How To Not Support Local Business
Chattanooga Fun / Chattanooga Convention Center & Visitor Bureau has a new website built by a company in Arkansas (full disclosure: we did not bid on the project). It's an embarrassment that the marketing/promotions organization for Chattanooga has chosen a crappy out of town firm, when there are numerous, award-winning local options. Way to care about your hometown, Chattanooga Convention Center & Visitor's Bureau, and way to showcase an atrocious aesthetic. I'm still looking for / expecting the 'Paypal Verified!' logo.
Why couldn't we have a beautiful tourist site like Tennessee Vacation that we could all be proud of? Is it Chattanooga Can't Do now? Only if you're not paying attention.
Chattanooga News | By Josiah Roe | 3:08 PM
Comments
Yeah, preach it Josiah. I'm sure it's the mayor's fault somehow. Of course, the city doesn't have the cleanest record when it comes to hiring Web firms... Not sure I'd want to take a project from them.
Posted by: mark at July 6, 2007 3:21 PM
I also have no idea how the Chattanooga Convention Center decided that this guy/firm would be a good choice for their website given the other local firms.
Posted by: Noah at July 6, 2007 3:22 PM
I don't think I'm that against going out of town for work (after all, for every town except Chattanooga, we're an out-of-town firm), but the design seems like they said, "pull generic design 53 up and use that".
Posted by: Ed at July 6, 2007 3:23 PM
That said, regarding design, I'd get rid of the Google ads in between your post and your comments. It makes the page really hard to read.
Posted by: Ed at July 6, 2007 3:24 PM
Puking in my mouth is not the kind of Chattanooga Fun I'm talking about. That web-site hurts my feelings and offends my sensibilities. Does anyone want to go to the Aquarium?
Posted by: Aaron Robbs at July 6, 2007 3:29 PM
It's pretty mind-blowing. I realize I'm "in/aware of" the 'nooga design scene, so it's clear to me that there's some incredible talent all around town, but it seems to me you've really got to have your head in the sand not to know.
Posted by: Josiah at July 6, 2007 3:36 PM
The site should have just read:
Come visit the beautiful Scenic City, the only place on earth where we value tourists over our citizenry!
If ever there was a metaphor for how fucked up this city's priorities are, this has to be it.
Posted by: davidm. at July 6, 2007 3:41 PM
Oh, and I second Ed's comment about Google ads and would still love it if Bury the Lede didn't show up on main chattablogs page.
Posted by: davidm. at July 6, 2007 3:42 PM
The AR company is headed by Marla Johnson-Norris, listed as CEO and Customer Contact. Must be a fast-moving organization.
Anyway, she's an Auburn alum, just like Littlefield.
Gee, what a coincidence.
Yep, that's how this town works.
Posted by: Chris T. at July 6, 2007 4:42 PM
It's a shame that there are enough small design firms/freelancers in town who would love to get their hands on that business AND do a smash-up job. It would be even more shameful if not one of the in-town talents took a stab at the job.
Posted by: Mike K at July 8, 2007 10:00 AM
I think I'll complain to :
Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
2 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Telephone: (423) 756-8687 FAX: (423) 265-1630
Toll Free: (800) 322-3344
For advertising information contact Veda Bucher at (423) 424-4418 or at Vedab@chattanoogacvb.com.
Posted by: Rob at July 8, 2007 5:58 PM
Don't you guys have more important things to do?
Posted by: Ron Littlefield at July 9, 2007 8:44 AM
sadly, no.
Posted by: davidm. at July 9, 2007 11:57 AM
Caring about good design is actually part of my job description, along with being a requirement as an AIGA member. Nevermind it being something I care about as a Chattanoogan.
So sadly, no.
Posted by: Josiah at July 9, 2007 12:17 PM
Josiah-
I'm begging you. Please stop using the word "delightful."
You are not...
1. An elderly woman.
2. A restauranteur.
3. British.
Signed,
The Planet Earth
Posted by: Bill at July 9, 2007 1:42 PM
But feel free to substitute "lovely" in place of "delightful." That would be awesome.
Posted by: Micah at July 9, 2007 3:21 PM
But "lovely" could be construed as sarcasm, and I need a word that conveys unironic enthusiasm and pleasure, and "delightful" seems to do the job better than most.
Posted by: Josiah at July 9, 2007 4:21 PM
davidm said:
...would still love it if Bury the Lede didn't show up on main chattablogs page.
I have to agree with davidm......
Posted by: gid at July 9, 2007 5:29 PM
