Controversy over Visit Savannah Video Contest

It has some people toe tapping and swinging to the beat.  But for others, the first ever Youtube launch Visit Savannah video is far from the Savannah they know.  It’s even gotten response on the World Wide Web.





Savannah native Alan West said the video shows nothing of what this city is known for.





 “It’s pretty much on the corny side.  I’m very proud of my hometown. Savannah is steep in history and tradition and architecture, and I thought there are a lot better ways we can present Savannah than making Savannah look cartoon-ish,” West said.





Well if you don’t like it, Visit Savannah says make a new video.





“The contest is a response to the response.  It was all part of the plan of anticipating, ok so when local folks aren’t as crazy as people nationally, how are we going to respond to that? And we came out with a contest,” Visit Savannah President Joseph Marinelli said.





And the reward is $15,000, which is just as much as money as it took to make the first one.  Marinelli said the money comes from hotel and motel tax, but he said Visit Savannah isn’t concerned about spending $30,000 Youtube video.





 “Whether you like it or you don’t, with this we have over 14,000 views in less than seven to eight days, which tells me that we’re getting don what we hoped to get done,” Marinelli said.





However, West said using a goofy video just to get hits on a website is going to hurt the city’s reputation.





“Making promotional video isn’t my job.  It is Visit Savannah’s job apparently.  If I’m criticized at my job, I don’t turn around and tell my customers, if you think you can do better job, do it yourself.  I think that’s a childish way to respond to criticism,” West said.


Visit Savannah Video Contest Rules and Information: http://savannahvisit.com/images/userfiles/Revised_YouTube%20Tourism%20Video%20Contest%20Rules.pdf

Visit Savannah video spoof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo5OUjMXJVM&feature=email

Classic Visit Savannah promotional video created a few years ago: http://www.youtube.com/user/SavannahEst1733?blend=9&ob=5#p/u/1/5y7ejgpfwBw

Come to Life, Visit Savannah Conga Line: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXGnxj_eHEY