Like every product or company, every city has a brand, whether it's formalized or not. Having said that, the most successful city brands are the ones where the messaging is simple, and consistent. Nashville works because it went all into the music, Vegas works because it went all into sin and entertainment. They have one simple brand message and don't muddle things up by trying to be everything. I'm sure there's lots of other things going on in those cities too, but they take their most valuable characteristic, and go all in.
I think this new logo is fairly mediocre, but then again I think the whole "Blue Sky City" thing is mediocre. Not because it's ugly or I dislike like the fonts (although I can't say I love them)....but because as a brand this package doesn't distinguish us in anyway way. Worse, it throws away the things that do...things that other tourism boards of other undistinguished mid-sized cities like Edmonton or Cincinnati would kill for. Western/Native heritage, the energy sector, and the Rockies....that's what we're known for and that's why people come here. The older logos and tagline may not have been award winners, but atleast they spoke to these defining characteristics.
I don't think a city brand is just for tourism, but when it comes to attracting visitors, you need to stand for something, or you stand for nothing. Nobody wants to hear about your city's diversity or how you're great at everything, because that just translates to a generic muddled up experience. People travel to places for specific experiences.
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