Selected writing / Campaign concept & copy

DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS SUCKS.

A provocative campaign idea that challenged perceptions of downtown—and made people look again.

Downtown Cedar Rapids / Campaign platform · Social · Earned media
The assignment

Instead of another conventional downtown promotion, the campaign used an intentionally provocative premise to challenge expectations and start a conversation.

01 / The idea
Downtown Cedar Rapids Sucks original campaign creative
Original campaign platform / Downtown Cedar Rapids Sucks.
02 / Social execution

A different kind of downtown voice.

Social / Concept and conversational copy

Campaign language / Creative direction
Does true consciousness begin when you move to Downtown Cedar Rapids?…
Original downtown social campaign execution
Original campaign execution
03 / Social execution

Playfully unpredictable.

Social / Absurdist humor and local personality

Campaign language / Creative direction
Pigeons confidently steal crunchberries and are confused, chaos ensues…
Original downtown social campaign execution
Original campaign execution
04 / Social execution

Local, with an edge.

Social / Food and neighborhood voice

Campaign language / Creative direction
One bite of Harold’s and suddenly you’re texting exes, it’s crispy, chaotic bliss…
Original downtown social campaign execution
Original campaign execution
The Gazette coverage
The Gazette / Coverage
CBS2 coverage
CBS2 / Coverage
A LINE THAT
STARTED TALKING.

The deliberately provocative campaign premise carried through social executions and attracted earned coverage. The writing and the creative were built to challenge expectations, not simply announce another downtown promotion.

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