Buffalo: What's in a name?
Maybe Sunday will be the day to post viewer submissions? Here's one from Greg F. that discusses the city's name and how a change-up could effect the way we market ourselves to the world. Personally I love the name Buffalo and the image that it stands for. I emailed Greg to let him know that he might take some heat for this submission and he emailed back saying 'Let her rip!'. So here you are:
Let's face it, the farther one travels from Buffalo, the less people really know about the city. This is the reality that Buffalonians are fighting all the time. In fact, the negative or nonexistent reputation of Buffalo is what makes this site - with it's abundance of surprises for non-residents - so important.
I was thinking about this the other day and about how we could attract more tourism and greater population growth back to the city and the region, and I started to think like an advertiser with a product to sell. The product is the city itself, and a "sale" is someone visiting or moving to Buffalo. And while I was thinking about this, I thought about all great products and how they carry a brand loyalty, and how the brand name is held in high esteem. And it got me thinking about the name of our product, that is the name "Buffalo" itself and what the reputation of the name carries with the average, that is, uninformed consumer - OUTSIDE of the Buffalo area.
Someone who has no firsthand knowledge of the city. And I came to the conclusion, after all of my travels (I've lived in Rochester, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Buffalo) that for someone who has not been to Buffalo, someone with no real knowledge of the city, the name "Buffalo" does not carry a predominantly positive image.
Now before people get upset about this statement, I think we have to deal with the reality of the situation. Buffalonians and ex-pats are endlessly positive about their city. We understand the amazing value in this place. However, we have to acknowledge that we have all be fighting, yes quite literally fighting and defending and actively trying to reverse unfair stereotypes about the city for years and years. It's what makes Buffalo Rising such a fantastic site in that it can advertise to the world the TRUTH about Buffalo, which we all know is sorely necessary.
But the reality remains: in the absence of personal experience, people have a negative (or neutral/non-existent) reaction to the mention of "Buffalo". So I began to think, to really consider a radical idea - could our brand name be changed?
Well once I considered this possibility, it was like a light bulb going off in my head. It seems so much of my effort explaining and defending Buffalo to outsiders relates back to the initial cognitive disconnect of the statements we are presenting: "Buffalo has fantastic art", "Buffalo has a great cultural scene", etc. How much of this relates back to the person's uninformed, first-impression - stemming from the word "Buffalo"? It does sound a bit odd, does it not, to substitute "Moose, New York - it has great architecture", or "Elephant - it is a very progressive city". _ _It got me to consider the possibility (perhaps the sad but truthful possibility?) that maybe "Buffalo" itself is not the best name for this fantastic place.
I know this is controversial.
After all, why not "Buffalo"? It's a symbol, it's different, it's unusual, yes. But there are many reasons to consider a change. Perhaps the primary one is that the city shares the same name as an animal. Name another city of great esteem that is named this way? Frankly, it's at least confusing, and at best has always been odd, but because it's been around so long we don't really seem to want to think about just how awkward it is. Next, if we were to play "word association" with the word "buffalo", beautiful art and architecture generally do not spring to mind. A buffalo is many things: large, cool to look at, hairy, smelly, powerful, majestic, funky, natural, strong, silent, dangerous, bestial, proud, endangered, yes. It carries these and more subconscious connotations when it is used as a place name.
But what about the name Buffalo prepares people to think about great architecture, terrific food, a great sense of style, a beautiful river, rolling countryside, gorges, terrific homes, a progressive spirit, a high standard of living, etc. In using such a loaded word as "Buffalo" for a city name we subconsciously pre-inject some basic ideas into the uninformed person's mind. I think that the semantic baggage is there, and that along with the fact that a buffalo is an animal might make it an odd stretch of a name for a city.
So, if we really want to think about this, what if we changed it? What could we ever change it to? Well I started looking into the history of Buffalo. Of course there is "Beau Fleuve" but we would not be any more able to say this than the original settlers of the town. But there's another option. It turns out that "New Amsterdam" was the city's original name before the local population changed it to Buffalo. As I considered this fact, this actually struck me as a much more accurate depiction of what Buffalo really is about. The cognitive dissonance (big, hairy, powerful BUFFALO vs. great architecture, culture) disappeared completely. New Amsterdam seemed to FIT.
Why does it seem more fitting? Well for starters, everyone knows Amsterdam, and the name is therefore evocative of a world-class city (and Buffalo is a world-class city). In addition, "New Amsterdam":
1. suggests European character, sensibility and architecture - which Buffalo has...
2. evokes a certain civic progressive/liberal spirit - which Buffalo has...
3. has dignity, character and maybe echos a bohemian bent from the original, Amsterdam
The more I thought about it, the more it seemed to work. Fundamentally, the name "New Amsterdam" could be a brand which really evokes the true nature of the Buffalo experience.
"New Amsterdam" evokes a sense of place where art and architecture and commerce are completely free to reign supreme. Luxury is OK and fitting in a place like New Amsterdam. With "Buffalo" there is the old standby from outsiders - "you mean there's great art.. in BUFFALO??". But if you're like me, you ask yourself, why should it be such a surprise? The reality in Buffalo IS luxury - and creature comforts. I've lived in several places and I'm always amazed at the comfort and beauty and relative luxury available in Buffalo. So despite your personal prejudices - if you consider yourself down-to-earth or if you are an elite - either way - if you live here, you are part of a refined crowd. Even the common man is quite UN-common here, whatever your sensibility. So I don't think "New Amsterdam" causes any loss of character for the city.
But what about our beloved Buffalo? Aren't we all used to thinking about it, and saying it, and isn't the name interwoven into our collective experience? To that I say - Absolutely! That's why we could leave a significant part of the city as "Buffalo" but name the larger area as "New Amsterdam". Think of the French Quarter in New Orleans. New Amsterdam could include a small area that remains called "Old Buffalo" or just "Buffalo". That way, both sides win - there's still a "Buffalo" there somewhere, but the city can begin to rebrand as "New Amsterdam".
In any case, I fully understand that this idea is a bit "out there", but if it's any consolation, it's been done before. Throughout history, cities change their names for a variety of reasons (for example, see http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/29857 ). Anyway, I'd be really interested in hearing what some folks have to say about this suggestion. Hopefully I won't get flamed too badly, but if I do, at least the idea is out there as a possibility.
I think the name change is the least of Buffalo's problems. Changing the name wont change Albany, patronage, the unions, apartment flipping, incestuous business contracts or bullying indians.
Also we are working so hard to preserve Buffalo's heritage from the grain silos to the Central Terminal to the Pan Am Expo and the War of 1812. Changing Buffalos name would be severing our history and identity with out past. Suddenly when one reads about the War of 1812 or our Presidents Cleveland and Fillmore...it would be as if it happened in another city and thats going to make Buffalo just a rust belt city rather than the Queen of the Empire State.
In more metaphorical terms....changing our name would be like the no longer rich debutante with her gloves and jewels whom we love even without her money.....and separating her from it as though it never existed. It would be like putting her in a potatoe sack and covering her face with whore like makeup ... she'd be a stranger to everyone and a poor polluted screwed up mess just like every other rust belt whore that lost her way.
If we called it "Abundant-employment-for-twentysomethings-land" it wouldn't change anything.
And further, can you imagine the negative media we'd get out of this? Just another half-baked idea from a second-class city they'd say.
The national image will change long after many hard working daring individuals contribute daily to their small part of the community. Projects like Buffalo Old Home Week will impact the city in far better ways than changing our name, or building a giant casino, or building a giant bait and tackle shop will. If they manage to get two people to move back and start small businesses the impact will be far greater than anything else that comes from on high or pretends it can be a silver bullet, New Amsterdam indeed.
Well actually, there is a way we could make some money off this half-brained idea... sell the naming rights!
We could be NEXTEL presents Buffalo, NY.
Pride for sale, 20 million dollars.
newamsterdamrising.com?
nah, too many keystrokes
New Amsterdam sounds lovely....but I want to move to BUFFALO next Spring!!!
It may take awhile, but word is getting out. My husband, myself and
our 16 year old son are relocating to BUFFALO soon and our oldest son (24) and his fiancee will be joining us once we get settled. We have educated ourselves, read both negative and positive and we all truly BELIEVE that Buffalo is our future (and we have lived in several different cities).
Besides, I am planning to get a Buffalo tattoo (a Michael Morgulis design) and a New Amsterdam tat just wouldn't be the same ;)
I think that word of mouth and advertising to get folks aware of what Buffalo has to offer is what's needed. BR is doing an AMAZING job with this and I am doing my part by "talking up" Buffalo every chance I get, especially when people look at me and say "Buffalo???" I look at them like they just don't get it and then go into my one woman Chamber of Commerce speech!
I feel very connected to Buffalo...I almost feel as if Buffalo chose me, instead of the other way around and I can't wait to become a true Buffalonian (not a New Amterdamian or New Amsterdammer?)
Keep the faith....Buffalo IS RISING!!!
olygirl - are you coming back to Buffalo, or have you never lived in Buffalo?
sURE, CHANGE THE NAME AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR GOES RIGHT INTO THE TOILET. hMMM, tOILET, ny - WHAT A CONCEPT
Olygirl, I surely hope that you and your family are planning to attend Buffalo (not New Amsterdam) Old Home Week (Aug 24-27, 2006 * www.buffoldhome.com) -- you are precisely the types of folks we are excited to welcome back to Buffalo.
New Amsterdam, hmmm. I think I'd rather to continue to swim upstream (and face the tsunami, thanks Donn) than throw in the towel and rename. A number of other cities (Hoboken comes to mind) have managed to reposition themselves without renaming. We can do it!!
But if we HAD to rename, there are worse choices. I just don't feel it's necessary. I'd rather spend the time and energy working hard to fix what's wrong and correct the city's image near and far.
Changing the city's name is a great idea. . . for me to poop on!
I feel changing the city's name will accomplish nothing. If the city is called New Amsterdam instead of Buffalo, then all that will happen is "New Amsterdam" will now be seen as a run-down, snow covered city just as Buffalo is now. Fix the city, not the name.
However, if all of upstate NY, or maybe just WNY, or even just Erie County, can secede so to speak from New York State, the new state could certainly be called New Amsterdam, and within it would lie the city of Buffalo. And the city would then have a chance at thriving without being sucked dry by the leeches downstate as has been happening for decades and will continue to happen unless WNY is set free!
I appreciate your thoughts on it and all--I appreciate anyone's thoughts about how we might make our city more marketable--but I will have to disagree.
For one thing, it's a lot of trouble, enough so to maybe not even be possible, I shouldn't wonder. One might cite Bombay/Mumbai &/or Peeking/Beijing for a contrasting fact, but I'd argue that in both cases, a fundamental difference is that the cities were really re-Anglicizing their names, not so much reverting to an old one. Might qualify as re-branding, though, as well. Never really thought of it that way, more as nationalism, asserting their pre-colonial identity in one case.
Beyond that, what is "marketable" in a city name isn't probably like a brand, an "item", created from nothing... if nobody's ever made a flam-doodle before, a good catchy name might help sales. But cities have never been named in this way- the names of cities are historical, political and geographical moments, and really, that's all. If NYC is a good brand, it has more to do what the character of the city than the name. Reverse-"branding", maybe you'd call that.
So, no. No New Amsterdam, even if it was Ellicott's original name. And really, I love Amsterdam! To be honest, if Buffalo were a new Amsterdam rather than just being called as much, we'd be doing quite well.
Seriously, can we get a koffee shop here? ;)
gregf- i have never lived in Buffalo and I've only visited once...it was enough to hook me :)
My husband and I were raised in San Diego and couldn't wait to leave in our twenties. Since then, we have lived in Portland, Spokane, A small town in Tennessee and Olympia. Neither of us have ever lived on the East Coast or the Northeast.
We are Pioneers! We love history and architecture and believe that Buffalo is the REAL DEAL. I personally love that chains have not completely taken over, that there are affordable, old, beautiful houses and that Buffalo doesn't feel too pretentious. It has a soul and the people seem genuine as well.
We realize that no place is perfect; Buffalo needs some lovin' for sure. And just as our Country could stand to learn a few things from other Countries, Buffalo's City planners and citizens need to look to other cities for ideas that may work. No need to totally reinvent the wheel.
I am ready to become a "student" of Buffalo and Buffalonians. I want to know everything I can about this unique corner of the world.
I hope to be an involved, passionate citizen and to earn my Buffalo "stripes".
My husband drives trucks for a living which allows us to live almost anywhere. I have worked primarily in the Library field for the last 6 years and I realize good jobs are hard to come by. I must be diligent, after all, it is tough to find good paying jobs in Olympia as well and I believe the unemployment rate in Portland is on par with Buffalo. Difference being that it will cost you over 200k for a decent house.
Marti-
We will be traveling for the next few months and it would be fantastic to be in Buffalo that week!
Yep, we are actually going to "live" on the road until Spring in order to save $$ for our move...I plan to keep record of our adventure with a blog (once my 16 year old son teaches me how on our laptop!)
I truly hope to visit Buffalo a few times to do some exploring, house hunting, etc. I am so excited!
Thank you Marti, for such kind words...
Every morning, the first thing I do is to check in with Buffalo Rising to see what's happening.
To steal a line from Natalie Merchant: " I am blessed and lucky"
eac-
My daughter and her boyfriend almost missed their flight home from South Africa (via Amsterdam) because of the great Koffee Shops there!!!
Isn't New Amsterdam a night club in NYC???
Queeneyes,
Name changes do not eliminate stigma. Just ask Negroes (1950s), Blacks (1970s), African-Americans (1980s), and people of color (1990s).
People do know about Bufalo outside of the region. What they don't seem to realize is that it's a freestanding metropolitan area. Go beyond the Greal Lakes region, and you'll encounter more people that believe Buffalo is an industrial satellite city of New York; kind of like Neward, only a bit farther away.
The eBay house flipping crisis hasn't even registered as a blip on the charts in Cleveland. Why? I think part of the problem is that when people buy $15,000 East Side houses on eBay, they think it's a bargain for a property in New York, the same place where legions of Type-A movers and shakers rent broom closets for thousands a month. Offer them the same house in Cleveland, and they'll pass, even though real estate proces are higher there, because it's in Ohio; a world away from the Big Apple.
Typos. Yuck.
> Name changes do not eliminate stigma
Witness retarded, mentally retarded, mentally handicapped, mentally impaired, mentally disabled, developmentally disabled, and mentally delayed.
Dan, I think many of those choices ARE better and in fact less stigmatizing than "retarded"...but maybe not to other people...
Cobalt: I also think that the evolution of African American identity and pride and advancement has gone hand in hand with name changes.. the changes didn't cause this, but they did make people think and did eliminate old ways of thinking. I mean, "Negro" .. this evokes both a different time AND a different meaning/attitude about African Americans than exists today.
speaking with another person about this issue, and he happens to be a very successful marketing/advertising consultant.. his view was that Buffalo needed to become known for something exemplary that is there (such as Seattle's Microsoft and Starbucks, etc) - something very positive AND unique to that area, AND well-known to many people around the country - and then the city can continue to leverage from there. His view was also that my strategic thinking was good, along the right track, but that it would be more useful to champion home-grown business successes that were truly national and international in scope
just a few thoughts
Something to note: Designer David Bitton recently picked "Buffalo" as the name of his jeans collection. Buffalo is sexy when you wear it right.
gregf-
I went to bed last night thinking about the very thing you mentioned...
I live an hour away from Seattle and I was tossing ideas around in my head, actually, my brain just wouldn't calm down and let me sleep!
At any rate, association is key...Say San Diego (where I grew up) and people think sun, beaches, palm trees. Ditto for L.A. Portland, people envision trees, rivers, clean air. Nashville=Country Music.
Vermont =maple syrup...
I certainly don't claim to KNOW Buffalo...Before I decided to move there, I associated Buffalo with Ani Difranco! Before Ani, I guess I thought "snow" like a lot of folks (thanks to the media).
People need a Buffalo education!
I have a an idea for a commercial, capitalizing on Buffalo's "not too big, not too small" size...with beautiful images of Buffalo's parks, architecture, homes, waterfront...insert a Family looking for a new place to call home...Goldilocks and the Three Bears???
Silly huh?! Hey, I'm trying!
Folks really do need images to associate with a place.
omg, I've got it. The Buffalo Rising Online BUFFALO COMMERCIAL CONTEST. The coolest, hippest, most positive commercial someone can put together for BUFFALO NY. Done in partnership with the Buffalo Convention and Visitor's Bureau. Get out your digital cameras, music, Final Cut, After Effects and other video editing tools and cut something together.. may the best director win! I think this could be a great contest... Then the BCVB could use a state grant (?) to play the commercial in specific target markets.. think COOL HIP COUNTER-CULTURE areas that are SURROUNDED by REDNECKS (lol) .. places people want to LEAVE to find every kind of urban advantage they are looking for... places that are TOO HOT that people are tired of (hint: DESERT cities, TEXAS).. or places that are progressive and nice but TOO EXPENSIVE (CALIFORNIA, anyone?)..
I like your thinking oly
gregf-
Maybe i'll quit looking for work in my field (Libraries) and try to get a job in advertising...or go to work for the Visitors Bureau?!? LMAO!
;)
Hey you want an idea for a Buffalo Commercial...check out this idea from a friend of mine who posted for the Tishman after we were joking around
"The Tishman kinda reminds me of Marlo Thomas in "That Girl" in NYC or Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis...with big hair and a 60s "A" dress .... coming out and throwing her hat up in the air.
You know it would be a good commercial for Buffalo, sexy girls and maybe update it with hunky guys infront of famous Buffalo buildings throwing their hats in the air...proclaiming what a wonderful high energy urban city Buffalo is"
The more I think of it the more I like it, especially now that we have NEW ERA baseball caps. Imagine big muscled guys in front of famous Buffalo buildings and throwing their Baseball caps up in the air.....and big breasted Buffalo Girls tossing their hats in the air in front of famous Buffalo Buildings .....it would be an ode famous TV shows (of which Buffalo has had its share of TV shows set or referenced here). It would be high energy retro...and could be incredibly incredibly cool.
sounds kinda dumb, reminds me of talking proud compaign and that plain sucked
maybe i'm not seeing it
"A" for effort though
N.O.
Keep "Buffalo" as Buffalo.
No new names.
Give it time - it was just a hundred years ago that Buffalo WAS one of the "centers of the universe".
"Buffalo" is a fine name with a proud history.
I live in Las Vegas, have lived in London, and Honolulu - believe me - Buffalo's "image" is one of great affection to this city - people always remark how fiercely loyal and loving we all are of our hometown.
I just read about Buffalo in NY Times regional section today (9/18/06). Don't know if anyone else has so commented, but I believe even the word 'buffalo' is a bit of a misnomer, as the American animal usually referred to as such should actually be called a 'bison.' A buffalo, as I understand it, is a very different animal used for agricultural tasks, mainly in Asia, often called the 'water buffalo.' If this is true, your city is not only named after an animal, but an Asian animal. Nothing against Asia, of course.