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
I am sorry, guys, but I am trying hard to understand this "grassroots campaign" deal? where are those grassroots? in the city hall? where? Portland? Vancouver? We may be in the same statistical region, but culturally, Portland wants nothing to do with Vancouver, where as Vancouver has a lot to offer, being on its own, but with the leadership that does not know the direction, we are in a mess of things... "Controversy sells?" to whom? citizens of Vancouver??? Yeah! Way patriotic grassroots you got going here... No hard feelings.
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Mikhail
Thanks for your input Mikhail, good questions, I like the openness.
ReplyDeleteThe “grassroots” started with a few people who thought we really need to do something about creating more jobs here. From there, many individuals and companies, and yes, municipalities got together to talk about what we can do…folks from Vancouver, Sherwood, Portland, Gresham, Wilsonville, Hillsboro, Tigard, Washougal, Camas and Ridgefield and more. This whole effort was put together on donated time, resources, products and talent. We continue to push forward using volunteers and supportive business to help spread the message to their associates and clients, that this region really is a great place to grow your business and enjoy an amazing quality of life. So, those are the roots. There’s no city dollars here…no economic development grant…we’re all just doing what we can.
I agree with you- There are a lot of folks who feel like you do, “Portland wants nothing to do with us….Vancouver has a lot to offer being on it’s own”.
Many Portlanders do feel like we’re a wart on the otherwise perfect ass of their little city. What they don’t want to admit, but their Economic Development folks know is that a few miles to the north of them, sits a growing community that is larger than any other city in Oregon – and many of these folks work and pay taxes in Oregon. You think we don’t matter to them? Culturally, yes I think for the most part, you’re right, it’s always “cool” to dis your nerdy neighbor….and you know that’s never going to change...but this is about creating jobs in the region – not convincing Portland that Vancouver is cool.
And I agree that Vancouver has much to offer “on it’s own”, as do any of the other 22 cities in the region, but I would also say that our great city is made even better by it’s proximity to a town like Portland. We are 10 minutes away from world class… anything, and still enjoy all the quiet charm of a little city.
That’s the beauty of the whole region really – that looked at together, you have a wide variety of opportunities for living – and business. A wild-life refuge here, manufacturing facilities here and unique neighborhoods all over…
It’s thinking regionally that has helped other areas around the world pull out of the economic funk –They stopped comparing and arguing and started looking at themselves as part of a larger whole.
Strong city leadership is needed of course and as more and more business and individuals learn about, and begin to support the campaign, city leaders, (from all over the region) are paying attention. They know that people are sick of bickering and getting nowhere and this is an easy (and cheap) way to be proactive and empower the people of the region to tell their stories. Stories of what they love about their home town, their region.
My lame comment about controversy selling was simply noticing how quickly this became an “us vs them” in some media outlets. And how people do love their controversy…and so it sells…..no? I guess I was a little bummed that it went there so quickly, when what we’re trying hard to do is to get people to see that like most organic systems, what we create as a whole, is greater than our individual parts.