Dear Editor,
After almost three years in the making, on June 27, the Economic Development Committee (EDC) presented its Community Brand concepts to Council which gave unanimous endorsement.
The initiative has been developed by 100% Bowen Island volunteers and businesses. StoryTellings Consulting, a Bowen based international research firm, conducted surveys on visitors, residents and businesses. Rethink Canada, an award winning national organization whose founder lives on Bowen Island, took the research and developed the creative portion. Both of these organizations provided their services pro-bono.
It is worth noting that the brand concepts presented to Council in June were always intended as a starting point, and a work in progress. Nonetheless, this unfinished work generated a lot of interest in our community and in the media. Even in its rough form, the work helped generate an estimated two hundred thousand dollars of free publicity for our Island and helped boost traffic to the Tourism Bowen website by upwards of 70 percent.
It also generated many spirited discussions in our community. Many loved the approach, but there were also some concerns raised about some of the pieces and wording in the rough presentation.
Have no fear: we have been listening!
The brand is intended to be a communication vehicle for all organizations and residents on Bowen Island to speak with the same voice… with pride.
The first building block for the brand is the Brand Mark itself. It is simply the words “Bowen Island” in a hand-drawn font with two stylized fir trees. In addition to the brand mark, there are fonts and colors that reflect the spirit of our Island. All of these elements will remain consistent over time.
To give the brand personality, we’ve created four mascots: a deer, a slug, a seal and an eagle. Each of these mascots reflect a different side of our community and a different strength of our Island. The mascots each have their own personality and their own tagline. These taglines will be updated over time to stay fresh and relevant. We’re confident everyone in the community will find “their Bowen” reflected in at least one of these colorful characters and taglines.
On August 27, drop by the EDC tent at Bowfest. There will be a spin and win, giveaways, information regarding the brand and an opportunity to purchase your choice of mascot t-shirts. Come by and give your suggestions for future taglines for each of the mascots.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Gordon Ganong-Chair
Economic Development Committee
