“The City of Prince George does not have a brand.”
That comes from a report by City Manager Walter Babicz that will be presented at tomorrow’s (Monday) Regular City Council Meeting.
The report says while the City has a logo of a Y-shaped base, symbolizing the convergence of rivers, railways, and highway, a brand is more than a logo.
The Communications division of the City is undertaking a ‘City brand project’.
“Creating a city brand can provide dividends,” said Babicz in his report.
“The City’s brand would be for our residents and businesses, and would help with our identity and community pride. It is intended to help shape and promote growth and revitalization.”
The project is being broken down into two phases. The first of which would involve developing the brand, and the second would be implementing it.
As a part of phase one, the city started with research on what already exists in the community, such as the Tourism PG brand, work from the City’s economic development division, as well as comments on hundreds of social media posts on the City’s page and other community pages.
The next steps in phase one include:
- A community survey on what we love most about our city,
- community workshops, and
- social media conversations and polls.
This city says phase one will provide:
- A summary of the feedback on who our citizens think we are and what is best about Prince George,
- A brand identity including proposed language, brand story, and brand personality.
At the conclusion of the first phase, administration will report back to City Council regarding the proposed brand identity.
Phase two will begin in 2023 at council’s direction, and will provide a brand strategy with objectives to further develop the brand.
Phase two may have some budget implications, which will be brought back before Council before initiating.
The budget items could include things like replacing signage, public benches, or public artwork.
Babicz’s report notes that these items are optional, and could be phased in over time as those items are in need of replacement.
There would also be non-budget items, such as images used on the City’s website.
Other items to be discussed at tomorrow’s meeting include an amendment to the Safe Streets Bylaw, expressions of interest for Naming Rights of the PG Coliseum, and an update on planning for the BC Summer Games.
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