U-Matic

Mayor Coleman A. Young "Do It In Detroit" News Conference

U-Matic tape containing footage of Mayor Coleman A. Young's January 31, 1984 press conference announcing the beginning of the year-long "Do It In Detroit" promotional campaign. Against the backdrop of a large banner with the slogan "For the Best of Everything, Do It In Detroit," Young explains the elements of the campaign, and then introduces a series of partners who each briefly discuss their involvement.

Following his introduction, Young explains that the campaign will consist of billboards, t-shirts, bumper stickers, advertisements, and special events. He notes that the t-shirts will be sold as fundraisers for Detroit high schools, and goes through a coupon pack including ones from the Detroit Spirits Continental Basketball Association team, Boblo Island, the zoo, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

He then acknowledges participating business groups and high school representatives gathered behind him. One-by-one he calls the participants to the podium to discuss their involvement

First Joseph Schulte of the marketing company J. Walter Thompson speaks, primarily about the program's broadcast components. He plays the campaign's song, the Four Tops's "Be a Part of the Heart of Detroit (Do It In Detroit)." Mid-song the Four Tops come to the front of the room to sing the chorus live, and they jokingly encourage Young to sing along with them. After the song finishes, Schulte introduces the video for the song (see tape 2015.008.113), which is played on a small television to the right of the podium. Young then returns to the podium to show the cassette single for the song.

Next Dr. Lewis Ellis of Detroit Public Schools talks about the involvement of high schools in the program, including the sale of t-shirts in the colors of each high school.

Dr. Michael Luck, Senior Vice President of Wayne State University then describes the University's involvement. He mentions the participation of the school's basketball, football, and fencing teams.

Lisa Ilitch appears as a representative of her father, Mike Ilitch, to talk about the involvement of the Detroit Red Wings and Little Caesar's, including discounted admission with the purchase of a campaign t-shirt.

Oleg Lobanov of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra explains his organization's involvement, including coupons and a special day in which free admissions is offered to those in campaign shirts. After he speaks, Young jokes about the orchestra performing "Be A Part of the Heart of Detroit."

Ron Moten of the Black McDonald's Operators of Detroit mentions that his organization and the McDonald's Corporation has several things planned as part of the campaign that will be announced later.

The Executive Vice President of the Detroit Spirits announces free admission will be offered for a game for anyone in a campaign shirt, and discounted admission will be afford to those in campaign pins.

Michael J. Wild of Boblo also announces special offers on rides and trips aboard the Boblo boats to people in campaign shirts.

James Wadsworth of the lnterdemoninational Ministerial Alliance announces an upcoming large gospel concert in conjunction with the campaign.

A representative of Detroit Sportswear, the t-shirt company behind the campaign shirts, explains that his company will be donating 10% of the sale of each t-shirt to the city's Partners program.

Roy Leinnweber of Gannett Outdoor Advertising expresses his company's involvement and mentions that the first campaign billboard will be going up that day.

Young then returns to the podium to talk about using the Tommy Hearns fight at Cobo Hall against Luigi Minchillo as the campaign's kick-off.

Young then shakes the hands of the student representatives of each high school--Cass Technical High School, Chadsey High School, Cody High School, Cooley High School, Kettering High School, and Martin Luther King, Jr. High School. The recording then briefly cuts.

The recording resumes with Young's conclusion and the questions period. In the question and answer period, Young tackles the use of income from the program, the role of tourism in the city, plans to expand Cobo Hall, his anticipation of Sammy Davis Jr. and Barry Gordy's "Hello Detroit," the end of the Super City U.S.A. campaign, plans for improved public lighting, the negative image of Detroit in the media, and the possible national scope of the campaign. Tina Bassett of the City Information Department briefly appears on camera during this segment. The camera briefly continues to roll as the song is played again.

The video is on a 3M UCA-30 U-Matic tape with handwritten City of Detroit Department of Public Information Video Production label on its top. The tape is housed within a black plastic latching U-Matic case with a matching label on its cover.