The signs in the baggage department at Kansas City airport say, “Welcome to Kansas City, the heart of America.”  Thirty years ago I would have agreed.  That’s the city P&G picked as the test market for Bounce.

But now, I don’t know.  Kansas City hasn’t changed that much except for the good.  It is America that has changed.

Up to the 1950′s the show business belief was that if it played in Peoria it would play in America.   They used to premier films there to plan the national distribution.   It’s been a long time since I have heard Peoria mentioned, in fact since the early days of Richard Pryor whom I believe was raised in Peoria.

SO I ASK YOU.  What is the symbolic “heart of America” now?  Do we have one?  Is it now Miami, or New York, or Los Angeles because of their more up to date ethnic mix?  Is there any place that ideologically represents the nation?  Is there anywhere that translates to “little America” to use a term from test market translation? Help me here.