Dear Editor:
We moved here half a year ago. I’ve been following the rebranding process for well over a year – from overseas – in the Undercurrent, the muni newsletters, etc. Information about it was easy to find, easy to follow and I’d guess easy to get involved in the process for anyone who would have been interested.
In general, people who get elected to make certain decisions should be able to make decisions, without everyone who doesn’t like them crying out for a direct consultation and a referendum every time they do. As far as a brand goes it’s not anything the island “needs” – but it’s good to have.
It’s not called “brand identity” for nothing and it helps the community to define itself and others to understand who we are and what we stand for.
A brand is like that moment at a party when you meet someone new and introduce yourself, tell them who you are and what you do in just a sentence or two.
Sure, most people will just paint themselves in the brightest colours in such a situation ... but really, you’ll find out what that person is really like after a little while. False advertising is the biggest turnoff after all. Let people know that you are a yoga-slug before they get here!
I have only been here for a little over six months. I have seen what this community is all about and how it acts.
I have looked at it from the outside and experienced it from the inside. All I can tell you is – even just following this little discussion here – we are worthy of such a pointy, tongue-in-cheek – but still serious in tone, kinda sorta but not really, maybe – brand.
Christoph Haase
