Toronto is Like New York, Run by the Torontonians
So, Tourism Toronto recently unveiled its latest bid to get more visitors to the city and… well, it doesn’t get high grades from blogTO commenters, the majority of whom voted that “at least it’s not Toronto Unlimited,” referring to a previous, inscrutable and Just Plain Bad ad campaign. Is it that the city can’t afford creative marketing people of higher caliber — or is it just the cronyism held over from too many years of Mel Lastman — which has saddled the city with such breathtakingly lame boosterism?
And while no one (except me, sarcastically) ever repeats that rumoured quote from Peter Ustinov — “Toronto is like New York, except run by the Swiss” — the moratorium seems to have eluded the Toronto Tourism folks, who’ve given their landing page the retarded title “NYC – Microsite” and a URL of “nyc2008″:
Presumably they were going for an acronym of “Name Your Corner”? Whatever, it’s remarkably inept.
I guess, though, you do have to give them props for including Toronto’s Rich, Diverse, Multicultural Community of White, Steroidal, Partying Leathermen to illustrate our vibrant lesbigay community. There’s a nod to racially-mixed conservaqueers but, naturally, they’re all gooshy and gay-marriagey:
Too bad there aren’t any pretty lesbians in Toronto, huh? But we sure do have some safe, old drag queens female impersonators! I love it when they look just like my mom trying to look pretty. So edgy. So outrageous.
I especially love the ad copy (predictably) referencing Toronto’s (predictable) Woody’s: it “had a cameo on the wretched popular TV Series, Queer as Folk.” Since, after all, Toronto was standing in for fucking Pittsburgh in Queer as Folk. Please, guys, try to remember which city you’re aligning with Toronto. And maybe get someone other than that guy in Creative whose wife’s brother is gay to point you to some hipper homo haunts.
But let’s not limit the marketing ineptitude to our diverse lesbigay population. Here’s the spot for the “Something New” signpost:
Except… she’s at David’s shoe store — you know, the one with all those fucking Sex and the City posters (another inept Toronto-NYC comparison) uglifying the windows? — across from Manulife Centre. At Bay and Bloor. Almost 20 blocks from Eaton Centre. Those heels will be totally broken in after that walk.
A job well-done, Toronto-style!
16 comments
I feel you jim, Primus is the worst company. it is very bad that they carry Canada name behind their name “Primus”, I signed up for the VOIP and it was the worst choice I have ever made. then I decided to more to regular phone line and they asked for $50 connection fee. it took them 7 days to transfer the phone. my family lived with no phone or internet for complete 7 days. then they offered me a very good offer on the internet. so they promised me to get the internet and they never did. I lived without internet for about a week again. then I said fuck it and called Rogers and got a phone service and internet from them it took them 1 day to set everything. I rather pay more but not to live in this shit.
Great photos
I agree with Mark. I do not find this movie depressing per say … but simply brilliantly written. I have the whole show memorized too … and I can watch it over and over again. And God bless Leonard Frey … what an actor !
My dear sir:
It has come to my attention by means of my attentiveness that you haven’t said much lately. Ahem ahem. If you let it go to a month, you’ll start to grow the impression that you have to explain, blah blah, and that the post has to be awesome to compensate etc. I therefore must urge you with great urgings to get something up here before November 24th. You can talk about how mustache-growing affects kissing on the part of the kisser (I know about the kissee already). Or the weather. What you had for lunch. I’m just saying, immediate action must be taken to avoid certain disaster. Or something. Please. Pretty please.
K primus is shit..
heres the story..
2008. My modem fucked up randomly, took them 1 month to fix it wdf 1 month? idiots much.
Now 2009,
My modem works all lights are on, BUT INTERNET DOESNT WORK, i call them up im like, why aint my interent working? all lights are on the damn modem. and some indian fucker says TO LOGIN WITH MY PASS AND USER ON 192.168.*.***
I do that still doesnt work, Then he shuts the phone on me,
Well then, im moving to shaw, and im not paying there bills no matter what, They wont let me cancle it since its under my dead wife, So They can suck on it, im not paying for shit. Gg primus, your company sucks, a bunch of kids can overwhlem it.
Soooo…Where the F are you? You can’t tell me that life in Van is so fabulously awesome that there is nothing to complain about! Is that city so perfect, are the roads so pothole free, are the politicians so straight that there is nothing to talk about? Or.. are you sick … that tiresome sinus issue you have? Us loving followers (yes from Toronto) need to know?
@anne & SkippyBoy: Thanks for the votes advocating more posts. They’re coming. Truth is, I’ve been working more hours than usual and diving, headfirst and enthusiastically, into establishing a social network here in Vancouver. Life is good here, very good.
Sometimes, I feel sad that there’s so much negativity on the Internet. Whether or not you like, dislike, or have no particular opinion on someone, I just don’t think it’s very nice to be so mean.
I guess I just wish people were sweeter.
This is terrible. I was on another site http://www.timhortonsfranchise.com and see they don’t treat thier franchisees any better. This is disgusting what a giant corporation can do. Spread the word.
I think it’s JUST adorable! There’s something rather touching about the small pox and polio notes to me. You’re right Brett, it’s become something better than useful, it’s become art.
let me add a voice to those advocating more posts. i miss you too and will keep checking.
hope you guys have great holidays in your new home.
I’m adding my voice to the chorus of people who want, nay, NEED posts from you, Brett. Please post soon! We miss the Canadian snark!
Missing ya, man, but glad it’s for good reasons, not bad. Hope to see you posting again soon!