Alright, BWW, who was around during the "I Love New York" commercials in the '80s??

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 1:51pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TDNM1j4M6M

I just found this clip on YouTube and this is the first time that I have seen the show Peter Pan (with Sandy Duncan) involved with the "I Love New York" commercial campaign. So first thing is first -- does anyone have the clip of the I Love New York commercial with the Peter Pan cast/Sandy Duncan????????

Secondly, I'm interested to hear about how the campaign "revitalized" New York tourism and especially its impact on Broadway show attendance. These commercials were national, correct?

I loved the recent post-2001 "revival" of the commercial they did post-9/11 with the entire Broadway community in full costume right in the heart of Times Square. They should do this again on the red steps of the new TKTS booth. That would look AMAZING.

Who has the rights to the campaign? Do you think if they brought it back that today's audiences would care? Would using Broadway shows in the I Love New York campaign still be effective to boost NY tourism today? I would imagine that the family shows (Shrek, Mary Poppins, Lion King, Wicked) would most definitely be effective, but you know, Addams Family, Spider-Man, Hair, Wishful Drinking, Ragtime, Phantom, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys, Little Night Music, Billy Elliot, and Chicago also has face in the game.

Let's bring the campaign back!!!

[MCfan2]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 3:56pm

I remember those, and yes, I think they were national. I believe I was living in Florida at the time that the '80s one aired. Always enjoyed them.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 4:04pm

I would love to see it come back.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 4:12pm

The Peter Pan clip is at the end of this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ3cGfCSJ_4&NR=1

[Marquise]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 4:17pm

I remember them as well.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 5:15pm

There was another YouTube that strung together a few of the commercials. I just looked but I couldn't find it.

I remember the Chorus Line one, and the Evita and the Yul Brynner.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 5:18pm

It wasn't this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TDNM1j4M6M

[Annas_Priest]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 5:20pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwaKmF80j8A

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 5:25pm

Well, couldn't find it but this is what Times Square looked like when I was growing up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwaKmF80j8A

[mattonstage]

Posted: 12/6/09 at 7:44pm

I think in one of the spots, you can catch Patrick Swayze in Grease.

[jpbran]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 1:43pm

"... especially in the evening."

I didn't think I remembered that ad 'til the final part.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 3:41pm

I remember seeing those commercials in Texas. The song was freaking annoying, but effective. I still can't get the tune out of my head when I see or hear the phrase "I love (or heart) New York".

[WOSQ]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 3:56pm

The organization that probably "controls" this archive is the sponsor which would be the NY State Tourism Board or whatever it might be called. If you want to comment on this campaign, that is who to start--with a CC to the League of American Theatres or whatever that group is calling itself these days.

The campaigns were extremely successful to the point that for a while the chant "I love New York..." was the official state song. These spots ran ran from maybe 77-80.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 7:18pm

Oh GOD! Can you imagine what today's modern rock/pop/hip-hop/rap version would be? DISGUSTING! If they keep it traditional, I think it'd work great today. No need to modernize the tune.