Proof reading? We put it through the spell checker. Not my fault Microsoft think ‘dinning’ is a word. Probably means making a big noise. Anyway, we sent it to the client and they signed off on it, so NOT problem belong us.
The Official Visitors’ Guide to Melbourne in Spring is published by Destination Melbourne, the peak body for tourism in Melbourne and Regional Victoria. Soon to be renamed Destination Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
Looks like they’re targeting the American market: they spell “splendour” the American way; “splendor”.
The booklet is written in co-operative marketingesque. “There is so much to see and do in Melbourne that it’s almost overwhelming. Just as well the city is cleverly planned, making getting around and about a breeze”. It goes on to point out that it’s easy to travel on Melbourne’s extensive transport network. I guess you just PAY YOUR MONEY and GET ON BOARD!
Will the shopping cater for your every need? Will the restaurants be many and varied? Will the city have unique character? A full spectrum of activities? Great food and wine? Then I must be in, err, any city in the world.
Tourism promotional copy in Australia is predictable and awful. This publication is no worse than any other. The bureaucracy churns them out, businesses advertise with precious little return and the tourists wade through 128 pages of crap thinking, please, mercy, just tell me the interesting bits.
Before Word grammar checker:
You are fucking wonderful
After Word grammar checker:
You are fucking wonderfully
Hahahaha. Nice of you to say. But really, I don’t want people to get the wrong impression.
I hear you, Bret. How are these things born? An executive decides there must be a booklet; his minions get the cheapest copy/writer they can find to bring the project in on budget?
Yes, I think you’re right. Clients get what they deserve. Here is the law of marketing copywriting: if you don’t know the difference between original, persuasive content and that which is copy/pasted from last year, you’ll get that which is copy/pasted. Because that is profitable for the supplier. Bureaucracies are particularly susceptible – they are assessed on output, not response rates.