Say nice things about Detroit

Detroit is due for some good times.

Seriously, we’re overdue. Detroit has recently faced some of the toughest times in its history. But Detroiters are tougher than anything you can put in front of us.

High unemployment in every sector, from automotive to what was, for a while, a burgeoning film industry. Urban blight. High crime rates. A struggling education system. One of the worst housing markets in the country. The list goes on.

But through all this, we never stopped fighting. As I said on the day Campbell-Ewald lost the Chevy account after one of the longest professional partnerships in history: “Detroiters are scrappy. We’ll get through this.”

And we are getting through this. Yes, we had some help, but there’s nothing wrong with that. The auto industry is turning around – even reporting profits. Ad agencies are hiring again (and some of the Chevy business has returned). New tech endeavors are taking off. Creatives are fighting to keep the film/TV industry alive while continuing to grow a lively visual and performing arts community. Even the Lions are doing well (I don’t follow sports, but I know this is a big deal).

We still have work to do. But Detroit is proof that smart solutions can work. We were helped by government stimulus, but now we’re moving forward on our own power. Detroit power. Never count us out. Because Detroiters are never down for the count.