Buffalo. For Real.

This is a great video -- it made me want to live in Buffalo that was in the video, instead of the one I actually live in.

It sucks. I'm for realzz, yo!

For real?

I'm a little disappointed, this could have been so much better.

It reminded me of a Ken Burns documentary, pan, pan, pull, pan pan, push. Who are they targeting? trying to bring snowbirds back? I don't mean to be overly critical but this seems like a weak copy of the Detroit campaign. Buffalo is and can be much more upbeat, this really depressed me if anything.

The imagery is wonderful and makes me proud to be a Buffalonian…but a person watching this video who not familiar with Buffalo would think that the City ends at Michigan Ave to the East and the Buffalo River to the South. There is a REAL Buffalo outside of the Elmwood Village & the waterfront in neighborhoods like Black Rock, Polonia, Kaisertown, South Buffalo, Lovejoy, etc.

I like the branding idea. However, there was an awful lot of 'rust-belt' in the first 20 seconds. If I already have negative view of Buffalo, this doesn't make me want to keep watching. Who will be watching this loong advertisement, anyway? This video needs more smiles, sports and vibrant imagery.

I like the message, though. It's a good start.

Why did they have Santa Claus do the narration? Trying to sell Geritol to the masses or something?

Awesome views of the City but still playing to the remnants of yesteryear's past..which is great but how about highlighting the emergence of the New Economy and Innovation underway?

"You might be lucky and get snowed in?" Come on, we are way beyond that aren't we. We are a City alive with people and functions and so much more than architectural icons of eras gone by (which I do love the architecture but).

Is that Saul Alkin? Great voice.

It's a good video, gives us a good hometown feel and that "All American City" look. Nice job.

Beautiful images? Sure. We saw those in "This Place Matters". What is "real" about Buffalo is that it is a city that is re-inventing itself out of necessity, and it is desirable to new urbanists who seek to be part of turning a place around (as well as to many people who left the city).

Take a camera and follow the folks at PUSH or UrbanRoots or ReUse or Sweetness_7 or the gallery movement on Amherst and you can capture the authentic initiatives taking place around Buffalo. This is the image we want to project: renaissance, collaboration, pioneering movements, artistic, etc. Throw in some images of our iconic and fabulous architecture and we have a winner.

At least they showed people enjoying the city for what it has and working to make it even better. But, I guess if it was about people knocking themselves down and complaining bitterly that it's not as good as other places, it would have turned into a two-hour documentary.

If buildings like Riverside Mens Shop continue to be demolished, there will be a lot less of the real Buffalo standing.

Is there nothing you people won't hate on?

The reason throngs of people and tons of businesses left Buffalo is because the politicians (Democratic Party) taxed everyone and every business to death. Businesses won't go to Buffalo because of taxes. If Buffalo lowered taxes, people and businesses would come back. That is the bottom line!!!

Yes - Buffalo has many problems but -- Buffalo has some of the nicest and most sincere people I have met (and I have traveled some). It is a prety city in many areas and a nice blend of being not too small and not too big. I think it is a great place to live.
I'm not that crazy about the slogan though, "Buffalo for Real"?

"Buffalo For Real", brought to you by a blonde surfer girl from Southern California.

http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/gallery/miss-california-pic/

Love the concept, HATE the tag line. The CVB should have reached out to the community (in the form of a contest perhaps) since it seems the general public can come up with better idea's then hired "professionals".

Also I'll have to agree with the previous posters, this video certainly appeals to an older crowd but any younger person is going to lose interest in the first 10 seconds. Create a separate video that appeals to the younger generation since ultimately thats the demographic you want moving into the city. Include shots of Chippewa, skiing at Holiday Valley, non professional sporting events, and something that would appeal to the gay community (yes, really).

I remember that Talking Proud ad. A friend heard it on the radio and thought that they were saying, "Buffalo's got the spirit, *&$%ing proud! $%&#ing proud!"

I think that's much better.

Some should have shown this to the NY Times writer, the governor, and the downstate pols that think UB 2020 is a joke and WNY is asking for 5 billion in enomic development aid- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/09/nyregion/buffalo-pins-hope-for-revival-on-university-expansion.html

I know it isn't the best place to post this but I didn't see anyone share this article yet...

The logo looks very 90's but maybe that is the look they were going for and the video is well done but as someone else pointed out definitely targeting an older audience.

I know some other bigger city already has this moniker, but I've always thought this slogan was more deserving for Buffalo ....."if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere".....because man it ain't easy getting anything done in this town...

The new branding does fall short. It's somewhat in a gray area. Doesn't seem to be a statement to draw in people.

Something like Buffalo: Treasures and Pleasures might have been more pinpointing.

Stop! No snides on pleasures, please.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13357277

Can Buffalo be without HSBC

I agree that the tag line "For Real" is pretty lame.. Very proud that they featured the ice maze and the Powder Keg Festival at the end.. But what about shots of all our amazing summer festivals?? What about more on Lake Erie and proximity to Canada?? They whole video seemed to focus on architecture, which is amazing in Buffalo, but there are many more things for people to do in Buffalo than look at buildings.. Dissappointed!! For Real!!

I kept waiting for a deep thought by Jack Handy but nothing? It's a well made video with a great message but the old guy took forever to make the point, by then I wanted to fall asleep.

No one has picked up on this...but I'm glad they are focusing on the name "Buffalo" instead of "Buffalo Niagara." Sure, Niagara is the sexy name that gets people to our region - and yes, people across the country have no idea only 16 miles separates the city and the fall. But it's nice to see Buffalo stand on its own two feet when promoting our region. Nice video too!

rumor has it that James Earl Jones's agent was contacted for the narration role....they apparently declined due to prior committments already scheduled..too bad...would have given Buffalo a little star power

what if you took the same footage and recorded different narration for different audiences with different voice actors? saul elkin has a marvelous voice, no doubt about it. but what if ani difranco did a track?

Aw, don't diss on the narrarator (Saul Elkin)!

This is a really helpful video if you work in higher education student recruitment marketing (which I do). But I wish it was a little more appealing to youngwe people. Maybe Robby or Johnny Goo Goo or Ani DiFranco can narrate one for a younger, hipper audience.

Great videography !
The rest... YAWN!

Unfortunately it will still take a few years to see any pay out for this type of thing. Also with all the current and proposed projects going on (Statler, the parks, Buffalo train terminal, ect) this are going to get lost in the mix.

I think the Palladium Boots/Detroit series is a better example of what could be done to showcase the Buffalo I know and love. Everything that is accomplished here is done on a grassroots level by people undeterred by the lack of government support or the grousing public. Right now, Buffalo's most exciting developments are our emerging neighborhoods, DIY art and music scene, and rapidly evolving food culture. Architecture and history have a place, and they have added greatly to the quality of life here, but they aren't all that Buffalo has to offer. Just my two cents.

http://www.palladiumboots.com/exploration/detroit

The production quality of this video is good. But. . .

1. It's not 'cool'. 'Cool' (or should I say, 'Hot') is more important than ever.

2. This video actually depicts Binghamton or (insert any other upstate city).

3. I love Buffalo, but I know absolutely zero people who are into 'cultural tourism'. Buffalo needs an image change - this video will do nothing to change the national preconception...unless you are over age 50.

After doing some research, I'm somewhat changing my opinion, and bring something interesting.

from what I gathered John Paget is the guy who produced this and deserves many props. The production is top notch. The gripe I had was with the pacing/direction and I can understand where they are going with it and can appreciate it in that context.

With that said I was messing around and combined the video with a more upbeat Buffalo song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-uTlt-Gd-s

oOO GOd.. i have to say I've never heard the talking proud buffalo song..Its horrible!!

I do love the "real" concept and the comment about "sameness" and not being able to find America along the thruway. Absolutely brillant and soo true.

To the promotions though...Buffalo needs a tourism/image/environment related make over and I feel these 2 promotion videos did a pretty good job highlighting whats being done to change the "Buffalo Psyche".

No, this is not a video for young "hot", trendy people. Remember, they have NO money and overall, wouldn't be interested in the majority of what the city/area have to offer. The tourism board is aiming towards people (established well off people) who would VACATION..weekenders..that would come to see the falls and are looking for something different. Its in the facts, nature oriented/ architecture oriented / cultural tourists SPEND MORE than your average tourist. If buffalo needs one things its more people here spending money.

Honestly do we need to be reminded of our horrible sports teams in every piece of Buffalo related media? Has anybody read the article about those meatheads from wgr 550? What a bunch of idiots.

The are sports teams everywhere and there are festivals everywhere..I for one am glad we're trying to focus on some other things. Hell, the lines at the Taste of Buffalo and Allentown are far too long anyways and we don't need to do any more free promoting for our multimillionare sports team owners either.

I guess a few people have remixed the video, this one is very good, albiet a bit negative, ok very negative. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu4FHr3g4r4&feature=youtu.be