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.