Building and Recognizing Well Deserved Buzz (I Mean "Buse")

I'm proud of so many of my marketing accomplishments, especially my role in helping to shape a new mindset around "consumer-generated media," but one area where I still feel like there's more work to do before I can write home to mom revolves around marketing a compelling vision for my adopted hometown, Cincinnati. (I'm originally from Pasadena, California).  I've been an active participant in these efforts, and frankly, it's not the easiest sell -- not because the region doesn't have incredible potential and a die-hard cadre of evangelists, but because there are so many misperceptions, stereotypes, and even oft-repeated Mark Twain jokes about Cincinnati being a skip or two behind everyone else.  It's also a city that suffered a painful scar from racial unrest in 2001, an incident that's unlikely to elude Google search results any time soon.

Which is one reason why I think Raymond Buse's recognition this past week as "PR Professional of the Year" is such a huge and noteworthy deal.  Buse, head of PR for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, was recognized by PR Week magazine for his 15-year effort to promote Cincinnati “as a dynamic, progressive, and vibrant place to both live in and visit.”  Indeed!  Buse -- his nick name, appropriately, is "Buzz" -- has played a key role in facilitating economic development initiatives, wiring the entire riverfront via free Wi-Fi (in partnership with Lily pad and Time Warner Cable Business Class), and turning perceived weaknesses into competitive advantages. For example, in 2005, he fielded a personal call from Jay Leno after initiating a "Blitz Jay Leno Day" to turn the tide on all the Cincinnati Bengals jokes.  In 2003, he helped introduce to the world Sudsie, the World's largest soap sculpture, made of 7,500 pounds of Ivory Soap (Procter & Gamble is based in Cincinnati).  Recently, Ray's been turning over lots of rocks on the CGM front,  enrolling me in efforts to think about how CGM might unleash the latent advocacy and evangelism so many residents have for this city.  We're in the very early stages of this exciting exercise.

I first met Ray back in 2000, shortly after I left P&G to start PlanetFeedback, a venture funded web feedback portal that eventually folded into a Cincinnati-based search technology firm, Intelliseek, which in turn eventually became part of a three-way company roll-up (BuzzMetrics, Intelliseek, and Israel-based Trendum) under Nielsen.  Not surprisingly, just about every "outsider" pushed me to start PlanetFeedback on the West or East Coast, but Cincinnati seemed to have a number of understated competitive advantages: lower burn rate, high employee retention, superb pool of marketing and research talent.  To his credit, Ray helped organize one of the first local movements to support the young entrepreneurs (there were quite a few of us) seeking to catalyze economic development in the region.  This was deeply appreciated, and it's important to note that Ray remained a consistent believer and champion of our vision even when the dot.com correction of 2002 sprayed cynicism over the entire digital landscape.  He's been indefatigable -- always genuine, sincere, and authentic in his advocacy -- and I know other tech entrepreneurs like Intelliseek founder Mahendra Vora, who worked with Buse on the important promotion of his technology park in neighboring Hamilton, enthusiastically agree. 

Thanks, Buzz.  If you keep believing, we will too!

Comments

[ranmullins]

I really couldn't agree more. Buz has really set the example for follow on generations and to his credit...this guy's mind is more creative today than when he started the job.

He is a consummate professional, knowing the ins-and-outs of the business and its politics. Oftentimes turning them all upside down with an idea no one would believe would work until it does.

Thank goodness winning the "Oscar of the PR World" won't spoil his innovation, but instead accelerate it. Buz has helped me forward many ideas in Cincinnati against the prevailing wisdom. I've really enjoyed working with him on the Downtown HopAround events and the recent "All Roads Lead to Cincinnati" project.

Luckily as a young business owner starting Metaphor Studio and the Over-the-Rhine non-profit iRhine.com, Buz was able to see in me a kindred spirit who loves our City and wanted to make an impact. I'm not sure of the level of my own impact, but I'm absolutely certain of his.

Thank you Buz, for being an inspirational leader carrying the flag of Cincinnati out to the world.