allergies | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com

[PhiAlpha]

Oklahoma City named third-worst city for fall allergies | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com

Agree

[ChrisHayes]

I would agree as well. My allergies have been in high gear for weeks!

[fromdust]

Best Trips 2015 -- National Geographic Traveler
probably posted already, but thought that was pretty neat.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Barons
Oklahoma City Blue
Oklahoma City Energy FC
Oklahoma City RedHawks
Oklahoma City Thunder

Thank you for all the things you do in your Oklahoma City Community.

[OUman]

The fact that we've made it into the National Geographic's list of places to visit is saying something. People from all over the world read these articles.

[Buffalo Bill]

A foodie friend sent me this. A couple of months old, but a good read:

A Chef's Tour of Oklahoma City - Hungry Crowd | Food & Wine

[adaniel]

Eighth best city for young entrepreneurs.

Best Cities for Young Entrepreneurs

[PhiAlpha]

Looks like we're continuing our rounds in the airline magazines. Made Southwest's magazine for December

Southwest: The Magazine / Your Adventure in Oklahoma City

[Snowman]

Southwest: The Magazine / Your Adventure in Oklahoma City

I am not sure where they found it, but I laughed when I saw the lead image on the website, it is the photoshop they made of what a zip like crossing might look like. However the line they photoshoped in ended up be several hundred feed away from the towers (one of which you can see is connected to nothing in the background), if I remember right the person is/was one of the OKC staff on the kiddie zip line that is like 10 feet off the ground and 30 feet long near the base of the main zipline tower from an earlier promo photo of the Blue Cross/Shield playground opening.