Although I did watch the video, and it is nicely made, I don't think it represents Homewood. Maybe with Halloween coming it will work for a little while, but otherwise it just isn't Home Sweet Homewood to me. There are so many other ways to showcase our beautiful community and this just reminds me of a commercial for the old Jaycees Haunted Houses. Creative, well produced, just not what I want to tell out of town relatives to watch to see where we live. Hi, I'm from Halloween Sweet Homewood?

I agree completely Karen. This video doesn't really show any of the reasons why people should move here or what makes this town great. It didn't show how wonderfully diverse the town is or anything like that. Why couldn't they show the different festivals or events, the shops on Dixie or Halsted, etc. I think there are much better ways to showcase why someone should live here instead of zombie children slapping the windows, and zombie mom eating a finger cupcake. It's cute but doesn't really showcase Homewood.

Those arent zombies in Homewood, those are all crack heads!!!

Videos are cute but I don't think they would convince anyone to move to Homewood.

When the videos were 'premiered' during the Fall Fest, the reaction from the huge crowd was overwhelmingly positive. It was a blast to share it with a great crowd out enjoying a beautiful community evening with friends, family and neighbors. They 'get' it TD, it's not all about the cash.

Not everything needs to be "Home - 'sweet' - Homewood". In this case, "Home - 'edgy-creative-humorous-diverse-playful-inclusive' - Homewood" is fine with me.

I think the point of the videos was to be quirky and different and maybe grab someone's attention that's not necessarily researching Homewood and maybe cause them to laugh and say hey what is this Homewood place? Then maybe they hit the village website and find out all the great things you mentioned. This is the type of video that will get shared on social media just because it's funny and different and maybe get seen by those people who who otherwise never consider Homewood or the south suburbs. Great job to everyone involved!! Shared them on my Facebook!

I agree i'ts nicely done, but fail to see what it has to do with Homewood. Sorry, I think the zombie appraoch is childish and embarrassing. Makes me think you only want to live in Homewood if your dead, not a lively vibrant representation of our town at all.

I understand what you are saying Nate but the article clearly states this is part of the "You're In the Right Place" marketing campaign...to bring people to Homewood. Maybe for FrightFest at Great America or the Halloween shop on Halsted...but it just rubs me wrong that people are supposed to watch these and think, "wow...how quirky and artsy...let's check out the web site!" Just my opinion, but it is childish and embarrassing.

I love the videos. They tell the story of how trendsetting and friendly the village is. They show some terrific homes, places of interest (I love that the grapes and grains is spotlighted!), and fabulous families. Zombies are trendy now, more so than ever. I think these videos are fantastic advertising! Great job to all who participated!

This is definitely NOT the best representation of our town. However, the one that starts out with the schools and describes the amenities that Homewood offers would be great if only it didn't have that ridiculous zombie cr*p at the end.

If the mission is to get information about Homewood out into the "electronic world" to attract new residents, why not just put more information about the town and all of the wonderful amenities out there and skip the whole zombie thing all together!

As a side note, I didn't see anything in the Village Key or anywhere else for that matter that indicated we are changing from "Home Sweet Homewood" to "You're in the Right Place"...what does "You're in the Right Place" even mean? Home Sweet Homewood speaks volumes for our town.

Maybe this was targeted at the funny, witty, creative, smart people of the world that realize zombies are not real just one of the most successful marketing tools ever, e.g.: Sears,Toyota and Starburst. Get with it folks. Listen up: The project, the words, and the message in the videos are the representation of Homewood, not the zombies. THE ZOMBIES ARE NOT REAL! Now go watch the videos again with that understanding, and maybe you will see that Homewood is the place to be where your neighbor has a key to your house and your children have more opportunities to not rot their brains out in one of many many parks. I'm so glad I live in Home sweet Hip Homewood where the right messages are being transmitted over many channels to reach the living.

I guess you'll never please everyone. The videos are light hearted, well orchestrated and fun! I certainly enjoyed them and appreciate the quality and hard work that went into them. I have never seen a Village work so hard as to keep things moving in the right direction. The Zombie theme is truly original and definitely perfect timing for the season of course. They are not meant to directly represent Homewood. They are fun videos that are more likely to be shared (fb & You Tube, etc.) because they are well done and again, perfect timing for Halloween. We are "Home Sweet Homewood" and if you live here or own a business here, "You're in the Right Place"! Keep up the good work Homewood. Can't wait to see the next project.

I am so impressed with the Zombie Paradise videos and all involved. Seeing the debut at the Fall Fest was an amazing experience. I just thought, this is definitely the "right place" for my family. It's everything I could ever want in a community, friends, family, festivities, creativity, and moving forward. The videos are just one creative way to spark interest in Homewood and at the same time showed the beautiful landscape, the great schools and parks, local businesses, downtown Homewood, etc. The more traditional advertisements for our great town can also be easily accessed. We definitely are in "The Right Place" and that place is Home Sweet Homewood!
P.S. To address the "cupcake" question...that delicious "finger" dessert was made by a local baker:)

I think it is wonderful that so many Homewood residents volunteered to assist with this project. I saw some familiar faces! Not sure what the big controversy is about Zombies. Look at all the attention Michael Jackson got with his Zombies! There is enough in this world to be serious about....sometimes we just need to have a little fun and not over-analyze everything.

I am surprised at the short sightedness of some of the negative comments left about these videos! They are a clever, funny way to get positive attention on the community. I don't think anyone watching them would assume that Homewood residents are brain dead or that there are real zombies here (how silly!). I think they show a community that comes together for fun and festivity - and it shows all the nice amenities of Homewood in a fresh way! I think it sets Homewood apart as a great, inclusive community that embrases humor and fun. I applaud these efforts to bring the creative spotlight on our town. And I'm sorry for the people that can't see it that way.

The Southland as a whole becomes more integrated every year. But the spring that feeds that is right here, in the Right Place. The phenomenal school district is largely the center that holds us together, but we also have an amazing egalitarian spirit here. We want our kids to take advantage of the school, to have great parks, safe streets to walk and ride on. And we want all this for each other, and for the ones who come after us, too.

Sounds like a good script, right? Good luck with it. The rest of the region looks upon this unique and precious situation and can't see or hear past the Southland rep or the demographic change over the last 20 years. Plus EVERY town wants to tell you how unique and precious it is. How people get along. How its schools are safe and test well. Put your video saying all I just said over there on the pile with the rest.

I was wondering about the decision to shoot (with a camera) zombies to showcase achievement, diversity and tolerance when what we have here (though NOT perfect) is, I think, story-worthy without makeup. But I think about the marketing campaign's goal - to reach the world outside our bubble - within the context of what a lot of the world is still inclined to see...and I'm starting to shuffle slowly, inexorably, toward the zombie side. The zombie vid might be able to shake the story that Homewood is "admirably hanging on." No. We are rising. Look twice - and the video will make one look twice - and I think you'll see it.

Love the videos. This is the type of marketing that young couples want to see. The town is edgy, is fun, is creative, and on top of all that, has great schools and community. Well done.

I liked the way the videos highlighted our village's values -- tolerance, inclusiveness, creativity, commitment to the community -- in a quirky, fun, non-preachy way. I agree with those who said these videos are more likely to be shared on social media than a more traditional presentation. I had a really positive reaction from the non-Homewood folks I shared them with -- they thought the videos were hilarious AND they said how beautiful Homewood was. This sort of thing doesn't do away with the need for more conventional PR efforts (of which there are plenty), but it definitely complements them.

I really am surprised at the negative comments. I often find myself bragging on Homewood and yes, the schools, the parks, the festivals, that we embrace diversity are in those conversations and I will continue to deliver those messages. What these videos do is all that but in a manner that somebody would want to listen.

Case in point.... I have a friend I grew up with in Rockford. After far too long (by her count) she wanted a change. I guess she's been too long in the city that has so often been voted the most undesirable city to live. She did soul searching in Panama and is now in Florida thinking of the midwest - She identified Madison, which we both have agreed is a great place. More recently, I often pushed Homewood, knowing it would fit her artsy, creative sensibilities. And although she has never been here, I got the "No, Steve, I just don't think Homewood would be for me" because she lumped us with so many other boring suburbs. I sent her video links and this is what I got.. "Those were fantastic! I loved them; so adorable. I want to move to Homewood now..." and I think she is seriously considering.

I am sure that Homewood has the stodgy videos and brochures that highlight Homewood's attributes and they pull them out from time to time. But if you're trying to appeal to fun loving, quirky, creative-class, city types, you need a delivery that they will listen to. Sales 101- First get their attention, then pitch the schools, the parks, etc.

I thought it was a lot of fun. I love being a part of a community that can laugh at itself . I choose to live in a community that is full of life and celebrates family and diversity.

I think we need to thank everyone who was involved in this project. The video was definitely appealing, quirky and funny. I loved the idea of letting other communities know about what a great place Homewood is. I felt great about living in such a friendly community. As you can tell, I am a proud Homewoodian.

What is funny is that zombie videos filmed in Homewood werent researched to discover that the national non for profit group called Zombie Squad (that appeared in "Zombies, A Living History" that was broadcasted on the History Channel) actually has regular meetings at The ZONE Comics, which is ALSO located in Homewood.

Loved the message and concept of the videos. Would have like to see more diversity among the videos, but love the idea and the community that came together to make this happen. Follow up video could address all the negatives and people that did not get it. Could be very funny.