Brand USA needs to be scrupulous about its spending and fund-raising practices. The Heritage Foundation and the right are licking their lips over any missteps.
Film-inspired tourism got visitors interested in New Zealand a decade ago, and other countries are slowly waking up to what a giant, organized business it can be.
An old boys' club mentality and careless spending practices won't cut it, if indeed the latest Congressional allegations about Brand USA are true. Meanwhile, it is premature to pass judgment on Brand USA's marketing efforts. That verdict will come when visitors' numbers come out next year.
Though China's an example here, happens all the time in India as well. In a globally connected world, U.S. and European brands can't just work off foreign brand aura, the positioning has to be consistent enough.
The "non-aviation segments" are increasingly playing a bigger role for airports, and that means airports brand themselves as more than just transport facilities, with full service capabilities where consumers spend more time and money.
Concur has plenty of loose change for these types of investments, some of which will pay off by spurring innovation and tighter company-to-company relationships.