That’s right, TMRW is in New York City! Well, more like just me working remotely from here.
The weather is quite ridiculous, going up as high as 20 degrees and then dropping down to a good 2. With sunny days and biting winds, the city can’t make up its mind. But frigid weather aside, New York is truly beautiful no matter the time of year.
Walking down the streets of New York, you get a sense of why it’s known as the greatest city in the world. The way the trees frame little roads, the extravagance of skyscrapers, the quiet beauty of brownstones — it’s on everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason too.
While there are certain drawbacks to the city with the amount of crazy people and the sky-high cost of living, there is still something that draws you in. And partly, I feel, is due to the marketing of New York.
On TV, we see New York City as a shining wonder, radiant with opportunities and countless possibilities. The energy that pulses near the surface — it is magnetic, captivating and every other positive adjective.
The way the marketing of New York is structured relies very heavily on star power.
These films and shows are all an integral part of our cultural consciousness. From Sex and the City to Harry Met Sally — this is a place that has now become associated with love, wonder and excitement. And not to mention, Broadway, which has become almost synonymous with the city.
By framing the city as part and parcel of a life full of fame and fortune, that glitz and glamour became a key characteristic of the city.
And also because it is part of America, it is inherently associated with dreams and Hollywood — where your talents shine and your potential is reached and all that jazz. And there is an element of truth to this.
There is also so much history in New York with iconic individuals who lived there in the past. The Beatniks, Andy Warhol and John Lenon himself — they only add to the myth that is New York. Even today, the biggest celebrities in the world own apartments there. And therefore, lending a sort of enchantment to the place.
As someone who grew up online, there was a lot of “digital marketing” going on in the early 2010s. While not on purpose, there was a collective obsession with New York on social media sites, primarily Tumblr.
Beautiful images of the skyline at night or people having the time of their lives in the city — it all created this picture-perfect idea of New York in the minds of very impressionable children.
While not as excessive as it used to be in the past, this digital content still makes its way to more modern platforms. Vlogs on YouTube, short videos on TikTok — you simply can’t run away.
With this multi-pronged approach to marketing, it is no wonder that New York City is one of the most desirable places to live in the world. So shout-out to the “ad agency” that pulled off the incredible job of selling this city to the entire world. Really, they’ve gone above and beyond to cement the city’s status as the ultimate destination.
Joyce Ng