WILLIAMSBURG – — The economic downturn and a lackluster summer tourism season took a toll on Colonial Williamsburg last year, according to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s annual report. The 2008 report, which was released Tuesday, showed the foundation’s revenue dipped by $15 million from 2007. The foundation, which is the governing body that operates Colonial Williamsburg, earned $210 million in total revenue last year, which included budgeted endowment support, the report said. In addition, Colonial Williamsburg’s expenses totaled $249 million last year, which was a $13 million decrease from 2007, and its operating losses rose by $2 million from the previous year. Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Colin G. Campbell blamed the revenue declines on the national economic slowdown, high gas prices and a plummeting stock market. “The economic downturn took its toll in 2008, on the nation and on Colonial Williamsburg and its employees,” Campbell said in a news release. “At a time when we were on track to achieve revenue gains and a reduced deficit, it was particularly disappointing to experience revenue losses and an increased deficit.” General admission ticket sales, which totaled 707,000 tickets in 2008, declined by 9 percent from the previous year, the report said. CW’s retail stores, following a trend of retailers nationwide, saw sales drop by 15 percent. Room occupancy and overall hospitality revenues were down by 9 percent because of price competition and promotions for lower rates to attract overnight guests, the report said. The foundation’s endowment was $611 million at the end of 2008, which was a decline of $209 million, including the impact of the negative investments performance. Colonial Williamsburg dealt with its financial challenges through 2008 by reducing some employees’ work hours, employee layoffs, furloughs, salary reductions and closing some hospitality facilities during the off-season. But all the news in the foundation’s report wasn’t bad. There were revenue increases in some areas. According to the report, ticket sales revenue, which totaled $18.5 million, rose by $250,000. Officials said that while the number of tickets purchased decreased, visitors were often opting for the more expensive multiday and annual passes. Donations to the foundation also increased by 2 percent, to more than $42 million, which is the highest the result in years, the report said. The annual fund received a total of $14.6 million. The report also noted several highlights of the past year, which included the groundbreaking for reconstructing Charlton’s Coffeehouse and that CW was the location for a two-hour live broadcast of NBC’s “Today” show. Local tourism officials said Tuesday that all of Williamsburg as a tourist destination had experienced a tough 2008. Linda Stainer, spokeswoman for the Greater Williamsburg Chamber & Tourism Alliance, said the past few months have showed promising signs for the tourism industry. “We’re seeing consumer confidence is up, but we know the economy isn’t out of the woods yet,” Stainer said. “People want to vacation but are looking closer to home so we’re trying to attract those potential visitors.”
I visited Colonial Williamsburg around the Holidays… a major time for the colonial capitol. In the past, Jason and I would celebrate his birthday at a tavern. We love the food. It’s expensive but we know it’s a good meal by candlelight. Before we went I decided to go online and look at the menus. All of the taverns were reported to be open. When we got there, it was a different story. Shields was closed. Christina Campbell’s Tavern was closed. The local hotel had a “tavern fare” menu. That’s it. Nothing else. We were pissed. I called the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor’s Center and was told they decided to shut them down because of the economy. After bitching and hanging up the phone, I saw other people looking at the menu and then the dark tavern in confusion. The sign didn’t say “closed” instead it said “Private Function.” There was no one inside. This situation has happened before where we had to leave the Historic District to find another restaurant.
I love CW. I have always since I was a kid. It used to be so lively (I had Redcoats chase me in the Palace Gardens once). The place is a ghost town now everytime I go. Unless it’s July 4. I understand why the sales are down. They brought it onto themselves. Their advertising and marketing is great. Too good. The campaigns make the Historic District look like a lively place where a meal at a tavern is just one of the small things you can do. The experience for the customer isn’t engaging. I’d hate to be one of the fools who buys a pass for the day to discover nothing is open, all the interpreters are clocking out early and all the taverns are closed. We ended up eating at The Whaling Company, near Busch Gardens. Well worth it. But it didn’t make up for the missed experience at CW. The news of the $15m drop made me giggle a bit. But at the same time makes me embarrassed that Virginia offers a half-ass experience for its visitors (and in my case, its residents).
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When your world is full of strange arrangements
And gravity wont pull you through
You know youre missing out on something
Well that something depends on you
All Im saying, it takes a lot to love you
All Im doing, you know its true
All I mean now, theres one thing
Yes one thing that turns this grey sky to blue
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
When your girl has left you out on the pavement (goodbye)
Then your dreams fall apart at the seams
Your reason for livings your reason for leaving
Dont ask me what it means
Whos got the look? I dont know the answer to that question
Wheres the look? if I knew I would tell you
Whats the look? look for your information
Yes theres one thing, the one thing that still holds true
(whats that? )
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
If you judge a book by the cover,
Then youd judge the look by the lover
I hope youll soon recover,
Me I go from one extreme to another
And though my friends just might ask me
They say martin maybe one day youll find true love
I say maybe, there must be a solution
To the one thing, the one thing, we cant find
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
Thats the look, thats the look
The look of love
Thats the look, thats the look
Sisters and brothers
Should help each other
Oh, oh, oh
Heavens above
Thats the look, thats the look, hip hip hooray, ay
Thats the look, thats the look, yippee ai yippee aiay
Thats the look, thats the look
Be lucky in love
Look of love
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Will be interesting to see.
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1543292789?bctid=24931063001
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VCU Brandcenter consists of 60 weeks (give or take). When I first set out in August 2007, I thought I knew everything. I told myself I wasn’t there to make friends. I wanted to be the best art director. In less than 2 years I would emerge with an education that many would envy to have. I set out what I intended to do, except I learned early on that I had plenty to learn. What I thought would be easy was hard. What I thought would be hard, was easy. Knowing much about VCU Adcenter before enrolling in the program, I thought I had a 1-up. I used it in my first couple of weeks. Who knew that 4 am would become a normal bed time? Or worrying at 5 am wide awake was normal? Or realizing 5 minutes before a presentation that the work was off strategy? Or that everything I was doing had been done before? Or that the unexpected proved to be the best work? Growing pains. Mini victories. But who knew the pain and happiness would make up a unique education and experience? It was after my internship that I started to get a handle on things. Worry about the things worth worrying about. There were people I grew close to. More importantly, there wasn’t one person who I could honestly say I didn’t like. I would gladly go out my way any day for anyone from my class. Everyone meant something to me. Rick Boyko mentioned at the graduation ceremony that we were the closest class ever to emerge from the Brandcenter. I’ve never felt what I’ve felt to this many people. They are all like brothers and sisters to me. An amazing feeling to have. The faculty and staff at Brandcenter are so true and human. I’m so glad I gave up my full-time job to go to this school. It was the right decision. I needed it after all. It’s funny how the universe has plans in mind for us. Everything happens for a reason. I’m just glad I met so many wonderful people and I will value their friendship for the rest of my life. I’m excited for what’s next. Whatever that may be. I think it could be something really good. Fingers crossed. Will post once I know for certain.
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What an awesome issue this month of Paper Magazine. In the past, I found the magazine a little too hipster (ya know… not knowing what the hell you’re reading or looking at). The focus this month is rebranding America and instead of call for entries, Paper enlisted top creative thinkers. Even Alex Bogusky was on the list (forever a household name in advertising). The last 8 years were rough. A corrupt President. Old crow Republicans running the show. They ran the economy into the ground. Knowing that George W went to bed no later than 9 pm every night was a sign that America’s future was not his priority. Perhaps the role of President was more important than he chose to regard it is. The world hates us because of it. Americans are good intentioned. Just represented unfairly. I think a lot of the work in Paper to redesign/rebrand America only scratches the surface… but it’s a start. We have a lot of work to do – and creatively. Here are some work samples from the issue I like most…
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What Obama’s Done for America’s Confidence \ Huffington Post
What is a recession? What constitutes a bear stock market? In both cases, it’s nothing more than perception. It’s the collective belief by consumers and businesses alike that things are bad and getting worse. And it’s mostly a self-fulfilling prophecy. Americans stop spending, corporate profits turn to mounting losses, and massive layoffs follow. And it’s a vicious circle. We therefore create the very things we fear most. When that happens, nothing can turn it around except a very different perception. The shifting sentiment that things are looking better.
Which brings us to a new ABC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Monday indicating that 50% of Americans now believe the country is headed in the right direction, versus just 8% in October, before the presidential election and three months before Barack Obama took office. Additionally, the Consumer Confidence Index released Tuesday showed a significant increase to 39.2% in March vs. 26.9% in February. Throw in Obama’s approval rating, which hovers around 65%, and it’s a pretty safe bet that Americans are starting to feel much better about the nation’s leadership and the overall direction of the economy and the country.
When consumers start feeling better about things, they spend. It starts with little things like clothes, toys, books, etc. They take extra trips to the mall. Then they slowly return to big-ticket items. They buy electronics, cars, houses, take vacations. And when they spend, it fattens corporate earnings. And that leads to job growth, reinvestment and spending on capital improvements. Pretty soon, recession turns to prosperity. Of course, I’m over simplifying, and an economic recovery can take a long while to achieve any appreciable measure of growth. But all signs point to a bottoming, and that would mean the crawl back upward begins. Whether we experience a V, U or L-shaped recovery is anyone’s guess. But it would appear that a recovery, however slow, is at least underway.
Obama’s critics can bark as loudly as they wish and continue playing the partisan rhetoric game, but the simple truth is that his first 100 days have achieved major progress in turning around the economy, restoring consumer confidence, and curbing the hemmoraging in both the banking and housing crises. Not bad for 100 days..
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Delicious branding
Charm City Cakes, located in Baltimore, is quite innovative, to say the least, when it comes to cakes and cake decorating. They are featured regularly on Food Network. I caught an episode yesterday of when they were tasked to design and make the cake for Milk Bone’s 100th anniversary celebration in NYC back in May 2008. Not only did they do a bang-up job (see pictures) but it made me think why more ad agencies aren’t going after cake artists like the crew at Charm City. Cakes create the focal point of any party or celebration. These artists take EVERYTHING into consideration and totally understand branding. I was impressed that Duff actually pressed the letters (made out of foam) into the oversized Milk Bone cake to make it look like an actual Milk Bone. For the large box cake, they handpainted all the type, illustrations, and disclaimer type so that it was an edible, 4 feet + cake. Incredible. A win for both Charm City Cakes and Milk Bone.
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It’s all about Now. Makes me think differently about Sprint… like I’m sort of missing out on…. Now.
Great work by Goodby as presented today by John Thorpe at VCU Brandcenter.
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It’s safe to say panic has set in. One of the reasons why I am not at Brandcenter much these days. But when I am, it’s for speakers or to meet up with group members refusing to make the trek to Starbucks. Then there are days there’s a good reason to be at school. Last week, a few select students and I got to spend some time with Peter Stringham (CEO and Chairman of Y&R Brands) and Edward N. Ney (Chairman Emeritus of Y&R, and former ambassador to Canada) who was unveiled on a plaque for the school’s hall of fame. We talked about the implications of media in society, how TV is still a valid medium, and how Tweeter and social media are changing the landscape. Even more rewarding was seeing how passionate they are about VCU Brandcenter’s purpose and mission. Today we were visited by John Thorpe, Director of Brand Strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and Andy Grayson, Senior Brand Strategist at Goodby (and an alum). I came to school just for this and I’m glad that I did. Not only was the presentation very engaging, the speaker detailed something very special about himself that struck a chord with me. And it dawned on me – I was stressing over if I spelled the names of the agency correctly in my emails to them in my job search but I haven’t explored if they were committed to diversity, the opposite, etc. During this time of such economic upheaval, putting one more filter in my job search could be too much. But that’s an important one.
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I owe a lot to Sally Hogshead. Whenever her name comes up in conversation or in class, I glow a little bit. A whiny email sent back in 2007 resulted in meeting her in person at a coincidental VCU Adcenter Speaker Series days later. Not only was in well into my 3rd year slump at a now defunct consumer electronics company, but I had hunger to try again to get into VCU Adcenter. I had no confidence and another rejection probably would send me off looking for non-advertising jobs. But just maybe. Rejection can be tough. You can be the most passionate person in the world and still come off as not really wanting the opportunity. Now I’m staring at a book that has a thumbs up from VCU Brandcenter faculty and, most importantly, a record of good collaboration and concept between me and my talented classmates. Turns out, I needed ad school. In 2007, I had several people try to talk me out of it. Lethal flattery. Cynicism over trying again. Worry about the debt I’d be taking in. Sally was one of these people who made me recognize that being the best art director I could be would in fact make me the happiest I could be. Not knowing what happens in May and when my bank account dwindles down to dangerous digits, I must think it was worth it and eventually all things fall into place. Tonight I reread “Pick Me” by Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk and I came across this list from Sally:
1. There are no right answers, including these.
2. The hipster creative with tattoos and piercings rarely does the coolest ads.
3. Dominos delivers to Starbucks.
4. Smart beats clever.
5. You’ll create a better book by breaking the rules than by following them.
6. Spend more time thinking, less time executing.
7. Don’t write like a copywriter.
8. Start art directing with a pad of paper, not a computer.
9. The difference between an A- book and an A+ book is all the difference in the world.
10. Your work can have outrageous attitude. You can’t.
11. Don’t use your mother as a reference.
12. The more concepts you come up with, the better they get. Me, I write a hundred ads for every one I end up with.
13. It’s better to fail by going down in flames than by settling for mediocrity.
14. Idea is king. Emperor. World nuclear superpower.
15. When working on an assignment, try to expose the deepest, most surprising human truths associated with that product.
16. Don’t base your self-image on positive feedback.
17. You can’t outthink everyone, but you can outwork them.
18. By the time an ad appears in an awards book, it’s already a couple of years old.
19. Competitive is okay. Cutthroat is not.
20. Don’t waste time or money on ideas you’re not thrilled about.
21. No matter how good it is, somebody won’t like it.
22. Be as respectful to the receptionist as to the president.
23. If you’re happy in your job, it’s easier to be happy in your life.
24. You don’t have to be an asshole, or work for one, to do great work.
25. If you hear the same feedback over and over, make the changes to the work.
26. It’s better to have 8 killer pieces than 30 pretty good ones.
27. You could be unemployed for six months, then get three phenomenal offers in a day.
28. Being creative is only a small part of being a good creative.
29. When you’re a creative director, meet with 10 juniors for every person who meets with you now.
30. Pick out a last name that people can make fun of.
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J.D. Humphreys - VCU Brandcenter Student Blog 