Welkom 2 Amsterdam ft. Misstrezz & Chappell
1 February 2010 | 11:40 by admin
Truth about Amsterdam wins City Marketing Award
15 January 2010 | 13:40 by admin
The truth about the Truth About Amsterdam
15 January 2010 | 13:35 by admin
On 27 July 2009 a video called The Truth About Amsterdam was posted on YouTube. The video responded to views about Amsterdam expressed by an American political TV talk show on Fox News, The O’Reilly Factor. Comments and assumptions made on the show portrayed Amsterdam as a ‘cesspool of corruption and crime’, ‘boasting free drugs and free love’. Two Amsterdam locals — and several more to follow — disagreed.
Proudly supported by the ATCB
Produced by locals Robbert Nieuwenhuis and Elian Wils, The Truth About Amsterdam aimed to cast light on the reality of Amsterdam life – beyond the common stereotypes of the city and blatant false claims of the O’Reilly Factor. They showed the side of the city that residents experience; families on bakfietsen, busy canals and buskers on the Leidseplein, while illustrating the facts about drugs and corruption in the Netherlands against that of the USA.
Nieuwenhuis and Wils pitched their creative concept to the ATCB, who recognised the viral video as a great opportunity to engage the lucrative American market and break through the common misconceptions of Amsterdam. The viral formed part of an inspired marketing campaign for the ATCB. Production remained entirely in the hands of Nieuwenhuis and Wils, with funding and stock footage supplied by the ATCB.
Revealing the truth
To date, there have been over 400, 000 views and thousands of comments (in support of both views) on YouTube. The ATCB also supported the creation of a website for people to express their own Truth About Amsterdam. In November 2009, the ATCB announced their involvement in the video. This had not been revealed earlier, in order to strengthen the impact of the viral and to avoid influencing the reactions and discussion that emerged from the video.
“We stand by our choice”, stated Eduard Peter Oud from the ATCB. “We did not aim to deceive the viewers, but rather to facilitate an open forum and to communicate The Truth to potential visitors of Amsterdam”. The ATCB has been nominated for a marketing award for the film.
Why this website?
19 August 2009 | 1:51 by admin
We’re Robbert (26) and Elian (28), we live in Amsterdam. We set up this website as a response to the worldwide pre-assumptions about our city. TV host Bill O’Reilly from Fox News (USA) is one of the most hilarious representatives of these false ideas. We aim to show you a more realistic view of Amsterdam.
We hope that this site inspires you to come up with your own Amsterdam video, showing us and the world what you think it’s like. We’ll also continue to post new videos from time to time. We started the forum because we believe in freedom of speech and the power of internet. So please don’t hold back if you got something to say.
We are working on another reply to Bill. Keep checking our site as we’ll post it soon!
Elian & Robbert
Discussion >>> 28 CommentsBlijf van me stad af (videoclip)
3 December 2009 | 19:52 by Fan van Surya & Pharao
Discussion >>> 2 Comments
Recent Forum Posts
I believe that Fox is popular with people who have a need to be 'told what to think'. That group who never heard, or never understood the phrase, "Never believe everything that you read in the paper."
Faced with the prospect of just hearing the facts from multiple sources and making up their own minds is too much for these viewers.
Why there has been no 'Truth in Advertising' complaint, is beyond me. FOX NEWS?????? More like, Fox OPINION.
All reporting of news has a bias of some sort. It is inevitable human nature. However, a good organization will do its best to minimize that.
I'd be tempted to say that FOX and their viewers a a little retarded, but Sarah says I can't. Unless, of course, my name where Rush.
A few things to realize, here;
This was from Chicago. Where the phrase, 'Vote early and vote often' is popular.
It's gotta be tough to be Fox News in a city where the last Republican mayor left office in 1931.
I was born just outside Chicago and live near Amsterdam. So, this 'strikes home' in several levels.
Oh, and I never watch Fox, except when it's part of The Daily Show.
Cheers!
I can't believe people believe anything that comes from Fox News. I visited Amsterdam for Christmas in 2008 and had the one of the best experiences of my life. I felt safer there than any city in America I have lived in. The vibe that generates from this city is of joy and happyness. Healthy looking folks that are truly happy and smiling families on bikes that you woud'nt see in say.... New York. People who sit in judgement of others without first experiencing what they are talking about sould'nt be listened to anyway. I am planning on returning soon. I am tired of the government (US) telling me how I should live my life and I am searching for a truly free place to live with the Netherlands and Canada being high
on my list. I love my country but I do not love what it has become. I only hope the examples of places like Amsterdam will someday break thru to the US. I won't hold my breath though.
