What's in a Name?

We figured it was time...
Time to create a place where we can share our thoughts, experiences and passions with you in a casual setting cause that's how we roll—if you don't know by now. We hope to give you a little something to inspire you, maybe change your perception and actually help your business. 

With this first post, I think a good place to start is with our name—Tribe2. To quote the double rainbow guy, "what does it mean?" We get asked this all the time. And like our work, it has several layers of meaning.

Tribe speaks to community. We stay active in our community, donating hundreds of hours of pro-bono and volunteer work for causes and projects we believe in. We also love elevating the image of Mom & Pop shops. Their people like us, pursing their dreams, pouring their time and passion into their businesses and offering an alternative to chain and box stores. It’s much easier to find truth and love in the work of small businesses. It helps us sleep at night knowing our work isn’t a vehicle for some mega-corporation to sell you hollow, soul-less, mass produced shit. 

That’s why we feel like we couldn’t be in a better place. Our region is rich in Independence, adventure and culture, from Powell’s and Upper Playground in Portland, the beautiful Washougal River, the serene Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge to the oak lined Officers Row next door. This place kicks ass! Our community, our city, our tribe. 

Beyond the fact that it was started by the two of us as our own little adventure breaking away from the man, 2 is an alternative way of seeing things. We’re not as interested in the bottom line as we are in helping to make a difference. In a world of templates and clipart we are artists first, primarily self taught. We have learned to run our business through thinking about what makes sense for our clients and how we can do what we love and help people at the same time. It’s been hard at times, but also rewarding beyond belief. We look for more than the win-win, we hope that we can produce work that’s good for the client, good for the audience, good for us and good for the planet as a whole. Maybe our ideas are lofty and this might not be the best business model, if you could call it that. We’re not going to be rich anytime soon, but we are happy.

What the hell is "Land Here, Live Here" anyway?

Last spring a small group of business and community leaders decided to start a long, much needed conversation: How can we shine a light on this area to attract employers and jobs?

The conversation continued and over 200+ businesses got involved: ports, cities and schools. It became clear something had to be done differently. Tribe2 competed against 5 other design firms, and we won the opportunity to 'represent' for our community.

And represent we did, we worked closely with Identity Clark County, The City of Vancouver, The Port of Vancouver and Amplify Group Inc. We helped conceive and execute the start of a campaign that you're bound to hear about. We developed a logo, campaign-style, a voice including print materials, banners, shwag and a basic website.

After the launch of the campaign, the press did what the press does best: get the story wrong. With headlines like "Re-Branding Vancouver", and brilliant posts like this one, it' no wonder the public is confused.  Suddenly, this was about changing the name of Vancouver, Portland vs. Vancouver, and T-shirt battles?  WTF? Oh yeah...controversy sells.

Here are some facts to help clarify what we're doing and why.
The Land Here, Live Here campaign is a regional grassroots effort to promote the Portland-Vancouver  Region to employers looking to expand or start a business. 


Why “Portland-Vancouver USA”?
This is the name of our Metropolitan Statistical Area, or MSA.  This is how local economic development agencies and company site selectors describe our region.  The U.S. Census Bureau's definition for our MSA is all of the following counties: Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, Washington and Yamhill Counties in Oregon and Clark County and Skamania County in Washington.

Why should I care?
Economies don’t  adhere to the boundaries of a city, county, or state line. Each community contains unique assets that make the whole region, as a sum, more desirable to business.  To grow, we need to work together as a region.   For each new job created by a company (e.g. manufacturing), it generates 3 new jobs in service, retail and construction throughout the region.  When a company grows or moves to the region, everyone benefits, not just the immediate community where the business is located.

Tell your story.  G­row your business.  Get involved.
We’re looking to work with business leaders who want to share their story and promote the region as  a place where you can grow your business and enjoy an amazing quality of life.  From Ads in trade magazines and banners for conventions, to using the logo on your e-mail, print and web communications, you can help us share the opportunities we have to offer with the people who are looking.

www.LandHereLiveHere.com
Visit our website or Contact Ginger Metcalf with Identity Clark County (360) 695-4116 or ginger@identityclarkcounty.org