Destination Downtown

[Lucasjj]

"Destination Downtown kicks off on Jan. 9. That's when people can visit the Jacksonville Landing, get a wristband and get into six different nightclubs for free."

Am I in the dark on this one or is this another case of Jacksonville putting together an event and not doing nearly enough to get the word out. A piece running on WJXT's website was promoting this event and apparently it begins tonight. I for one have not even heard about it until today, and I visit the various local news sites, as well as sites like MetroJax several times a day. This lack of promotion is one on the main reasons events fail, not only in the core of Jacksonville but throughout.

http://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/18441383/detail.html

[tufsu1]

there was a 2 page spread in Folio Weekly last week and this week....since many people get their bar/club/entertainment info. from the Folio, I think the promotion was fine.

[Doctor_K]

I saw it in the Folio too.  But I'll be darned if I've heard anything about it on the radio, or TV.  Stuff like this should be much more visible (i.e. 'in your face') than this.

But it sounds like good times.  If I didn't already have stuff planned for out-of-town this weekend, I'd definitely be all over it.

[heights unknown]

Poor promo and marketing?  Too little too late?

Heights Unknown

[JeffreyS]

Hopefully this week is a soft opening and they will up the effort after seeing initial results. It seems like a good idea.

[copperfiend]

I saw it in the Folio too.  But I'll be darned if I've heard anything about it on the radio, or TV.

Maybe if more local stations had local morning shows instead of shows that originate from Tampa or Dallas, they could get the word out better on the radio.

[Doctor_K]

I don't disagree with you at all, Copper.  However, 'The' Morning Show on Channel 4 - at least the part I watched this morning - said nary a word.  I'm hoping they did indeed mention it, just at a time different than when I was able to watch it.

[copperfiend]

It was more a complaint about local radio than anything directed towards you. It's amazing that 97.9, 104.5 and 107.3 all carry syndicated morning shows.

[Doctor_K]

Understood.  And still agreed.

In the radio field it also shows, probably as a combination of, a) the corporate stations' unwillingness to expand their future markets by hiring newer/more local talent; and/or b) the lack of talent locally (see: Morning Mess, Hometown Morning Show); or c) the lack of accessibility of any other possible up-and-coming local talent.

At any rate, the lack of advertising for something like this is sad, abhorrent, and unfortunately not all that surprising.  This Destination Downtown thing has the potential to be huge and a great boon for the Core.

[BridgeTroll]

To be fair... the L & T show was local.  It is a testament to their success here that moved them to Dallas.  Do not think for one second that I am defending local radio... It is absolute crap... from our supposedly "alternative" station to Dino rock and plethora of country stations... ugh...

[Doctor_K]

Fair point, BT.

But moving beyond the local TV and radio morning shows, I'm surprised more that there doesn't seem to be any advertising airtime bought by the promoters of this little shindig. 

I've not heard any commercials during programming breaks for it.  Anywhere.  I'm not saying that there's none at all; but rather I've not heard anything.  And I have the radio on pretty much all day, thanks to my eclectic (read: A.D.D.) tastes in music.

[thelakelander]

Something new for Friday nights

Those looking for a good reason to either stay Downtown or come Downtown on Friday nights can stop searching as of tonight.

Five Downtown bars and clubs and two hotels have formed a partnership that looks to capitalize on the success of the City’s Make a Scene Downtown that proved popular over the summer and early fall. While Make a Scene was held Thursdays, Destination Downtown kicks off tonight with drink specials, nearly-free parking, plenty of security, free rides home and discounted hotel rates for those who have a couple too many and want to spend the night.

full article: http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=51593

[CrysG]

I learned about it from Folio. They would be my first place to turn to get entertainment news.


The WJXT did a small spot on it. http://www.news4jax.com/video/index.html

[Dapperdan]

Will anyone be attending tonight? Me and the wife are gonna use this as a chance to go in several places we have never been: Mavericks, The Ivy and Dive Bar.

I think this is a  great idea and would be even better if some of the art walk street performers and such would be along the route, and maybe a  few street vendors. It would make some of those long stretches seem more safe. I think this is very good and may encourage more to open.
I know Stephen mentioned a Supper club at some point. Is that still in the works?

[BridgeTroll]

I could not go this time... Anyone have a review?