kapkomet Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071123/ap_on_...o_naming_rights CHICAGO - Might visitors to the Windy City someday ride the Lowe's Chicago El, shop on the Microsoft Magnificent Mile and tour Old Navy Pier? The city has hired a marketing firm to explore the potential for selling naming rights and sponsorships as a way to bring in much-needed city revenue, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday. The Daley administration has awarded a $285,000 contract to Octagon Inc. to examine what the city has to offer and, by next spring, produce a marketing plan that will attract corporate sponsors and advertisers. Octagon will inventory city programs, events, buildings and other physical assets and determine which would be most attractive to companies that might want to affix their names in some way. The contract states that any plan must ensure "the integrity of the city of Chicago's brand image," and ideas must be presented to an advisory group of civic leaders, which has not yet been formed. Mayor Richard Daley's press office and Octagon did not return telephone messages Friday from The Associated Press inquiring about the contract. Chicago wouldn't be the first city to offer municipal names for sale. Nextel has sponsored the Las Vegas Monorail and New York has entered into partnership agreements with such firms as Snapple, Verizon and Pepsi Cola, according to city budget office spokeswoman Wendy Abrams. In Canada, the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, announced plans two weeks ago to sell naming rights for city pools, arenas, buildings and even city services in an attempt to offset a $2 billion shortfall. Similar programs are operating in Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto. What a f***ing idiot. How about we tattoo Richard "DICK" Daley on his forehead and sell those naming rights to a condom company or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 I could do that for half that contract value. On a different note, does having your product name placed on the side of a sports center or a fountain really get you any more business? Has anyone here changed their cell plans to US Cellular just because of the stadium? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 It is the logical next step. The ultimate will be the Haliburton White House or the Taco Liberty Bell. How quickly we started calling it the United Center instead of the Chicago Stadium. Chuck Comiskey was replaced in a nanosecond. Depending on which is named, it may not be any big deal. I doubt One Mag Mile is getting changed anytime soon, but how about the Oakley Beach? The Linkin Park Meteora Zoo? Money it's a hit Don't give me that do goody good bulls*** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Daley wants his Casino. That's all there is to it. That's why he and Stroger came up with the horrible tax and spend plans at the sametime, and its why he is pulling stuff like this out of his ass. He is going to try to shame Blagovich into giving him his casino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 24, 2007 -> 04:41 PM) Daley wants his Casino. That's all there is to it. That's why he and Stroger came up with the horrible tax and spend plans at the sametime, and its why he is pulling stuff like this out of his ass. He is going to try to shame Blagovich into giving him his casino. Actually, Blago is in favor of a casino already. The only issue between them is ownership and revenue shares from said venue. But I think you are right, its partially driven by negotiating that outcome. Its also partially the Olympic bid, at least for the city anyway. The county is just being Strogered again, as everyone should have expected if they voted for that loser. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Would anyone in Chicago really have a problem with naming rights to the EL if it meant the thing actually got fixed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 01:00 PM) Would anyone in Chicago really have a problem with naming rights to the EL if it meant the thing actually got fixed? Its nice in theory, but the repairs to the mass transit infastructure was pegged a something like $6 billion recently. It wouldn't even make a dent in what is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balta1701 Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 Flight Attendant: Please prepare for our landing in Tanzania... I'm sorry, it is now called "New Zanzibar" Excuse me. It is now called "Pepsi presents New Zanzibar." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_genius Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 01:29 PM) Its nice in theory, but the repairs to the mass transit infastructure was pegged a something like $6 billion recently. It wouldn't even make a dent in what is needed. and once the work is done, the bill will have ballooned to about $20 billion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 01:29 PM) Its nice in theory, but the repairs to the mass transit infastructure was pegged a something like $6 billion recently. It wouldn't even make a dent in what is needed. That is a great point, with a population of three million, even a 100 million dollar naming deal would be less than $35 per person. Hardly much of a tax savings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 02:10 PM) That is a great point, with a population of three million, even a 100 million dollar naming deal would be less than $35 per person. Hardly much of a tax savings. Probably half those 3 million don't pay taxes, or almost nothing, so you can double your savings to almost $70! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 QUOTE(Alpha Dog @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 05:02 PM) Probably half those 3 million don't pay taxes, or almost nothing, so you can double your savings to almost $70! But another 25,000,000 tourists and suburbanites pay sales taxes, so now it works out to about $1.50! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 01:00 PM) Would anyone in Chicago really have a problem with naming rights to the EL if it meant the thing actually got fixed? If some of the bill for repairs and upgrades can be footed by advertising, by all means, go for it. I have zero problem with it. Even if its only a small portion, that's better than zero. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted November 25, 2007 Share Posted November 25, 2007 They should sell the EL, maybe then it would be halfway reliable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 I think Old Navy Pier has a decent ring to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 05:55 PM) They should sell the EL, maybe then it would be halfway reliable. I rode on the DC Metro this past week. I was reminded how clean, quiet and reliable that system is. Did a little research though - they get a LOT more money per track mile than the CTA does. And their infrastructure isn't nearly as old either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 06:26 PM) I rode on the DC Metro this past week. I was reminded how clean, quiet and reliable that system is. Did a little research though - they get a LOT more money per track mile than the CTA does. And their infrastructure isn't nearly as old either. Yet the assumption is the CTA is corrupt and mismanaged. Which may be true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 07:00 PM) Yet the assumption is the CTA is corrupt and mismanaged. Which may be true. Oh I don't doubt its true. But as I've been saying, the problem is not JUST a corrupt and bloated bureaucracry running CTA. There are also other issues, and the system is in bad need of infrastructure work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 05:55 PM) They should sell the EL, maybe then it would be halfway reliable. They sold the Skyway off and around the country there are a lot of bridges and other infrastructure that is being sold to produce cash for governments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 QUOTE(NUKE @ Nov 26, 2007 -> 07:59 AM) They sold the Skyway off and around the country there are a lot of bridges and other infrastructure that is being sold to produce cash for governments. The sale of the Skyway is being used as an example as to exactly why Asset Monetization is a bad idea here in New Jersey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex Kickass Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 QUOTE(Texsox @ Nov 25, 2007 -> 08:00 PM) Yet the assumption is the CTA is corrupt and mismanaged. Which may be true. There are many problems which plague the CTA beyond bloated and inept management. The main one is that the collar counties get the bulk of per person RTA funds despite the fact that the infrastructure that needs the most upkeep and the bulk of the riders travel within Cook County. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonxctf Posted November 26, 2007 Share Posted November 26, 2007 you're right. we've become so accustomed to naming our stadiums and having sponsorships of every event... "Harris Bank Holiday Lights Parade" "LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon" i really dont care if there is one or two more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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