HomeMy WebLinkAboutCDN 2017-08-14 Item 2A - Update - Visitor Marketing: Brand Mark Criteria and Review ProcessCity of Tukwila
Allan Ekberg, Mayor
INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
TO: Community Development and Neighborhoods
FROM: Brandon Miles, Business Relations Manager
CC: Mayor Ekberg
DATE: August 7, 2017
SUBJECT: Visitor Marketing, Brand Development: Brandmark Criteria and Review
Process
ISSUE
Staff would like Committee input on the criteria and process process for review and approval of
a brandmark to be used for the City's visitor branding efforts.
A "brandmark" represents a branding decision in which a design element, such as a
symbol, logo, distinct lettering, or character is used to provide visual recognition for a
product.
BACKGROUND
Brief Overview of Process to Date
In December of 2016, the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign an agreement with Bill
Baker, with Total Destination Marketing, to assist the City in developing a completing brand for
the Southcenter area of the City. This brand is targeted to people within 50 miles of the City
who would visit for the day to shop, dine, and recreate, otherwise known as "day visitors. The
overall goal of the project is to bring more visitors to the City and drive more revenue to area
businesses.
As we have gone through this branding process, we have also realized that our efforts to bring
more day visitors to the City could also be beneficial in how the City positions itself for overnight
guests. Great places to visit during the day are also great places to stay for the night.
This branding project is funded primarily with proceeds from the City's lodging tax, which, under
State Law, can only be used for tourism promotion.
As part of the brand development process, City staff formed a Brand Advisory Committee (BAC)
to assist in the development of the brand. The BAC includes stakeholders with experience in
marketing and is being used as an advisory committee for staff and Mr. Baker to offer their local
expertise and knowledge of the area as the City develops the brand.
On May 22nd, following a recommendation from the BAC, the City Council supported a brand
concept for Tukwila called, "Accessible Fun." As a reminder, a brand concept is the general idea
or abstract meaning behind a brand. A brand concept is used to give consistency to a brand's
identity. It can be described as the first thing the City wants to pop into potential visitor's head
when they think of the City. A brand concept is for internal use only and will not be used as a
tagline or slogan. Identifying the brand concept was an important part of the branding process
and needed to be completed before the City could move to the creation of the brand visual
identity (brandmark).
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
Page 2
Visual Identity
The next important milestone in the branding process is the creation of the brand visual identity.
The visual identity will consist of a brandmark, which will be used in a variety of ways, including
print and digital ads, wayfinding signs, gateway signs into the Southcenter area of the City, and
digitally. The brandmark is riot intended to be used outside of the City's efforts for tourism', it will
not replace logos and wordmarks used by other City Departments, nor will the wordmark
replace the City seal.
Exhibit "A" are examples of brandmarks in use by other municipalities throughout the world.
DISCUSSION
Staff is proposing to bring to the City Council three proposed brandmarks for consideration by
the City Council. Staff would like input from the Council on the criteria to be used in reviewing
the proposed brandmarks.
Based on their quantitative and qualitative research here in Tukwila, as well as their expertise,
the following is the criteria proposed by Bill Baker and his team:
1. Best captures the Tukwila brand description?
2. The most attractive?
3. Represents a forward looking city?
4. Represents a multi -cultural community?
5. Represents a fun place?
6. Is contemporary and modern?
7. is casual and relaxed?
8. is welcoming and friendly?
9. Is appropriate for families?
10. Is appropriate for Millennials?
11. Is flexible for variety of marketing applications?
12. Is your preferred design?
Staff is suggesting that Bill Baker present the proposed brandmarks to the City Council at its
August 28'11 Committee of the Whole meeting. Prior to the briefing to the City Council, staff is
proposing additional outreach to stakeholders for their input on the proposed brandmarks. The
BAC reviewed the proposed brandmarks at its August 2nd meeting. Additionally, Mr. Baker is
getting input from travel, marketing, and design professionals on the proposed brandmarks.
' For overnight guests, outside of the area, the City partners with the cities of Des Moines and SeaTac under the
"Seattle Southside" administrated by Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority.
Z:1Council Agenda Itemavlayor's OfficelBrandmark Review (Do not delete until Octaber10ratt memo, critera and process, 2017,08.08.doc
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INFORMATIONAL MEMO
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Brandmark Review Schedule
Date
Item
Notes
August 2n6 through August
23rd
Staff gets inputs from BAC
and other stakeholders an
proposed brandmarks. if
needed, refinements are
made before presentation of
final drafts to the City Council.
Outside expert review panel
review.
August 28th
Committee of the Whole
meeting presentation by Bill
Baker and city staff.
Refer the brandmarks to
Community Development and
Neighborhoods (CDN),
September 11th
CDN review of brandmarks.
Committee recommendation
to the full Council.
September 25th
Committee of the Whole
review of CDN's
recommendation.
Consensus on brandmark.
October 2nd
Regular Council
Motion adopting brandmark.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff would like Committee input on the proposed criteria for evaluating the brandmark and
process for review by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
• Examples of brandmarks used by other municipalities.
Z:\Council Agenda ItemslMayor's OificelBrandmark Review (Do not delete until October}\Draft memo, critera and process, 2017.08.08.doc
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