New ad campaign, "Chicago Not in Chicago," aimed at bolstering tourism and creating a buzz

The city of Chicago has launched a new ad campaign titled “Chicago Not in Chicago” designed to increase tourism. Created by Chicago ad agency Energy BBDO, the pro bono campaign, which includes magazine ads and video content, spotlights a long list of home-grown innovations, from the cellphone to the skyscraper to house music, that have changed the world, but that few people know originated in the Windy City.

In the inaugural video for the campaign, Mayor Lori Lightfoot says, “Since its founding, Chicago has influenced the most important cities across the globe. The high-rises, mobile phone, Ferris wheel, house music, coffee maker, soap opera and many other things were all created here in Chicago. However, only a few people know that — until now.”

The Mayor's office said the campaign "aims to change the brand perception of Chicago, bolster resident pride, and attract new residents, businesses, and tourists."

In the first episode, of a series of videos that will follow, passengers are taken on a NYC double-decker tour bus past landmarks like the Empire State Building, and other iconic buildings, reminding them that the first skyscraper was invented here. The staged tour continues with the guide pointing out clubs in Manhattan that play house music, which was also first created in Chicago, and so on.

The campaign will live on this site featuring videos and information that the city hopes will be widely shared on social media. Other cities focused on, as of now, include Berlin (popular for house music that was invented in Chicago by Frankie Knuckles); Sao Paulo (known for graffiti art that was invented in Chicago by Edward Seymour in 1947) and Mexico City (where soap operas are a part of Mexican pop culture. The first soap opera was invented here in 1930 by actress Ina Phillips and aired on WGN-TV). 

(https://chicagonotinchicago.com/, NYC "Chicago Not in Chicago" video here: https://youtu.be/1X97VBrNSmk)