Jason Binn

I had the opportunity to share a cup of coffee last night with Jason Binn, the controversial not-yet-40 founder and CEO of Niche Media. I was looking forward to this encounter because Mr. Binn is the publisher of the soon to be circulated "Michigan Avenue," the new magazine featuring Chicago high-end fashion, real estate, and other topics relevant to the "rich and famous."

Mr. Binn's most celebrated achievement seems to be that he invented the highly focused free publication, covering his costs of publication by convincing advertisers that he can deliver extremely high-end demographics. He has been spectacularly successful with his other regional magazines, including "Ocean Drive" (Miami), "Gotham" (Manhattan), "Hamptons (Long Island)," "Los Angeles Confidential," "Aspen Peak," "Boston Common," and "Capitol File" (Washington, DC).

"Michigan Avenue" is expected to appear this summer free in luxury hotel rooms, business jet seat pockets, luxury restaurants, and through direct mail to a list of people with a net worth of over $1 million and a net income of at least $200,000 per year. The magazine is also available at some newsstands for about $5.00. About half of the circulation will be through direct mail

I had heard earlier that Mr. Binn was busy calling around Chicago to engage writers, other content providers, and, of course, advertisers. So I shouldn't have been surprised when he appeared dead tired when I met him. He was attentive as I characterized GNMAA as an organization that could assist him in making important contacts in the City. I also discussed the already rich publishing environment here, which includes "Where, "Chicago Social," "The Chicago Collection," "Chicago Magazine," and others. His main point was that "Michigan Avenue" will excel at "being local." He remarked that each of his magazines works very hard to include stories on local celebrities, political leaders, and events that match the interests of wealthy readers.

A quick prior "google" heightened my anticipation of the meeting. Mr. Binn has many detractors. Several blogs called him names that I wouldn't repeat here, except to say that he apparently has a reputation in some circles as being a bit aggressive, arrogant, pushy, etc. In summary, he is accused of trampling on the vineyards of more than a few employees, business associates, and competitors.

But I did not witness any of this as he slouched exhausted in his suite at the Peninsula telling me about his great plans for the Chicago magazine. It was fun and, of course, I wish him well!

The Walter Watroba Memorial

I was privileged to attend a special ceremony honoring Fire Fighter Walter Watroba and others with the Chicago Fire Department who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The program was on Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at the Engine 13 Firehouse at 259 North Columbus just south of the Soffitel.

Retired Captain George Rabiela is to be commended for having worked hard over the past many years to prepare for the ceremony, line up the sponsors, and organize the event, which was extremely well done.Alderman Edward Burke, dean of the Chicago City Council, officiated the ceremony. The program opened with the Fire Department's bagpipe troupe and an impressive "drill team" of apparently senior officers in dress uniform. Then the former chaplain of the Fire Department, a very elderly priest who had administered the last rites for Walter Watroba, offered a prayer. Then Alderman Burke thanked a number of people, including several of Mr. Watroba's fellow fire fighters (mostly retired) the sponsors, and contributors to the event.

I recall Mr. Watroba's death vividly because I worked at Commonwealth Edison at the time and it was a fire at one of our generating stations that took his life. I recall November 22, 1976, when those of us in the office were informed that there was a fire underway in the coal conveyor system at Fisk Station, the ComEd facility that is snuggled prominently at the intersection of the Dan Ryan and Stevenson Expressways on the near south side. Early on in fighting the blaze, steel debris had fallen on Mr. Watroba, pinning him in the fire. Seven desperate hours followed as fellow firemen tried to free him. Finally, desperate to save his life, a team of paramedics and a surgeon amputated his leg. Severely weakened by the entire ordeal, Mr. Watroba died of trauma.

Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco and Alderman Brendan Reilley made a brief presentation, as did top executives from ComEd, Midwest Generation (the company that purchased the plant from ComEd about a decade ago), and Magellan Development, all companies that paid for the memorial.

One of the best presentations was by Guy Gorney, president of Midwest Generation. He told about asking his son what the word "hero" meant and the son listed off Superman, Spiderman, and other TV and movie characters. Then Guy talked about the invincibility of these heroes and how the real heroes are those who are not invincible and accept risk. It was an innovative way of leading into the risks every first responder takes in dealing with an emergency.

Then Ms. Watroba delivered one of the best short tributes I have ever heard. She started by saying that their three daughters were in elementary school when her husband died. "So many times I said, 'I wish Wally were here.' When the girls graduated form high school, I said, 'I wish Wally were here.' When they graduated from college, I said, 'I wish Wally were here.' When they were married to three of the finest young gentlemen I have ever met I said, 'I wish Wally were here.' And when each of our grandchildren arrived I said, 'I wish Wally were here.' And now today, with the Fire Commissioner, Aldermen, and other government and business leaders, many of Wally's retired co-firefighters, and a whole crowd of young firefighters here, I say, 'I wish Wally were here.' He would be honored by all of you." There wasn't a dry eye in the firehouse.

The large bronze casting of a Chicago fireman's coat, boots, and hat resting on fallen debris, is on display at the firehouse and will eventually be moved to Magellan Development's new condo Aqua, being built in River East by GNMAA member Jim Loewenberger, who participated in the ceremony.

For more information, click on the links below.

• Chicago Tribune Article
  

• ABC 7 Video
  

• National Foundation for Public Safety (this site has more links as well)

The 2007 Lights Festival is History

The 2007 Magnificent Mile Lights Festival presented by Harris is history and there are so many terrific stories related to its strong success.

I can’t say enough about the great things that Nichole Jachimiak, Jennifer Woolford, and their team of over 700 volunteers did to ensure the success of the event. Thanks also to John Curran and other key volunteers for a truly amazing day. Of course Ellen Farrar and the GNMAA staff came through once again with flying colors!

Sponsors of the event made it all possible. Led by Harris, top partners included Southwest Airlines, Walt Disney World Resort, Wm. J. Wrigley Company, American Girl Place, Eli’s Cheesecake, Museum of Science and Industry, The Signature Room at the 95th, and others.

Thanks to WLS 890 AM we broke the record for the World’s Largest Holiday Carol! For me, the highlights included significantly better media production and national distribution thanks to Emily Barr, Chris Reller, and the rest of the team at ABC7-Chicago. Also, the daytime celebrity entertainment presented by Radio Disney and 101.9 THE MIX attracted huge crowds. Finally, upgraded content in the Procession by sponsors such as American Girl, Southwest Airlines, the Shedd Aquarium, the University of Illinois, and others went a long way toward improving the quality of the “in person” and broadcast experiences.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the entire day is the way people come together to produce a truly word class event. “Old hand pros” in the Police Department, Streets and San Department, OEMC, and other City agencies come together with the pros in the television and radio businesses to work along side people from the various sponsoring organizations and over 700 volunteers with a broad range of backgrounds to produce an event that is enjoyed by millions of people around the country. Quite an achievement!

Talbott Hotel Wins Mayor Daley Admiration

In addition to the spectacular Magnifcient Mile Lights Festival this past weekend, I enjoyed participating in a ceremony at the Talbott Hotel with Mayor Daley. Sarah Fleming (both left) GNMAA's Planning Manager, and I joined Basil Kromelow, owner of the Talbott Hotel and a past GNMAA chairman of the board, at a program to recognize the Talbott as the first hotel in Chicago to purchase electricity exclusively from a "green utility." Electric power consumed by the hotel is produced by wind energy, which reduces toxic, particulate, and carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, conserves fossil fuels, protects land from being strip mined, and a host of other environmental benefits. The Mayor was very generous in heaping praise on the Talbott for this unique initiative and other energy efficiency initiatives that he said made the Talbott a model for the hospitality industry. Not only is being energy efficient the right thing to do, but in today's very competitive hotel market, the Talbott can use this distinction as a differentiator. Many consumers are willing to pay significantly more if they have confidence that their purchase will result in reducing global climate change, decreasing oil purchases from hostile countries, and cleaning up the air and water.

Macy's is on the Move

I am impressed with how hard Macy's is working to build their business in Chicago and on Michigan Avenue. The company clearly has stores in the City targeted for enhancements. As a prelude to the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the State Street Store, Terry Lundgren (see right) CEO of Federated Department Stores and a speaker at a GNMAA Quarterly Membership Luncheon earlier this year, hosted a dinner in the store with Martha Stewart, who was in town to light the tree. Both were excellent hosts and met informally with our small group prior to dinner. It wasn't a "hard sell," but it is clear that Macy's is proceeding with their plan to achieve the economies of scale through large advertising and promotions purchases, large branded merchandise purchases, and the other benefits of changing multiple time –honored department store from locally branded names like Marshall Field's to Macy's. I agree with them that Marshall Field's was not what it used to be, the realities of present day marketing dictating a major change. I grew up in the Washington, DC, area and can remember shopping at Woodward & Lothrop many times. This brand was held in as high esteem in Washington as Field's was in Chicago. But "Woodie's," like Field's, was all things to all people and had market share stripped off by The Gap, Land's End, Old Navy, Eddie Bauer, and hundreds of other specialty brands. People in Washington thought the world was coming to an end when Woodward & Lothrop went out of business, shuttering their big iconic store downtown and the many suburban stores. The same would have happened to Field's had Federated not stepped in and made the major changes that it did, saving jobs, real estate values, and what's left of the store's great merchandise and services. Incidentally, yes, Martha is the same in real life as she is on the show. Looks the same! Acts the same! It was an enjoyable evening.

Is Ramsey Lewis from New Jersey?

Still wowed by attending the really excellent GNMAA Cultural Event chaired by Sue Chernoff on Friday evening, I am extra aware of all things "Jersey Boys." I mentioned this to Jan Lewis, who I met with Ramsey Lewis at the Macy's dinner. She compared the plot of "Jersey Boys" to the life cycle of most music groups, including the Ramsey Lewis Trio. There was an initial excitement about the early days. When "The In Crowd" went to the top of the national charts, the group went on a national tour, and "fame and fortune" came their way, the dynamics changed and everyone eventually went their separate ways. I remember seeing the Ramsey Lewis Trio when they came to my college in 1966 and still rank the concert as one of the best I have seen.

Margie Korshak on "How Times Have Changed."

GNMAA member Michael Rose and his team at Metropolitan Capital Bank (MetCap) provide a valuable service to their clients and selected people in the community with their periodic programs on issues of interest. Typically the bank invites influential people in to speak to the small group over a light lunch. Today it was Chicago's legendary public relations icon Margie Korshak talking about how business has changed over the 38 years she has been promoting celebrities, sports, and the arts. In summary, she claims that relationships are still the key, yet technology is fundamentally changing the business. The personal telephone call is still the best communicator and, when all else in her office fails, she picks up the phone and "won't take no for an answer" the same as she has been doing for nearly four decades. Technology has had many complex implications. First, television has taken over as the principal medium, leaving print less important than it was years ago. She related stories about her early experience with TV and how impressed she was with its results. Second, even more than before, the news is a very efficient communicator, one story in print or on electronic media saving many dollars of paid advertising. Third, electronic data processing for mailers and e-mails has wiped out the old sweat-shop mentality of communications. Fourth, the immediacy and readership of blogs makes it impossible to keep a secret for long. And fifth, she advises her clients that when they have bad news, appreciate the power of the internet for research. Tell the whole truth up front and avoid the inevitable that will occur in a transparent world when anyone can find out almost anything. Ms. Korshak charmed her audience with anecdotes about clients like McDonalds, the Blackhawks, and the Bulls, while relating experiences working with Bill Wirtz, Oprah Winfrey, and Barbara Streisand. I thought of her this morning when I read strong positive coverage in the Tribune about "Jersey Boys," another of her clients. All is wonderful when one of Chicago's top professionals comes out for a "fireside chat."

Miscellaneous Musings on Trump, Traffic, and Trunk Sales

On Tuesday I attended the retail brokers' opening at the Trump Tower, an event made extra interesting by the Trump family's involvement and the crowd of perhaps 100 retail brokers from around the country. Eric, Ivanka, and Donald, Jr. took turns explaining why the property is unique and how retailers have the opportunity to leverage the Trump brand. The presentation was very compelling and, yes, they all look just the same in person as they do on television. I was impressed when they said that they are presently involved in 33 other projects around the world. Sharon Kahan with CB Richard Ellis, an active GNMAA volunteer, did an excellent job of explaining how her company will be managing the retail leases and CBRE's role in marketing the property. Colm O'Callaghan, Monika Lotter, Robert Prohaska, and others representing the Trump International Hotel & Tower, were there as well.

Later in the day I joined GNMAA's P&A staff for a meeting with River North Association's Executive Director Heather Imhoff, Mark Kelly, and other key people to discuss ways to improve the Ontario/Ohio corridor as the predominant gateway to The Magnificent Mile and the City. State Representative Ken Dunkin was at the meeting and did an excellent job of linking us by telephone with Illinois Department of Transportation Chief of Staff Clayton Harris. Mr. Harris urged us to work with his office in developing a proposal. The encounter demonstrated Rep. Dunkin's close working relationship with IDOT's top brass.

Finally, I ended the day with an evening at Macy's "Get in Where it Begins," the Chicago designers' fall season debut. Twenty Chicago designers are being featured at Macy's, part of the company's fulfillment of their pledge to elevate the State Street store's profile as a fashion mecca. Andrea Schwartz, External and Public Relations Manager, Macy's North Division, handled the event and, as has been Andrea's tradition, the event was a smashing hit! Ralph Hughes, Vice President of Macy's North Division, was on hand and we reminisced about the hugely successful GNMAA Quarterly Membership Luncheon that featured Federated CEO Terry Lundgren. I also found comments by Norm Yustin interesting. Norm is Macy's Senior Vice President for Marketing and a true retail expert. He talked about the purchaser's mind-set to buy on North Michigan Avenue, an attitude that other streets and malls must work hard to create. While people have to make the decision if they are going to buy in other venues, they are on Michigan Avenue deciding what to buy, the retail environment being such that people come here already excited and planning to shop. He characterized North Michigan Avenue as having the cluster of retailers - the right mix – necessary to create excitement and induce people to make purchases.

Finally, I had an interesting conversation with Hugh O'Brian, the former television and movie actor. He told me that when he first arrived in Hollywood in the early 1950s Rodeo Drive and Hollywood Boulevard were both premier streets and attracted similar clientele. But due to a lack of planning, enforcement of business and zoning codes, and just plain common sense, Rodeo Drive has developed into a world-class shopping venue and Hollywood Boulevard is the home of the "four T-shirts for ten dollars" stores. He said this while favorably comparing North Michigan Avenue to the best streets in the country and attributing much of that achievement to GNMAA.

GNMAA People Love Cheesecake

One of my interests is classic cars so I was looking forward to joining a few GNMAA folks and other enthusiasts at Eli's Cheesecake Festival on September 16. The two-day event was fabulous, attracting nearly 150 cars and about 10,000 people to Eli's bakery on the north side of the city.

Jennifer and I drive our 1941 Packard to the bakery thinking we would arrive early, only to find that cars had been lined up two hours before the scheduled opening. We were lucky to find a good parking spot near the back!

I was impressed with the family friendly environment. There was plenty for the kids to do, including play on several of those large inflatable carnival toys, watch a large-scale model railroad, make paper hats and other novelties in the craft tent, and enjoy entertainment on two stages. I was also impressed with the amount of community involvement.

The free event benefited multiple charities and community groups. Finally, the cars were all shapes, colors, and sizes. Big chrome, big paint, and big engines won the day!

Of course we saw Marc Schulman (see right), president of Eli's Cheesecake and a member of the GNMAA executive committee, and his wife Maureen, also an active GNMAA volunteer. Ralph Weber (also right), GNMAA's chairman of the board, was there and could have driven his classic Mercedes Benz, but didn't due to scheduling issues. David Snyder, Associate Publisher at Crain's Chicago Business, attended with his two daughters, one of whom became very sad when her helium balloon "flew away." For everyone else it was a really great day!

Orchard Road Comes to The Magnificent Mile

Representatives of the Orchard Road Business Association, Singapore's sister to North Michigan Avenue, visited with GNMAA staff and key leaders in our community on Monday, September 10, 2007.

Camille Julmy, a member of the GNMAA Administration Committee and a past chairman of the Board, set up the meeting. My counterpart and eight other representatives learned about GNMAA's structure and operating practices before lunch at the Signature Room at the 95^th (thanks to Angela Roman), a boat tour (thanks to Holly Agra), and a double-decker bus ride (thanks to John Curran). Greg Holland conducted a tour through Norstrom, Mitch Feldman narrated a tour of Water Tower Place, and they met Barry Graham at The 900 Shops for an explanation of this premier facility.

The group left Chicago overwhelmed with the beauty of the City and the hospitality of our people. I learned several interesting things about Singapore. For example, there are virtually no homeless people and panhandlers on Orchard Road due to local ordinances and severe punishment for offenders. Drug trafficking and the use of a gun in a crime are justifications for an "automatic death penalty." As one American youth you may recall from several years ago learned, the penalty for vandalism and many other lesser crimes is caning, an extremely harsh practice that our group attributed to police while the country was an English colony.

Interestingly, the City of Chicago and the city/state of Singapore are about the same size – about 225 square miles. Many comparisons hit home.

Camille and his Branding Committee are working on strengthening North Michigan Avenue's distinction as "One of the Ten Great Avenues of the World." Orchard Road, with many of the same high quality retail and hospitality businesses that have a presence on the Avenue, is another Great Avenue. Maintaining a relationship with the Orchard Road Business Association will have many benefits.