❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now
News In Brief

Detroit ads poke fun of image

Daryl Paranada May 10, 2010

An upcoming Mensa convention is being promoted with the slogan: “Who’s the genius who picked Detroit?” But the group behind the slogan might surprise you — It’s the Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau, which has been running ads putting a spotlight on Detroit’s lackluster image in a self-deprecating manner.

From the Detroit News:

“Isn’t it a wonderful ad?” said Renee Monforton, director of communications for visitdetroit.com, the slogan originator. “These self-deprecating ads have been very effective. When you make fun of yourself you stand out from the clutter.”

Other ads the bureau has used in the past two years include: “Who in Heaven’s Name Chose Detroit?” for the Church of God in Christ convention and “AA is Bringing 50,000 Members to Detroit: I Need a Double” for Alcoholics Anonymous.

Check out this recent Marketplace report on a plan some Detroit officials have to shut down whole swaths of the city and move residents to more viable areas.

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.