Oprah’s big f*** you to Chicago
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Let me get one thing clear: This is not a love letter to Oprah Winfrey. It’s not a cry for her stay on the air, or a reminiscence of what I’ve learned by watching her show. I don’t give a rats ass about Oprah’s show or how she has inspired millions and changed lives.
It’s a plea to Oprah to keep her production company in Chicago. I am saying this because the people in charge are not. Mayor Daley and others tasked with economic development in this city are apparently too busy figuring out how many unpaid furlough days equal a balanced budget and what piece of critical infrastructure they can sell off next.
Chicago had a very crappy week, economically speaking. The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society said it was moving its 2012 annual meeting to Las Vegas. The plastics industry trade show (held every three years) announced it is moving to Orlando for the 2012 and 2015 shows. And the National Restaurant Association is considering taking its annual event elsewhere beginning in 2012, along with the $86 million it pumps into the local economy. Or so reports the Chicago Tribune.
And Oprah’s leaving too.
Trade shows and tourism are big business. The organization that owns and manages McCormick Place and Navy Pier is being dealt a financial blow and will cut jobs, among other things. The hotel and restaurant industry will suffer and several hundred people employed at Harpo Productions will likely lose their jobs.
The businesses surrounding Harpo Studios will suffer, all those restaurants and shops and condos that sprang up around the facility in the West Loop. They can say goodbye to the lunch business at the very least.
The loss of convention business is a huge blow to Chicago’s economy. And, these losses are due to burdensome costs to hold events here. Union rules and fees, high hotel rates and surcharges, difficult travel and transportation (Meigs Field used to help with this) to events. All of these things drove away business, and it all falls under the purview of government.
Could the mayor or city council have kept Oprah here? Maybe not, but I wonder if they even tried.
Oprah is under no obligation to Chicago. Her cheerleadering and participation in trying to woo the 2016 Olympics to the city makes it tempting to act like she’s abandoning us. But Oprah’s a savvy businesswoman and she couldn’t build her cable network here, so she’s heading West.
Mayor Daley, however, does have an obligation to Chicago. His response was to chortle for the cameras and blame the news media, thus dodging the real issue.
Chicago’s economy.
So Oprah, please. If you love Chicago like you say you do, leave Harpo Productions here and working, so we can work too.
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There’s nothing I’d like more than that Chicago would build its capabilities for broadcast and movie making, but for 50 years we’ve had a brain drain to the coast. Oprah’s done her part for training and employing broadcast professionals, along with building her facility on the west side. But Sadly, I don’t think any of the decision makers in town (including the bankers and investors) took up her implicit offer to build that kind of industry here.
Maybe Daley is talking behind the scenes to Oprah about starting her cable company here, but it doesn’t sound like it. And it would have to be a pretty sweet deal, when her alternative is to land in LA and have her pick of the industry talent.
It really is such a wasted opportunity. For the city, not Oprah. she’s way better off, I’m sure.
So many opportunities squandered and next to no investment in the future.
I am with you woman. I hope to have your support in Supporting me to hold down the fort as the next Talk Show Host to keep the business going and step in to harpo Studios to keep it running and possibly expand teh business with new employees to manage and operate teh production company. Independent Broadcast Journalist with grassroot community Journalist history wants to take Oprah spot at Harpo Studios. Join Me I need your support.