Can Chicago truly be a leader, or are we doomed to embrace midwestern stolidness and continue to follow innovation? After all we may be in the midst of a Internet revolution, a prairie renaisance - but it is hardly a new movement. Internet innovation creates many giants - not a notable success here and there.
While we can - and should - applaud every success by many Chicago based ventures, when do we step in front of the pack? When does Chicago create a globalized sensation that draws the attention of the world.
Right now we have that ability - in pictures, yet the window to do so is slowly closing.
In the past six months I have seen (or been part of) eight separate ventures in Internet Video - all started here. Six of them withered on the midwest vine only to be transplanted to the coast and bloom - unchanged in any aspect except climate.
The last two are drooping and looking westward for sustenance in more fertile soil.
Let me reach out to Chicago - there is no reason the next great Internet movement cannot thrive right here, right now.
Advertisers, brand managers, corporate marketers and venture capitalists - trust that Chicago has the capability, the talent and the will to build it's own Maker Studios, foster it's own video giants and build an industry that can lead the world.
Do not let history repeat itself - the film industry began in Chicago and we lost it to the coast. Now a new generation of creators are here with passion, desire and talent - all they need is your belief, your trust - and your dollars.
