Palm Beach County is pulling out all the stops to lure New York’s so-called “Zo birds”—once just snowbirds, now rebranded thanks to the incoming mayor, Zohran “Commie” Mamdani—down to the Sunshine State. As New York leans further left with Mamdani’s leftist platform, the business and political elite of Palm Beach County are hustling to seize the moment, and they’re not being subtle about it.
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Times Square Breakup Ads and Boca Raton’s Big Pitch
In the heart of Times Square, digital billboards now deliver a breakup message any jilted lover would recognize: “Dear NYC, it’s not you. It’s me.” The brainchild of Palm Beach County’s Business Development Board, led by Kelly Smallridge, this campaign is every bit as cheeky as it is calculated. The effort is squarely focused on attracting affluent New Yorkers—especially those in finance, tech, and other high-dollar fields—by promising low taxes, good weather, and a business-friendly environment back home in “Wall Street South.”
Dear NYC, it’s not you… it’s me.💔
Palm Beach County’s new “Wall Street South” campaign just hit Times Square, calling on New York’s finance execs to relocate south.☀️🧳 pic.twitter.com/duhWbDkDr1— Katie Bente (@katievbentetv) November 7, 2025
Local officials in Boca Raton have tried to capitalize on this “Zo bird” migration moment, spending city dollars on flashy Times Square billboards inviting New Yorkers to move to Boca Raton. Boca touts its 30% lower operating costs compared to NYC, no state or local income tax, and the lowest property tax rate of any full-service city, ensuring that anyone considering quitting the Big Apple for Boca knows precisely where to go for their next chapter in life.
Kelly Smallridge’s NYC Billboards and Direct Outreach
Kelly Smallridge, the strategic mind behind the Business Development Board (BDB) of Palm Beach County, has blanketed Times Square with bright breakup billboards and is ensuring the message reaches every decision-maker in Manhattan. It’s not just digital ads; her team mailed 500 relocation packets directly to New York CEOs and sent branded merchandise to social media influencers who help amplify the Wall Street South pitch.
The actual billboards are strategically placed in Times Square, visible to anyone who matters in New York’s business world, and they’re aimed squarely at those who can pick up and bring payroll and prestige with them.
Beyond Boca: The Countywide Boom
The marketing blitz is expected to have a ripple effect across southern and northern Palm Beach County. Delray Beach stands to gain from an influx of new residents and entrepreneurs, while West Palm Beach continues to solidify its reputation as “Wall Street South.” With glittering high-rises and luxury amenities sprouting along the Intracoastal north of downtown, the area is becoming a magnet for high-finance refugees and anyone seeking sunshine, pro-business politics, and lifestyle upgrades.
So, “Welcome to Florida, Zo Birds.” Just remember why you left the rotting Big Apple and embrace the local politics down here, where freedom isn’t just a slogan—it’s a reality. Enjoy your new nest, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself featured in a glamorous Palm Beach ad, the next time you stroll through Times Square.
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