MarketingProfs' Members Register for B2B Forum 2010 for just $695! (good until 11/30) »

Ask your question ... sign up today! It's FREE!
Branding     
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
How Aware Are You Of This Canadian City?
Posted By: ed on 2/13/2007 11:39 AM (CST) 125 Points
We anticipate being involved in a tender situation soon on branding our city. I am out in blogs asking readers for their impressions if any of our city: Windsor, Ontario, Canada. All I ask is that you identify your location and tell me what you know of our community if anything. I would like to use this info as part of our unscientific opinion on their brand.

Posted by: mzimmer999 Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 11:48 AM (CST)
From Brookfield, CT ...

I first became familiar with Windsor when I had a large consulting client in Detroit. Spending weeks in the Motor City, we often sought a change of place and would cross the bridge into Windsor. Your city had a greater vibrancy and a friendliness that was quite inviting. I remember all of the flowers and the flower boxes. Yes, there were some raucous late night venues and the occasional "lady professionals," but generally we saw Windsor as a fun and friendly place (especially compared to Detroit!).

Several years ago, I was assigned to run a Toronto-based company and got a somewhat different perspective about Windsor. There are quite a few people who cross over into the U.S. for jobs or schooling. People in the rest of Ontario seemed to have a far lesser opinion of Windsor than I did.

Perhaps it's simply a matter of different perspectives or perhaps things have changed over the years.
 
Posted by: BARQ Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 12:00 PM (CST)
My impressions of Windsor, (other than the city located directly south of Detroit!) is mostly limited to areas around the riverfront casinos and restaurants. We visited before Detroit bagan gaming, as well as afterwards.

Generally, I found Windsor to be considerably friendlier that Motown. Waterfront park areas and amenities were more readily available to pedestrians and the city seemed cleaner -- fewer lonely seniors passed out at the slots.

And a roll of quarters is cheaper, too!


BARQ
 
Posted by: ed Author Response
2/13/2007 12:05 PM (CST)
Thanks, Barq. May I ask your location?
 
Posted by: BARQ Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 12:08 PM (CST)
Sorry. we are in North Carolina. We worked for a client who managed a trade show at Cobo Hall for many years.

BARQ
 
Posted by: telemoxie Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 12:30 PM (CST)
I'm from the Washington DC area, and used to travel a bit in a previous sales job.

I don't mean to offend the ladies on this forum... but the word on the street (back from my days in sales a decade ago) was that the bars and clubs in Windsor were much wilder than those in Michigan, and it was well worth the trip (can't say I ever made that trip, though...)

A quick Google search turns up the same idea: what to to while in Detroit: Visit Windsor.
 
Posted by: D4Demand Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 1:08 PM (CST)
Greetings Hoser! from Cincinnati, OH.

Windsor is the the automotive capital of Canada. Across the river form Detroit, it is home to Michigan's (LOL) largest casinos and gambling boats.

A true center of culture, it is home to the famous Windsor ballet -- most elegantly practiced at the Cheetah and Jason's.

It is the home of the lowest priced GM cars in North America, where you can save at least 30% due to the Canadian and American Exchange rate. AND it is the home of the famous 351 W engine, one of the greatest motors ever produced by Ford.

It is a hub of Canadian export activity and I believe you can still get Cuban cigars at the duty free store near the bridge.
 
Posted by: ed Author Response
2/13/2007 1:25 PM (CST)
Who you calling a hoser!

That's great, we got a laugh from that one. Haven't heard the term in some time. FYI - the exchange rate is only 15% now.
 
Posted by: NuCoPro Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 1:37 PM (CST)
Windsor is across the river from Detroit; a place where Michiganders go to gamble; and a long time site of automobile manufacturing.

I've never been there, but I have this mental image of an industrial town with plants, warehouses, casinos and bars - a rough town where you had better watch out for yourself. I don't mean to offend in anyway, because it may well be a beautiful, vibrant city.

However, I live in a place that is constantly having to deal with VERY incorrect images of what and who we are, Pittsburgh, PA, so I thought you might want to know the mental image I have of Windsor.
 
Posted by: skoobie99 Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 2:21 PM (CST)
Hi ed,

I'm from Pittsburgh and work with a few folks from Detroit. I too have only heard about Windsor from others, not having visited personally. Typical activities seem to evolve from much looser controls than in the US, such as strip bars which go way beyond topless, plenty of watering holes and much easier access to alcohol and of course the gambling. Not a sleaze-hole per-se, however as people generally describe it as a pretty friendly place (images of happy hookers cross my mind).

Hope this helps,
John
 
Posted by: mbarber Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 4:22 PM (CST)
Gidday Ed - I'm in Melbourne, Australia and most of what I know about Ontario is based on what I read from an educational blogger called Stephen Downes (downes.ca). I'm pretty sure I've heard him talk of Windsor but that's about it. He has mentioned Ontario quite a bit

Marcus :-)
 
Posted by: R-A Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 6:53 PM (CST)
From Newmarket, ON

Over here...Windsor is just a car manufacturing city. Not a lot of personality; cold-feeling in fact. They need to warm the brand up with real people having fun and enjoying their life in Windsor. And tell me what's there for my family to enjoy.
 
Posted by: darcy.moen Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 7:10 PM (CST)
Windsor: Cars, Casinos, and a quick drive through. Yes, I was through Windsor on my way to Ottawa this summer (We drove from Regina to Ottawa around the big ponds, you should have seen the look on the US border guards faces when we said 'yes, we KNOW Ottawa is in Canada' a-duh!)

I know its one of the busiest crossings between Canada and the USA and Casion trade is down dramatically since the smoking ban. Other than that, don't know much about Windsor. (makes me wonder how much folks know about Regina <--rhymes with Delores)

Darcy Moen
Customer Loyalty Network
 
Posted by: Tracey Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 7:20 PM (CST)
I'm from San Diego, CA, and I have never heard of Windsor before this.

The name "Windsor" made me think of royalty, high tea, etc.... but from reading these posts that's apparently off the mark!
 
Posted by: ed Author Response
2/13/2007 7:51 PM (CST)
So far the response has been fantastic. I only posted this question this afternoon and I was getting responses within the first hour. This speaks strongly to how much blogs are frequented. I had no idea. I figured I'd see something in a day or so.

Some of your responses are a good chuckle as well (San Diego). I'm told hookers like high tea.
 
Posted by: mgoodman Accepted Answer
2/13/2007 7:58 PM (CST)
I'm in Westport, Connecticut ... about an hour from Midtown Manhattan. Very familiar with Windsor. Used to drive through Windsor en route from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Toronto. Also had a couple different clients in Detroit over the years, and heard a lot about Windsor from folks in the Motor City.

And before Tim Horton's had stores in the States, it was a big treat when someone from Windsor would bring a dozen donuts to a client meeting!
 
Posted by: Kamran Accepted Answer
2/14/2007 12:16 AM (CST)
Location, Pakistan

Never heard of Windsor, but from the responses, seem to be a pretty famous city. Most of my information about Canada comes from The Economist. Other than that, home of Arthur Hailey
 
Posted by: NuCoPro Accepted Answer
2/14/2007 9:25 AM (CST)
Ed,

I'm glad you are pleased with the response - welcome to the dynamic and supportive community that is KHE. BTW - this isn't a blog. :)
 
Posted by: peanutpeanut Accepted Answer
2/14/2007 10:44 AM (CST)
i'm from vancouver. windsor, car manufacturering plants, pollution, casiono's, across from detroit. that's it. i'm sure it's all stereotypes but there it is
 
Posted by: NovaHammer Accepted Answer
2/14/2007 7:16 PM (CST)
Hello from Nova Scotia,

Windsor isn't Detroit ... just ask Michael Moore he does a bit about it in his "Bowling for..." movie produced here in Nova Scotia.

Cheers.
 
Posted by: Positive Thinker Accepted Answer
2/14/2007 7:44 PM (CST)
Hello from New York (Western),

Have not heard of Windsor. Have been to Canada, Toronto (beautiful, vibrant and clean), Ontario, Kingsway?, and Thousand Islands.

I'm sure its cold there -- right? :)

(we are under 3ft of snow right now -- cold/snow isn't a bother its to be expected).

PT
 
Posted by: Russ Accepted Answer
2/15/2007 12:04 PM (CST)
Hey Ed,

Here is what comes to mind when I think of Windsor
*Casino
*Flat
*Has a University
* Not overly exciting

I think you have your work cut out for you. In saying that, everyone I know that either currently or in the past studied at UW loved the city.

Russ (from TO)
 
Posted by: Jeremy Shearer* Accepted Answer
2/15/2007 6:32 PM (CST)
I am in Pittsburgh, PA USA...I have been to Toronto and Niagra (Canada) several times...I have heard of Windsor, but outside of the name, that is about it. Best of luck.

Jeremy
 
Posted by: MRowland Accepted Answer
2/16/2007 2:37 PM (CST)
Classic.. my wife is from Windsor (and no, she wasn't a ballerina).

Windsor to me is a safe city that is so much better than the dump that is across the river. With its beautiful areas like Walkerville and the newer subdivisions being built there is a lot to like about Windsor. It's also the auto industry's hub in Canada (most of our family works for Chrysler there). The boating, especially sailing down to Lake Erie is great. And it has a great steak house (Ye Old London) that I used to take clients to when I was in Detroit.

The ballet, the bars, and even the casino to an extent are what the casual visitor to Windsor knows. To those of us who visit regularly, the city is much, much more.

We live in Maryland, but used to live in Chicago.
 
Posted by: openminds Accepted Answer
2/16/2007 3:07 PM (CST)
I'm from Ontario, Northern Ontario, to be a little more precise, and although I've travelled all over Ontario, I haven't been to Windsor. In my mind I always pictured a town with lots of flowers and pretty, historical buildings, a clean city with nice parkways. I have no idea where this image came from, but it was likely from the name alone. So I was a little surprised when my cousin, who lives there, told me she really didn't like living there. She felt it was industrial and dirty, with few things to do. She's not sure it's where she wants to bring up her daughter. I'll reserve my judgement for the day when I go myself, but I thought I'd share it with you since it might be useful in your research.
 
Posted by: lwaks Accepted Answer
2/16/2007 3:56 PM (CST)
I remember driving ovr the bridge from desperate Detroit around 1970 and entering Windsor. The comparison was striking: Windsor looked clean and bright.
 
Posted by: Tony Wanless Accepted Answer
2/16/2007 5:16 PM (CST)
I'm in Vancouver as well, and I worked in Windsor for a few years (Windsor Star), so my opinions may be jaundiced.

Windsor: rough tough factory town in Canadian terms, a haven of civility, cleanliness and peace if you're from Detroit. Basically, it's a border town that lives on the much larger city next door and shares its triumphs and sorrows (sorry to hear about the Ford problem!).

Going deeper, it was probably one of the best places I've ever lived in terms of people. It's like the whole city was your family, like you all shared something that no one else in Canada had. Maybe that's your USP.

Most people here are like PeanutPeanut, if they know it they think of it as one of those grungey Ontario factory cities. But ex Windsorites here had a kind of club that used to get together annually because no one around them really understood how they thought or viewed the world. As I said, family.

Sure hope the Tunnel Barbeque still exists! Best sauce in the world.

Tony Wanless, Knowpreneur
 
Posted by: balanced6coaching Accepted Answer
2/17/2007 2:15 PM (CST)
As a fellow Canuck hailing from the fabulous metropolis of Toronto -- the joke when I was growing up was that Windsor was the armpit of Ontario....

How about braided armpit hair for your branding?
 
Posted by: ed Author Response
2/18/2007 8:30 AM (CST)
I'd like to thank everyone who participated in this unscientific poll. In all fairness to this forum, I am ending the question even though steady responses keep coming in. The question will remain open at my blog at: http://brandcorral.blogspot.com

I wish there were more points to award, but them's the rules.

Thank you to Marketing Profs for the space and it's readers for their help.

Ed
 


Get more answers ... ReTweet this!

Would you like to post a response?
Welcome to Know-How Exchange!
This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation.
All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right).
Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).




Know-How Exchange powered by MarketingProfs


Sponsored Links

Buy a Link Now

Just Released ... Download Today!
Just Released ... Download Today!
Look inside
Included with Premium Membership
User Name:
Password:
Remember Me
Forgot your password?

Top 25 KHE Experts
(Branding)
mgoodman (14628)
Jay Hamilton-Roth (12360)
JBtron (9848)
thinkmor (8936)
W.M.M.A. (8761)
ilan (7056)
wnelson (6870)
skoobie99 (6868)
mbarber (6365)
PhilGrisolia=Results (6134)
Puru Gupta (5095)
Mushfique Manzoor (3978)
darcy.moen (3958)
SteveByrneBranding (3390)
AndrewS (3093)
Nitin Kochhar (3033)
Peter (henna gaijin) (2838)
Michele (2681)
rob (2596)
Paul Copcutt (2538)
proeditor (2418)
stlubahn (2362)
BARQ (2271)
SRyan ;] (2159)
D4Demand (2155)
Recently Posted Marketing Jobs
Director of Marketing and Communications
Demand Generation Manager
Marketing/Advertising Faculty
Director of Marketing
Market Analyst
Sr. Field Marketing Manager - Business Intell.
Associate Vice President of Marketing and Corporat
Marketing Manager
[more jobs]

Join over 355,000 members ... SIGN UP!

My email address is and I'd like my password to be .

Already a member? Sign In!

My email address is , and my password is .


HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.