Attention Greater Oklahoma City Chamber: It’s Identity Time
Let me start off with an acknowledgment: newspaper columnists who think they can single-handedly pull off the creation of a buzz word or nickname are asking for trouble. The most talented sportswriter in this state still finds himself virtually alone in referring to the Thunder as the “Boomers.”
So as I proceed in this endeavor, let me start off by saying “The Big Friendly” isn’t my idea. Instead, it was an idea thought up by veteran civic booster Lee Allan Smith and promoted with equal vigor by the equally legendary civic booster Ray Ackerman.
I wrote about this “Big Friendly” idea in my column Tuesday and how it had been picked up by the NBA. After watching the national coverage this past week, this city is at a crossroads: the opportunity to craft a new image is here. Either we let the national media continue to tie our image to disasters (the bombing, the embellished “Grapes of Wrath,” tornadoes, etc) or we can go all out with “The Big Friendly.”
I say let’s go with “The Big Friendly.” And let’s not be shy. This is a challenge to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. You guys thought enough of this title that from what I’ve seen you sought and obtained a copyright. I know you’re out there reading this blog – seeing if I’m writing stuff you like, something that might catch you by surprise – or if I’m being mischievous.
The national media is at this moment in love with this town. And by all accounts the Thunder have done well representing who we are – a team, not without it’s flaws, but relatively free of ego and willing to work hard to prove the skeptics wrong. When the Lakers return to Oklahoma City Friday, media in tow, it’s hard to see how this won’t be THE MOMENT to either go for a win cementing a new brand for what we’ve been all along: “The Big Friendly.”
ONE FINAL THOUGHT: I know there are a lot of talented young readers who follow this blog, and more than a few of you seem to have a knack with graphic design. Feel free to come up with a logo or design for The Big Friendly that maybe folks can use Friday night on homemade signs, etc. I’ll be happy to post the art on this site, along with credits to creators, etc.
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Comments
That doesn’t surprise me at all LordGerald. Basically, we’re an unknown outside of Grapes of Wrath, the Sooners, the bombing and tornadoes. That’s why this seems to be such a great opportunity – we’ve spent a dozen years turning around our own self perception. Maybe it’s time to expand on that.
I still think it sounds a little hokey, but for lack of anything better, I guess we might as well go with it.
Coming from Indianapolis, I can honestly say that INDY was known as ‘NAP’ town due to its non-descript/vanilla image in United States.
However, the city leaders in the mid-eighties came up with the self-proclaim title of ‘The Amateur Sport s Capital of the World’. Today, we now realize that enthusiastic and passionate promotion of a community can lead to great economic development and signifcant growth. Just ask Indianapolis.
Recall reading the Big Friendly motto on Wikipedia and thinking it was an old nickname that never caught on. While I don’t disagree that OKC and Oklahoma are often commented on by visitors on how friendly we are, it just comes across as being lame somehow. Can’t really explain it. It is just flat. Then it seems to be a rip-off of the “Big Apple” and “Big Easy” (not that I understand those either…LOL)
As I commented in Steve’s original article, the NBA use of it seems odd…something about the Durantula seeking its Prey, welcome to the Big Friendly. What’s friendly about that?
Not to mean that we shouldn’t take advantage of something like the playoffs afford, but if it isn’t already in place it is too late now. There was a Chamber study done right before the Centennial and the conclusion was most had no opinion about Oklahoma (good or bad). Sure, some cited the GofW, the Bombing and the Sooners, but for most Oklahoma was a blank slate. This is the good/bad news. With a blank slate, you can craft whatever image you want. This study was done before the Centennial and here we are 3 or 4 years after the study…
And Steve hit upon the problem…it isn’t really what others think about Oklahoma, its what we think about ourselves…and I think far too many have this negative self-image.
I have never been ashamed to say that I am a native Oklahoman and MAPS did nothing to change my pride in my home City/State. The MAPS projects have been a non-factor to my self-esteem. I know others don’t feel that way. To each their own.
I do like it, but how do you translate that into a culture? When I think of a “Big Friendly” city I think of lots of warm places, culture, and even a little slow paced. I really like the idea for those reasons but I haven’t seen this per say as the theme moving forward. Up and coming, world class, bold, is what seems to be implied. When I think of “Big Friendly” the first city that I think of is Savannah. Slow paced, lots of green space, bike ‘friendly’, largely respectful, full of rich (though not necessarily extreme)culture, and a firm discipline for the preservation of their historical urban fabric.
Don’t get me wrong, I have been wondering what “image” OKC was going to adopt and when so I am game for trying something. I would much prefer “Friendly” over “Bold” too.
I agree that “The Big Friendly” sounds like a complete rip off if the big apple and the big easy. It makes us seem like we can’t come
up with anything original.
I feel the best nicknames are never choosen but given. If Oklahoma City really is this great progressive place people should consider cool then a great image will emerge on it’s own.
This sounds like the kid in school who’s trying so hard to be part of the cool crowd and will do anything to belong.
Please don’t sell out OKC just to fit in.
I still like “Capital of the New Century” a lot.
@Larry: go to the NBA store online and look at the context and design where this is used. The part about “Durantula” is in huge block letters, and then very small underneath it says:
Welcome to the Big Friendly
Home to Kevin Durant
They used the same design for quite a few other teams that have big stars.
Phoenix: Welcome to the Valley of the Sun
Orlando: Welcome to O-Town
LA: Welcome to the City of Angels
etc
Also as far as “why?”: the NBA probably asked Clay Bennett what our nickname was and he of course gave them what Gaylord buddy Lee Alan Smith has been pushing.
Terrible idea. Not that I have a better idea for a nickname….well, maybe, I think not having a nickname would be better than having “the big friendly” as a nickname. Sounds like something a child molester would call himself.
I’m with jbrown I still think it sounds a little hokey, but I think “Capital of the New Century” sounds better.
And as for Barry Tramel being the “most talented sports writer in Oklahoma?” – seriously? If that’s the case, maybe we should also focus on new standards for sports journalists while we think of a branding phrase for our city.
The Big Friendly? No, No, No!
I didn’t know that we needed a nickname, if so we can come up with somethng much better.
“The Big Friendly” sounds like too much of a play off of NOLA’s “The Big Easy.” The OKC Chamber needs to craft a line that’s unique and original. Maybe they should work with creatives in their 20s who are embracing the new vision in OKC and sticking around to make it a better place rather than jumping on an inner tube to ride the Brain Drain out of town (rather than listening to tired, old, multi-millionaire ad guys who haven’t had a fresh perspective since the actual days of ‘Mad Men.’)
However, if they do move forward with “The Big Friendly,” in order for it not to be false advertising, it needs to be “The Big Friendly (unless you’re wearing an Obama t-shirt.”
I’ve lived in OKC almost all my life, am raising an awesome family here and have nothing but hope for the future. But from my experience, displaying anything that goes against the dominant, local, right wing conservative, evangelical protestant, heterosexual culture will quickly let you know the limits of “The Big Friendly.”
Even with the preface “not my idea’…could you be seeking some sort of legacy with this article, Steve? 
BOOOOO to the ‘Big Friendly’… Ackerman doesn’t ALWAYS have great ideas.
I think playing up OKC’s only REAL nickname would be best. That would be ‘OKC’… make sure everyone knows exactly what that stands for.
I can see the commercials now… “What does OKC stand for?…. fun… excitement…. what the heck ever” The could all be themed towards different key parts of our heritage. Cowboys, Indians, etc.
Capital of the New Century? How is that a description of Oklahoma City and not Topeka, Sacramento, or Albany?
The key to any tag line is its believability. “Capital of the New Century” is not believable to the rest of the country…sounds a little self pretentious. Outsiders almost always use the term “friendly people” when describing the thing they like best about OKC. That makes it a great tag. We can be proud of being friendly…and we should be. There are alot of visuals that could be used to illustrate “The Big Friendly”. And you can criticize Allen, Ackerman and that group, but they do know adverstising, pr and promotion.
It IS better than “capitol of the new century”, but I’m just not feeling it. The thing about nicknames and the like is that you can’t really engineer them, it has to be an organic bottom up process. If we are going to play this game, though, I prefer the “The ____ City” formulation to the “Big ____”.
I coined the nickname “Action City USA” years ago (in more sedate times) on the internet in a fit of irony, only to see it make it onto wikipedia in all seriousness. It was meant in the same spirit as Birmingham UK is known as The Celestial City.
Platemaker, I assure you that I’m not one to steal credit, and I certainly would not dare to take credit for an idea belonging to Mr. Smith or Mr. Ackerman. Agree or disagree with various aspects of their careers, but do not underestimate their already well-established legacies. I’m just a guy who knows how to type compared to these two.
At the end of the day, I’ll just be happy if airline pilots stop calling us “Oak City.” God, do I hate that.
Brian, I hear that! The pilots may be from Tulsa as Tulsans are the only other people I have heard call us that on a regular basis. Not that long ago, heard one of the Weather Channel people call us Oak City too and apparently the director said something correcting them. They decided to ask Al Roker (his new show had just premiered) and he told them it is Oklahoma City or OKC.
“The Big Friendly” sounds like too much of a play off of NOLA’s “The Big Easy.” The OKC Chamber needs to craft a line that’s unique and original. Maybe they should work with creatives in their 20s who are embracing the new vision in OKC and sticking around to make it a better place rather than jumping on an inner tube to ride the Brain Drain out of town (rather than listening to tired, old, multi-millionaire ad guys who haven’t had a fresh perspective since the actual days of ‘Mad Men.’)”
I agree with Brian’s comment above, they’re just an overpriced ad agency past their prime. I do like The Friendly City MUCHHH better than “The Big Cheesy, err I mean Friendly.
Personally, like Robin William’s “Redneck Venice”…LOL
Remember Charles Barkley’s (?) cow tipping remark about Oklahoma? They are still selling “Official Cow Tipping Association” merch at the airport. Embrace the stereotypes, make fun of it yourself (stop taking everything so seriously) and maybe even make some bucks off it in the process.
Not feeling “The Big Friendly” and I’m thinking these suggestions might be more accurate;
“The Big Sprawl”
“720 Square Miles of Friendliness”
“Surface Parking for All!”
“Conservative-ish”
“We’ll get there”
(personlly I like “Oak-City”…it’s catchy)
“Okie Diddly-Dokie”
“Reaching for Tomorrow”
(sorry Steve I couldn’t resist and this thread was starting to get a little to serious for the topic)
First off, what in the world makes anyone think WE are any more \friendly\ than anywhere else in this country, much less \The Big Friendly\??? That’s a very weird statement to make. Go anywhere in any town USA, and their locals will say that their city has \the most friendly people you will ever meet\ As far as counting on the NBA to make a name for us, LordGerald’s first post is what is the actual truth….the NBA is a lame low tier Pro Sport that not very many people watch or even follow anymore. It’s an obvious copy off two of the most famous \BIG APPLE and BIG EASY\ brands….have we not copied enough from other cities that we try to claim as our own and as our greatest leap to \the big league’s\???PLEASE!
Merick, have you spent any considerable time in other big cities? We may not be the friendliest, but compared to most cities I’ve been to, we are definately up there. There is a reason why out of town visitors almost unanimously say this when they leave. It is not something just made up and a mass delusion by people when they leave. I don’t have strong feelings one way or the other about the “Big Friendly” moniker, but friendly is definately appropriate in describing how tourists are treated. But thanks for jumping into the pool, always good to hear another voice.
Uhh-Brent, yes I have spent time in other big cities. You make my case in point by your statement of \but friendly is definitely appropriate in describing how tourists are treated.\ What city, big to small, wouldn’t treat their tourists in a friendly manner? Like I said, it is a strange/weird thought process to come up with a copycat at best \moniker\ to claim our so called place in the \big leagues\.
Yes slackmeyer, what was I thinking. I try not to conform with the Oklahoma way of your either with us or against us banter by the few that run and own this city.
I can only speak to Oklahoma City’s friendliness as it relates to the following (where I have either lived or spent considerable time):
Boston
New York
San Francisco
Dallas
We are indeed \friendlier\ than all of these places. Of course, due to our \go along to get along\ culture we are also far more passive-aggressive, so one wonders how truly heartfelt our friendliness really is sometimes.
If you say something stupid in New York, a New Yorker will tell you \that is stupid.\ If you says something stupid in OKC, a OKCer will smile, wait until you leave, and then tell everyone else that \you are stupid.\
If that is friendliness, then we got it. Hear! Hear! for the \The Big Friendly!\
I believe our perceived identity to outsiders is even worse than I thought. I just got back from Arlington, TX, where I spent an entire week at a training conference. The 71 people there were all from Texas. When I introduced myself as being from Oklahoma City, the home of the OKC Thunder, I got looks of bemusement and confusion. After talking to everyone there, I would guess 9 out of 10 people had no idea that we (OKC) had an NBA team. I think the success of the Thunder helps our image, but it is incremental and we are a long way from being recognized as this progressive little gem on the southern plains.