Clearly Creepy

I'm surprised I haven't heard about this until now. Clear, a subsidiary of Verified Identity Pass, is a service that pre-screens members and gives them line bypass at various designated airport security checkpoints in the United States for about $100 a year. Apparently you fill out an application form and then show up for an in-person interview of sorts where I assume they check you out, and you provide them with two pieces of government ID. Then, they take your picture, your fingerprints and images of your irises. No biggie.

This is New York City

NYC & Company, New York City's official marketing and tourism agency (not to be confused with the New York State Tourism Department of "I [heart] NY" fame, dontcha know) has recently launched a new full scale advertising campaign in a effort to renew interest in the city I didn't really think interest was ever down) both domestically and internationally (the ads will run in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy and Spain as well as Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and San Antonio). Their goal is to "attract 50 million visitors annually by 2015."




The "This is New York City™"campaign designed by UK ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (Best. Name. Ever. I mean, that just screams Harry Potter.), includes print, outdoor, online and television ads. The ads are highly stylized and the TV spots mix live action and animation (reminiscent of the Yellow Submarine style in my opinion) and have a very enjoyable whimsical feel to them (reinforced by the Ella Fitzgerald soundtrack the the muppet cameo).

Here's the New York Times article covering the campaign. Also I've noticed that I've used far too many parentheses in this post (seven including this one, in fact).