SJ assumes - wrongly - that the purpose of the ads was an economic development message - to attract businesses. It was not. It's obvious that this is aimed at local audiences - to be ambassadors, to spread the word about the quality of life in Louisville. This is about attracting new talent, stopping brain drain which, in turn, draws new investment in the community. For perspective, read Richard Florida's "The Rise of the Creative Class." This is a classic strategy utilizing Florida's theories.

Keep it up Community Branding Project. You're definitely on the right track.

The future of our city lies heavily in our ability to 1) fight the “brain drain” from our community, and 2) attract new, young talent to the area. I agree that the city’s new branding campaign is controversial, and understand that it is raising eyebrows. However, I have never been more proud of the “Louisville message”, and from the very top! Playing it safe and running a more traditional message would be a waste of money, as it would go largely unnoticed.

I am the target demographic. I’m 30 years old with 2 children, I run one of the most successful area attractions, my husband and I started a new business downtown, I give back to the community, I am an entrepreneur, I contribute to our future. And I want edgy, I want creative, I want to laugh, and I am not alone. Louisville is a great place, and you CAN find someone to marry with a tattoo on her butt. And chances are, she’ll be one of the nicest people you’ve ever met.

This city is unique in its ability to “keep it weird”, and it's that kind of uniqueness that will attract new people to town and entice those who left to return. It is only fitting that the ad campaign is a reflection of how we are different, and let's not forget, FUN.

So hats off to CVB/GLI/Metro for taking a risk and getting Louisville noticed. This campaign is a perfect “hook” that will get people interested to know more, and that’s when they learn about all the other great things we have (health care, corporate and business base, excellent medical facilities, educational venues, etc).

-Page von Wheeler
Vice President - Glassworks
Vice President - Architectural Glass Art
Owner - Market on Market
Co-owner - UrbanCorps Promotions

I just got done looking at all the ads at www.sharelouisville.com. I've lived in Ohio. I've lived in New York City. Both my previous homes are lampooned in the ads. I also appreciate humor. This ad campaign is an excellent step in creating a young, hip brand that will help do what the city government couldn't do when I lived in Toledo, OH: That is stop young, educated, and talented people from leaving the city, known as "brain drain". I have two significant points I’d like to make about Louisville: 1) it’s was a hell of a lot nicer than I expected, and 2) when I tell my non-Louisvillian friends about it they seemed as surprised as I was. Well, the reason we were surprised is because previously, Louisville failed to get the message out. While positive “word-of-mouth” and consistently topping lists of “most livable” cities certainly has helped Louisville’s image, a top-notch ad campaign like this is a great step to build awareness (a positive “brand”) and will help this city attract and keep the best and brightest. Keep up the good work!

I sat in dismay after seeing the new “Possibilities” branding commercials during the football game on Saturday. They fall short of selling a truly great city to people in markets that may know nothing about Louisville. The commercials do not mention or leave any idea of the corporate and business base, excellent medical facilities, educational venues, visual and performing arts, history, festivals, neighborhoods and quality of life.

Maybe the boards of the individuals responsible for this genius “branding” campaign need to review the six figure salaries of their top people as well as their mission statements. Will this campaign attract businesses and people to relocate to Louisville? Will this campaign bring in conventions and tourists to our great destination city?

In an email response from Greater Louisville Inc when I expressed that I found one of the commercials offensive and degrading to women. I was thanked for my comment and basically told I do not understand “tongue and cheek” advertising.

I fully understand “tongue and cheek” advertising. I also understand ignorance and the waste of the third of the million dollars to the campaign of taxpayer money contributed by Metro Government that could be better spent on improving our fire and police department services.

This is the worst ad campaign I have ever seen - it makes Louisville look like Goofyville. They might be an attempt to be funny, but they are dark and do not show the great things about Louisville. Fire the ad agency and start over!!!