Marketing and all things related

Now you might that cities already have enough outdoor advertising, and you would be wrong, naturally. If you are impressed by advertising display of Disney Word or Times Square—you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. We just learned from Ad Age (free registration required) that Clear Channel Communications is not satisfied to own the airways—they want to own the whole planet. And their first step to world domination is the construction of a Clear Channel Branded City, called Westgate City Center in Glendale, Arizona. The 6.5 million square-foot center, already under construction, will include “two major sporting arenas, hotels, condominiums, convention centers, movie theaters, office space, restaurants, shopping centers, and over 30 media signs such as those in Times Square.” Now you might think this is a fine idea, but Marketing Blurb is not so sure. Dan Jasper, VP-Clear Channel Branded cites says: "Branded cities is about creating the ability for products and services to have a platform to integrate and align themselves in people's lives in a natural and organic way." This idea sounds like a frightening grade B science fiction movie to us. Be afraid, be very afraid.