A Love Letter
November 9, 2009
I’ve been pleading online for the better part of a year to let other people take a shot at the whole “Vegas Slogan” thing, and I learned today that the idea is not isolated to yours truly.
As most people are aware, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority uses our tax money to pay a company called R&R Partners to come up with advertising slogans.
Everyone in Nevada is acutely aware that the relationship between the LVCVA and R&R is corrupt, but rather than hiding it, both agencies actively flaunt this fact and even seem to relish in it on some level.
R&R received an $87 Million no-bid contract, received a copyright to the “What Happens Here” slogan for $1, overcharged the LVCVA, and when it was discovered – the Visitor’s Authority declined to be repaid for the over-billing.
That, my friends, is a bold EFF YOU to anyone and everyone in the state of Nevada, and there is nothing that we the citizen can do about it. Let this be a lesson to everyone who thinks that the U.S. system of government is a success.
Democracy doesn’t work when the majority of the electorate is functionally retarded.
Anyway, an LV Sun article was posted today by a member of our forums.
Apparently, there is something called the “Nevada Commission on Tourism” for which people can volunteer to help promote the State, and by “volunteer”, I mean “charge less than $87 million for their ideas”. One of these volunteers came up with a slogan recently called “Deal Vegas In”, and she decided to present it to the LVCVA.
Before I go any further, I would like to go on record as saying that I am not a fan of this particular slogan. It’s a fairly common phrase and it’s not terribly compelling to me personally . She does, however, get an “A” for effort. At least she’s thinking … which is more than I can say for certain multi-millionaires who actively reject any and all attempts to help them come up with fresh material.
Randy Snow, the “Executive Creative Director” at R&R Partners was quoted extensively in the Sun article, including the following bit of shock theater:
Snow is diplomatic but firm in his criticism. “Everybody thinks they can do what we do.”
I challenge this man to a hand grenade duel at five paces.
This quote comes from a guy who’s company is so insecure about their own abilities that they are afraid to competitively bid.
The only creative thing Randy has come up with in the last decade is his own title.
It hurts the mind to try and figure out what R&R thinks they do that is so goddamn difficult. Even though, Randy Snow is convinced that they have the market cornered, I’m confident that I, and every other resident of Nevada can figure out how to sit on our ass and collect a paycheck. The only thing we can’t do, is figure out how to get the taxpayers to foot the bill.
”It’s not that the (public’s) ideas aren’t good from time to time,” Snow said.
From “time to time”?
This from someone who’s had one, count’em ONE decent slogan in the past ten years – and I’m not even convinced that it’s that good. When people say it now, more often than not, it’s a joke.
A January 2005 internal R&R memo showed that the slogan had “no effect” on 71% of the population, and it concluded that:
“These results suggest that newer and more widespread advertising is needed both for raising overall awareness of Las Vegas and boosting favorability levels.”
It’s been five years since this memo was released, and we’re still whipping “What Stays Here” in the ass like a thoroughbred with a broken leg.
Randy Snow took the cock out of his mouth and continued:
“But at this point, there aren’t too many scenarios we haven’t touched upon at some point. It’s not like we see something and say, ‘Wow, we’ve never heard of that.’”
On which planet does this turd-sniffing assmonkey live? R&R Partners have touched on few other scenarios other than their obsessive fairytale regarding misbehavior in Las Vegas going unpunished.
R&R are the people who have been kicking around slogans such as “Get Away with It”, “Nobody Needs to Know”, “The Secrets are Yours”, “You Know You Want To” and “Take a Break”.
The slogan has been repeatedly debunked as the complete and utter myth that it is.
Move on.
“The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority is paying R&R to come up with its own ideas, not buy rights to use others’, Snow said.”
How much dextromethamphetamine does Snow Job freebase, and why does he spend so much time chasing Indian girls around the Luv-It Custard parking lot with his pants around his ankles?
He’s clearly suffered a break with reality.
I personally have about 20 slogans that I have a high degree of confidence would garner far more attention than the tired, beaten, and worn out “What Happens Here” nonsense. When R&R finally gets the boot, I may very well offer them up for no cost for consideration. I’ll eat the corn out of a pig’s anus before offering to help either of these agencies, though.
Even if I did offer, they wouldn’t want the help.
When you get paid nearly one hundred million dollars to come up with absolutely nothing, you don’t want to share the loot, and more importantly … you don’t really even care if the ideas work.
“When you have a monopoly, you can suck as bad as you want to.” Just ask NV Energy. That’s their slogan.
Our advertising arms like things just the way they are, and for that reason, we are all doomed to more of the same waste and the same black hole of creativity for the foreseeable future.
Now if you will excuse me, I am off to my Power of Positive Thinking class. That’s right, I’ve taken a job as a teacher. I’m taking a cue from R&R Partners, and have decided to capitalize on my strengths.
If I’m twice as good at my job as they are at theirs, I’ll be unemployed by morning.
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on November 10, 2009 at 6:31 am
Again a nice article, Rex. You already know my feelings about those douchewads at LVCVA from other posts.
It’s like they always act like they are like rocket scientist experts on tourism and get paid the big bucks to confirm in their brain pan cavities that they are indeed know-it-alls, but time after time after time, they constantly end up lifting their foot up to their face and sticking it in their mouths. If you ask me, they spend more time trying to justify having a job than doing their job.
And this is all being revealed as the truth lately. You have related this fact in a lot of your articles. I see downtown Las Vegas (around Fremont Street) has been doing way, way more to attract tourists than the actual Strip part has. This is evidenced by their successful 60’s theme this past summer. But I think a lot of it has to do with catering to the “regular folks.” Not sure. I’m probably pretty close though. Whatever they are doing, they are doing far better word-of-mouth than LVCVA can ever accomplish with bright, frilly advertisements in papers and dumb ass slogans.
I say get rid of all them assholes and put all of us Rex Blog Readers in charge of it. Put them LVCVA knuckleheads out on the street. Where they belong.
I can see the future….
Bum walks up to my car on the corner of Sahara and Paradise, mumbles, “Mister… Can I wash yer windows fer a quarter?”
I look at him and ask, “HEY! Didn’t you work for the Las Vegas Convention Visitors Authority?”
He suddenly flashes fire in his eyes and screams, “YEAH! I got fired and was replaced by some dude off the street by the name of Reginald. No. Wait. Reynolds. NO! REX! That was the name! That asshole……”
Written by tully on November 10, 2009 at 6:48 am
Snow’s comment is a real ROFL moment, then you just get utterly PO’d.
In addition to being delusional is the guy living in a cave? Twenty years ago, if you wanted to build a promotional campaign, you needed access to some pretty expensive equipment. You needed A-V and print production shops to produce the needed ads, and unless you had a friend in the business who’d give you a good deal, it wasn’t cheap.
Now, anybody with the interest and a bit of cash can buy the camera, computer and programs to do all of it. While there’s a lot of silly crap on the video and photo hosting sites, there’s some very good stuff—-proof there are some very talented amateurs running around. The abundance of blogs and websites additional proof that a lot of people can write, and execute layouts, print and web based.
The point? Yes, any body can do what Snow says they can’t. They may need to enlist the help of some friends with talents and software one individual might not have, so it would be a team effort.. But it could be done, and done better.
Perhaps that is what makes the situation so unbelievably frustrating—-it’s not 1989, it’s 2009, and people not only have slogan ideas, they can turn them into full blown finished campaigns, and for a lot less money than R
Written by tully on November 10, 2009 at 6:56 am
Damn ….forgot that stupid ampersand. Must be a curse from R and R.. Note to anyone posting in comments—-make it R and R, don’t use the ampersand. Continuing…
Could a group of citizens band together to file a class action lawsuit against LVCVA, and force them into a true open bidding process?
ColinfromLV makes a very good point about the FSE promotion people—they have been very impressive this past year.
Written by Randy Snow, Executive Creative Director; R on November 10, 2009 at 8:31 am
Mr. Rex:
I would prefer that I be addressed as “Mr. Snow” as we are not now, nor do I believe we will ever
be, on a first name basis with each other.
Especially now.
Randy Snow
Written by Rex on November 10, 2009 at 11:01 am
Mr. Rex:
I would prefer that I be addressed as “Mr. Snow” as we are not now, nor do I believe we will ever
be, on a first name basis with each other.
Especially now.
Randy Snow
I’ve spent many a sleepless night agonizing over how you prefer to be addressed. I would like to thank Jesus, my personal Lord and Savior, that you have finally clarified this for me.
For $87 million, I think everyone in Nevada has earned the right to call you whatever they wish.
Enjoy our tax money.
What Happens Here Stays in your pocket.
Written by Rex on November 10, 2009 at 11:39 am
Someone just emailed me this RJ article from last year:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/35527654.html
“Weidner is president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands. He is a longtime critic of the convention and visitors authority, in part because he says the authority-funded Las Vegas Convention Center is using government funds to undercut privately run convention centers.
“Consider the source of these attacks,” authority board chairman and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said of the NPRI efforts. “It comes from a group of individuals who (sic) has a political agenda.”
In his written statement Goodman also said: “Over the years, some of these same individuals have sued the LVCVA, attempted to block the expansion of the convention center and tried to financially cripple the organization with a state ballot initiative.”
It looks like Oscar is in bed with these guys.
This won’t happen when I am Mayor.
Written by Rex on November 10, 2009 at 11:51 am
Again a nice article, Rex. You already know my feelings about those douchewads at LVCVA from other posts.
Mr. Colin:
I would prefer that I be addressed as “Mr. Rex” as we are not now, nor do I believe we will ever be, on a first name basis with each other.
Especially now.
Asshole.
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on November 10, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Ha ha ha ha ha. Okay. You got it, Mr. Rex.
Written by mad dog on November 10, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Their web page (http://www.rrpartners.com) only shows his title as “Creative Director”, but he is an
Executive Vice President and a Princpal!
What a guy.
Especially now
Written by William Beem on November 10, 2009 at 12:24 pm
Mr. Rex,
Don’t despair. At least Mr. Snow didn’t dispute any of the facts or content of your article.
Mr. Beem
Written by MR ChuckReis on November 10, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Dear Sirs,
While I have you all in one place, as I have wanted for quite some time, I would like to present to you my idea for a slogan for Las Vegas. It is actually more of a theme. I call it “Dead Whores, yep we got ‘em”.
As you can imagine this attracts everyone from whore killers to dead whore fornicators! Hell bring the kids, bet an exhibit of Dead Whores without skin would beat out “Bodies”! I a bruised up hooker named, oh Jamie, for example could explain the dangers of turning tricks, it might not save as many lives as a diseased lung, but it might keep some little girl from running away from home.
Fremont Street could do a “Summer of Dead Whores”! Imagine a FSE Video celebrating dead whores such as someone named Jamie or even Marilyn Monroe. At Halloween you could have zombie whores! You could fill the stages with the most talented whores in Vegas, they all went there to sing and dance, imagine the untapped talent, and guess what, if they suck someone can choke them and throw them in a dumpster!
The crowning touch to my plan is a new park, the centerpiece of the park? Why a wall honoring all of the whores that have died. Imagine the Vietnam Memorial only longer with more victims being added daily! A giant inflatable dumpster could be installed from the kids to bounce around in.
Sirs, please consider this, as I am sure it will be better than the crap that comes out of Vegas Commercials now.
Written by tully on November 10, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Mr. Snow,
Thank you for proving my assertion (posted elsewhere) that you have spent the last twenty years in a cave, out of touch with the developments of the modern era. Use of courtesy titles stopped being standard journalist practice a few decades ago. See no reason to observe it here, the 2009 version of the “Op-Ed” page in the local rag. However, will point out the Sun referred to you as “Snow”, so you might head over to that article’s comments and advise them of your preference, as well.
To be honest, I called you worse than “Snow” but as a courtesy to Mr. Rex, will not repeat myself here.
Regards,
Ms. Tully
Written by blueboar on November 10, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Dear Mr. Snow,
Please ignore Mr. Rex’s rantings. He only lives there and would like to see Las Vegas succeed.
But as a visitor, I can’t thank you enough for what your marketing efforts have done towards lowering room rates, table limits, and the ability to walk around so much easier amongst smaller crowds.
You’re doing a heck of a job there Brownie, er, Mr. Snow.
Thanks again,
Mr. Blueboar
PS – The next time you talk to the LVCVA folks, could you ask them if they received my application for that Terrorism Analyst job position of theirs? TIA.
PPS – What do you think of Luv It Frozen Custard? Is it worth dying for as Craig Ferguson suggests? Perhaps you could build an ad campaign around Luv It and the Rexville neighborhood.
Written by BeeeJay on November 10, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Mr. William Beem:
You got any music to go with that post?
Please say you do.
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on November 10, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I just wanted to point out, in case anyone missed it, His Majesty Mr. Snow, upon first going into his office in the morning, instead of checking his in box, it appears he logs in on the computer to peruse Rex’ column, and, when the opportunity arises for a poignant comment to defend himself and the esteemed organization he works for, he goes for it. If that indeed was the Almighty Mr. Snow who commented and not a poser.
An easy day. Another easy half a million bucks. Mr. Snow writes down in his journal: Made comment that reprimanded Rex whilst drinking coffee. Turn off the computer. Work, work, work. Can’t decide whether to go play golf or just surf the web next.
What a maroon……
Written by Mr. Lub on November 10, 2009 at 3:31 pm
OK, who’s pretending to be Mr. Snow? No one would actually post that. Right?
Seriously, was that for real?
Written by keith on November 10, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Rex, as a loyal reader, i hearby bequeath my idea for the new slogan for your use when you show up as Overlord (okay, mayor) and pinkslip all these mutherfuckers.
“Vegas – less douchebags than 2005″
Written by SPRUNT on November 10, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I wonder what would happen if guerrilla marketing were to take place around Las Vegas to the effect of
“The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority: We spent $87 MILLION of YOUR tax dollars to bring you the exact same thing we brought you in 2003″
Written by William Beem on November 10, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Mr. Beeejay:
I have both kinds of music, country AND western.
Bill
Written by keith on November 10, 2009 at 7:23 pm
god damn, i wish i was living in vegas – i would take a week off work just to papaer the city in flyers bearing Sprunt’s slogan. We Opie and Anthony pests know how to annoy…
Written by Tom on November 11, 2009 at 8:21 am
How about this……”Las Vegas, what ever your weakness…Vegas will find it!” I first heard that from a long time dealer.
Written by FoolsGold on November 11, 2009 at 10:21 am
Conventions are not held in Las Vegas because of that slogan.
No one really thinks hijinks at a casino pool will be tolerated more in Vegas than in Palm Springs or any other destination.
The slogan is false. Mildly entertaining perhaps, but demonstrably false.
Some more truthful slogans:
Vegas: Now offering the same 6:5 blackjack you can get nearer to home.
Vegas: Now offering a poolside cabana and a giant bottle of booze for only 900.00.
Vegas: Now offering nightclubs with less than one-hour lines outside.
Vegas: Now offering close up visions of police target practice on the famed Las Vegas Strip.
Vegas: Now opening big, square buildings that contain hotels, restaurants and occasionally, some gambling equipment.
Vegas: Now offering hookers at five times the price and half the quality you can get in your own home town.
Written by mad dog on November 11, 2009 at 11:47 am
Rex said: “I would like to thank Jesus, my personal Lord and Savior, that you have finally clarified this for
me.”
Is that the Mexican baseball player or what?
I guess he has been moved up in the batting order to personal Lord and Savior?
Written by RG on November 11, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Its telling that the one popular slogan “what stays here…” is just something they lifted from the lexicon of generations of douchebags. I’ve heard people yell that “what happens in X stays in X” nonsense for years. Try to find an old clip of E!’S Wild On series from the mid 90’s and your guaranteed to hear someone in whatever locale they are in scream that at least once while twirling around in a nightclub while holding a cosmo.
Written by Carlos on November 11, 2009 at 3:25 pm
How embarrassing that What happens here stays here is the best they got and they didn’t even come up w/ that themselves. What a waste of good tax payers dollars.
Mr. Snow,
You are the best Executive Creative Director ever and have a flair with words.
Insincerely,
Mr. Carlos
Written by tunadz on November 11, 2009 at 7:53 pm
‘Vegas-Not Judgmental while you are within hearing distance…mostly.
Written by Dave on November 13, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Mr. Snow you FAIL sir!