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EDSR INFORMATION #2 01-9-2012lNF~1RMATION City E t~ver MEMORANDUM TO: Economic Development Authority FROM: Clay Wilfahrt, Assistant Director of Economic Development DATE: 9 January 2012 SUBJECT: Branding Update BRANDING PROGRESS At the September 12th 2011 EDA meeting, chandlerthinks presented the brand plan that was the culmination of their research throughout the branding process which began in January of 2011. The brand plan identified a brand promise, tagline and creative interpretations for the brand. The plan also included recommended strategies for implementation. At the September 12th meeting, the EDA authorized staff to move forward with implementing the Elk River brand, followed by authorization from the City Council on September 19th. The branding project was identified as a goal in the Visioning and Goals approved by the Elk River City Council, and it has been deemed a priority by the EDA and Council. In December 2011, the branding steering committee, which is .comprised of city staff members Tina Allard, RaeAnn Gardner, Michelle Martindale, Cal Portner, and Clay Wilfahrt, and the branding subcommittee have been working diligently to build brand momentum. The brand plan identified the need for a single communications person to make quick, responsive decisions, and steering committee was formed to act as that single person. The committee recently identified 23 goals that were in the brand plan as priorities, and assigned an accountable party and expected timeline for completion of the goals (attached). To further promote the brand as well as circulate ideas for implementation, staff created at http://poweredbynature.blog.com as a point of reference for staff and the community. Staff updates the blog on a regular basis and began a campaign to have guest articles written about how the brand empowers local leaders. A new monthly newsletter, Branding Connections, is being released within City Hall to maintain high awareness among all city staff. f i^ E ~ E® /- NA Private sector businesses and other organizations continue to demonstrate support. Here are a few notable uses for December: • Elk River municipal utilities is distributing Powered by Nature tattoos • The Activity center received pens with the logo • Alan Sakry of Mortgages Unlunited included the logo on his marketing materials • ERMU included the logo on its receipts Staff continues to maintain a strong, branded Facebook presence. Staff is executing the recommended strategy of the brand plan of coordinating all city Facebook pages' messages. Coordination revolves around a theme each month. The themes for the first four months of the year are: • January -Powered by Fire and Ice • February -Energized by Love • March -Powered by Nature • April -Energized by Spring A meeting was held with all members of city staff involved in marketing to give an update on the brand and outline upcoming initiatives. The Economic Development Department is redesigning marketing materials to match the brand theme. The branding subcommittee met for a final time and decided to absolve and form aprivate-sector based Brand Champions Team. The team will be composed of community leaders from the private and public sectors. The intention of the group will be to promote the brand throughout the community. They will meet for the first time at the YMCA on January 31st ATTACHMENTS • Branding Goals • Blog Articles • Sample Uses • City Newsletter r®^~:Ee er .. ~ . -. .. ~ . - e. ~ -. Hold meeting with each department about the current Tina 1 progress of the brand Oct-11 Oct-11 Hold an all-employee meeting to discuss the progress of Tina 2 the brand May/June 2012 Hold a final branding subcommittee meeting and segue Clay 3 into a private branding entity Jan-12 Clay 4 Conduct communications audits of each department Jan-12 5 Hold a meeting of city marketing committee Clay Dec-11 Clay 6 Present branding to private organizations and businesses Ongoing Send an informational memo to everyone about the Tina 7 brand's progress Dec-11 8 Blog posts Everyone Ongoing 9 Assernble brand marketing materials RaeAnn Jan-12 10 Identify funding and resources Tina May-12 11 Put communication touch points to work RaeAnn Dec-11 12 Social media Clay Feb-12 13 Leverage community organizations Clay Ongoing 14~~~ Leverage existing events RaeAnn Jan-12 15 Align branding with city's vision and goals Tina Jan-12 16 Energize The Currents Tina Jan-12 17 Assemble a powerful database RaeAnn Feb-12 18 Custor~~er relationship management RaeAnn Feb-12 19 Brand the city's publications ~ Tina/RaeAnn Jan-12 20 Pump up the website Clay Nov-11 21 Trademarking Clay Nov-11 22 External Communication from Council to Residents Tina Mar-12 23 Consolidate Press release contacts Tina/RaeAnn Mar-12 Branding Plan Dashboard Goal #I -Hold meetings with each dept. about the current progress of the brand Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Provide updates at Tina/Annie October 2011 Currently doing at weekly weekly staff meeting staff meetings with dept. of dept./div. heads/div. managers . mana ers Meet with each Tina October 2011 Would like to Monthly Admin Mtgs department about wait until RaeAnn handling at Parks & current progress of guidelines are Rec. the brand completed so Clay handling. at Com. Dev. can also Met with Police Dept.-Dec review 15 branding on Need to schedule: clothing for Finance/IT/Liquor those dept. WWTP that order a HR lot. Rollout in Fire January. Bldg. Maint. Streets An Others? Goal #2 -Hold an all-employee meeting to discuss the progress of the brand Action Steps Resp. Target Completion Comments Date Date Hold an all-employee Tina/Clay/RaeA February Should include whole meeting to discuss the nn/Michelle/Co 2012 committee and maybe progress of the brand mmunity couple others from Members community. Do it after Brand Champions start meeting so this can be hi hli hted. Planning scheduled to begin on an. 18. Need to schedule a date and create a ro am. Goal#3 - Hold a final branding subcommittee meeting and segue into a private branding entity Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Hold final Clay November November Subcommittee 17th 17`" Meetin Assemble private Clay January 2012 Will be holding this meeting branding group and on January 31st at the hold meetin YMCA. Serve as liason to Clay Ongoing the private sector Brandin committee Goal #4 -Conduct communications audits of each department Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Hold audit meetings Clay January 2012 with each department's marketin erson Follow up on and Clay Ongoing review progress. Report findings to steering committee. Amend strategy as necessa Goal #5 - Hold a meeting of city marketing committee Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Schedule and hold a Clay December December meeting with city 2011 16~'. marketing committee Follow-up and Clay December consider hosting 2011 another meeting in earl 2012 Goal #6 -Present branding to private organizations and businesses Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments Identi Cla On oin Identified a large group and organizations to working way down list. present branding Presentation given to YMCA information to And Board, Library Board, Rotary, deliver presentations Two Rivers Referrals, Rivers Edge Business Association and several local businesses. Follow up with Clay information Goal # 7 -Send an informational memo to everyone about the brand's progress Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Get comments Tina Start December Ongoing First issue sent on from Branding 2011 December 13. Committee on what they see happening. Send link/reminder to blo January Topics: ^ Focus on highlighting internal branding ^ Update on Brand Champions Team How can we This may fall under bring front line Goal #11. Most citizens staff on board will not interact with a with branding? Councilmember but they will have contact with the guy plowing their street. How can they have more involvement in selling and connection with the brand? Goal # 8 - Blog posts Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Generate ideas and post on blog twice er week Everyone Ongoing Goal #9 -Assemble brand marketing materials Action Steps Resp. Target Completion Comments Date Date Contact other RaeAnn Dec 14`'' departments that use the brand in their marketin Gather materials RaeAnn Dec 30`'' Make copies of example RaeAnn Jan 6t'' ackets for each erson Goal #10 -Identify funding and resources Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Work with Tina May 2012 for Strategize with branding and Budget Visioning Committee. visioning committee to Unknown for visioning Program into budget and highlight branding determine initiatives to Council projects and program into 2012 bud et For external Whoever is on resources Brand Champions Committee Goal # I I -Put communication touch points to work Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments Attend city marketing RaeAnn December Tina's comments: Lot of meeting and identify 2011 sites discuss Elk River that places they could be we can control/enhance using the brand in their such as Wikipedia. Should marketing efforts review them and see how to enhance. Jennifer is working on a history of the city murals. Give example of how the RaeAnn December ci is currentl usin the 2011 brand Look at ways to connect RaeAnn Ongoing other city business websites to the brand Goal #12 -Social Media Plan Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Train Marketers Clay December how to use 2011 Facebook efficientl Collect Testimonials Clay February 2012 for You Tube Create and optimize Michelle ?? ERMU social. media resence Goal #13 -Leverage Community Organizations Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments See oals #3 and #6 Cla Goal #14 -Leverage existing events Action Steps Resp. Target Completion Comments Date Date Consider how to RaeAnn December incorporate brand into /Ongoing recreation events Discuss with city RaeAnn January/O marketers how to use the ngoing brand in all ci events Talk to Jake about RaeAnn January/O creating video promoting ngoing the brand Send out annual survey RaeAnn November on what businesses like, 2012 want, need and expect. Use information to make chan es or rethink. Goal # 15 -Align branding with city's vision and goals Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Brand plan is Tina Visioning Tied to goa110 designed and Sessions -January developed to support the vision and empower the goals. Utilize brand to accomplish visionin ro~ects. Goal # 16 -Energize The Currents Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Redesign to Tina January 2012 In process match all city ublications Use testimonials Various article January 2012 Ongoing . January issue will have and quotes writers a couple of.quotes and testimonials. Add more Clay November 2012 Ongoing 2 business highlights in information winter edition related to business spotlight highlight or involve business communi Highlight a set After Branding Ongoing piece for the Champions has editorial calendar calendar created. Goal # 17 - Assemble a powerful database Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments Discuss forming .one city RaeAnn January database with other city marketers Discuss the possibility of RaeAnn Now- the city as a whole getting January a new software credit card system that would include marketing opportunities similar to Constant Contact Collect excel forms of RaeAnn Ongoing email address that everyone has already collected to begin putting together a database. Decide which system RaeAnn February would meet all our needs and set up the account and enter all emailing addresses Educate everyone on the RaeAnn February user ID and password for the account Goal #18 -Customer relationship management Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments See oal #17 Goal # 19 -Brand the city's publications Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date All publications Tina/RaeAnn October 2011 In Process have a similar look and feel Are there other RaeAnn Per Goal #9, publications we need to review? RaeAnn to assemble all marketing materials. Energy City Tina/RaeAnn/Rebecca January 2012 Will check with Initiatives RaeAnn after Dec 30 when all marketin materials are collected. Have programmed into calendar. Sent email to Nicki, Chris, Rebecca to give them a heads up on what we need to review. Municipal Michelle/If help ??info in brand Utilities needed, Tina/RaeAnn lan Goal #20 -Pump up the Website Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments Explore a redevelopment of the city, ERMU and EDA website Clay, Tina and Michelle November 2011 Goal #2 I -Trademarking Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments Complete State and Federal Trademarkin Clay/Cal November 2011 Trademarking sent to City Attorney for filing. Goal #22 -External communication from Council to Residents Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Date Comments Ma or's messa a Tina Ma 2011 On oin Research options Tina January 2012 Should CC be and evaluate rotated. easiest and best Information method reviewed by staff prior to release Jennifer has be the research phase and should have to me by mid- December. Select options or Tina February 2012 a method and brie to Council First March 2012 Ongoing communication com leted Goal # 23 -Consolidate press release contacts Action Steps Resp. Target Date Completion Comments Date Create Press Tina October 2011 In process Release template Include events on with helpful tips Explore Minnesota site. School District has an online system. May be worth checking out. Utilize hyper-local sites such as KSTP or patch.com Website sends out weekly email updates to subscribers. Consolidate press Tina/RaeAnn See comment Tie to Goal #17 release contacts when assemble database Formulate plan Tina/RaeAnn March 2012 for educating staff, roll out, when to utilize, how to utilize 1 /6/12 Powered by Nature ~ Powered by Nature Powered by Nat e • Home Ener ig_zed b~y Exceptional Educators January 6, 2012 -Posted by PbN - 0 Comments We always talk about how the "Nature" in Powered by Nature refers not only to the outdoors, but also to the disposition of our residents. Here is an excellent example of an educator who exhibits a compassionate and enthusiastic disposition. Elk River is Energized by Educators! htt~•llwww karel l com~comments/954522/26/Land-of-10000-Stories-St-Andrew-School-saves-best-for-last- Continue Reading... Powered by the Green Stew Program January 4, 2012 -Posted by PbN - 0 Comments Elk River is making national headlines for its innovative approaches to reduce energy use! The Green Step program has helped the city greatly reduce wasteful practices. To see the full article go here: http//www govtechcon~/technology/Minnesota-Greenstep-Cities.html Continue Reading._ Powered by Personal Co unity Involvement December 27, 2011 -Posted by PbN - 0 Camtnents ,. ~; ~~~. aaya ~ ~ta~ ~r~.~rraE~v~ r~ u~t~ t~ s~r~~ ~~,~ar~ ~a ~ra~a, > t~tss, c ~~ ,~ r~,n~~... poweredbynature. blog.com 1 /$ 1/6/12 Powered by Nature ~ Powered by Nature By Alan Sakry Being part of a corr>rrnariity of people is one of the basic essentials to a person becoirurig fully actualized. We all want to be part of something. Being part of a great comirnuuty hke we have in EIk River allows us the opportunity to have a sense of togetherness. To use the cliche: a sense of true coirnnunity. Corr>riniriity means different things to different people. To me, it means walking into a restaurant and seeing familiar faces or being at the local hotel for a fimily party and knowing that your kids are safe because you know the staffpersonally, or going to the park and meeting friends because it is an easy, quick and safe way to have some family fun. I have become involved over the years in many different charities and comrrninity organizations because I believe strongly in what they stand for. I befieve that if we all want to enjoy the benefits of living in a small community and want said coirnrnanity to grow, prosper and function well, we must all get involved and do our part. Doing our part means being leaders, workers and helping when help is needed. I strongly believe that we must all be leaders to help oiar own personal and local economies soar. We must work together to support each other and develop a sense of comrnutiity, not only by the proximity in which we live, but more important by how we help one another and offer services that will keep everyone moving forward. I support the City of Elk River because they support me. Our infrastructure, our law enforcement, our street services, our schools, our library, and our YMCA all play a massive role in our quality of life. It only seems natural to me that we get behind the very entity that makes all of this possible in a corninunily that we all love! Powered by Nature says it all -powered by the nature of our people, by our service to each other, and by our coirnnitinent to building a stronger community one person, one business, and one child at a time. My business has adopted the Powered by Nature tagline along with the phrase: Energized by Service. My service is to my community. My business's service is to my clients. Providing excellent customer service is my motto and has been for over 15 years. In a service related business, it is all we have. Develop a strong sense of service and your business will soar to great heights. I strongly befieve in the theory of "give to get". Drop your personal agenda and focus more on what you can do for others, whether that is in your personal life, or your business. Giving first does some incredible things for you Mostly, it makes you feel amazing, and that alone is worth every minute and dime invested! Contn7ue Reading... Energized b~ usiess December 12, 2011 -Posted by PbN - 0 Comments Elk River is a corrirrniriity that is powered by the kind, friendly and dedicated nature of its businesses. An excellent example of that is E & O Tool & Plastics: poweredbynature.blog.com ti8 1 /6/12 E&O Tool & Plastics Powered by Nature ~ Powered by Nature In 1986 E&O Tool and Plastics was founded by Don Erdman and Jim Osterman. Currently employing 120 people in EIk River, E&O produces a wide variety of plastics parts including water filters, window components, automotive components, and mouth guards. They started out in the small budding next to the YMCA with two injection presses and a solid business plan. Don's talents related to the overall process of making a plastics part, and Jim's expertise related to building the molds that form the plastic parts. It was a good blend, and the company grew. After five years they had grown the business to roughly $2mn71ion in sales per year and needed a larger building. In 1991 they purchased the original All Tool binding and moved the operations across town. By 2001,E & O Tool & Plastics' sales had grown to over $11 mullion. That year, Don & Jim decided to sell their business to three of their employees-Tim Osterman, Gary Pearson, and Jay Caswell E&O Tool & Plastics continues to manufacture plastic components in Elk River, and its sales are projected to reach $22 mullion for 2011. Tim Ostem~an, CEO ofE&O Tool says that he loves Elk River for the fact that his business can be in a smaller town, and yet be only 45 minutes from downtown Mirmeapolis. E&O is very committed to the commYtmity and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Successful manufacturing businesses like E&O Tool and Plastics not only provide well paying jobs for numerous residents, but they also help strengthen our tax base. The City of Elk River appreciates and supports its local manufacturers like E&O Tool and Plastics! For more information on E&O Tool and Plastics, visit httnJ/www.eoplastics.com~ or give them a call at 763- 441-6100. Continue Reading._ Energized by Business December 7, 2011 -Posted by PbN - 0 Comments Elk River is a comnnunity that is powered by the kind, friendly and dedicated nature of its businesses. An excellent example of that is Elk River Printing. Elk River Printing Elk River Printing was established February 1, 1982 by Bill and Joann Fish of Monticello, Minnesota. Bt71 worked at the EIk River Star News for 15 years prior and was offered the opportunity to purchase printing equipment from Elmer L. Anderson. Bbl and Joann's daughter Julie was 18 at the time and not sure what she wanted to be when she grew up, so Bill and Joann asked her if she would be their employee and help with answering the phone and waiting on customers. A couple years later, help was needed in production and they hired their son Bill. Elk River Printing was first located in the lower level of Martin Plaza, across from the Dairy Queen off Highway poweredbynature.blog.com 3B 1 /6/12 Powered by Nature ~ Powered by Nature 10. In 1990, the Fishs purchased 596 Dodge Avenue. In 1994, Bi71 and Joann retired and sold the business to Julie and Bill For nearly 30 years Elk River Printing has offered quality products and exceptional customer service. Elk River Printing offers a wide variety of services including letterhead, envelopes, business cards, graphic design, brochures, invitations, gift certificates, banners, vinyl graphics, catalogs, Christmas greeting projects, and more. Walk in to Elk River Printing and you will find B>71 and Julie Fish still working at the family business and representing exactly the type ofpeople that give Elk River such a great narr~! When asked what their favorite part of Elk River is, Julie said "Our favorite part of Elk River is the people that we have the pleasure of working with on a day-to-day basis." Elk River Printing is powered by its customers. Elk River Printing received the 2011 Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Year Award, and on February 1St, 2012, Elk River Printing will be celebrating 30 years of business in Elk River! Stop in to Elk River Printing to experience their excellent customer service first-hand. The City of Elk River is appreciative and supportive of small businesses like Elk River Printing that keep our comrmanity inspired and empowered. For more information on Elk River Printing, visit: httpJ/www.ekriverprinting comb or call 763-441-6092. Continue Reading... Elk River: Powered by Nature Update December 5, 2011 -Posted by PbN - 0 Comments Powered by Nature. That is the creative interpretation that symbolizes the new brand for Elk River. Powered by Nature is a symbol of Elk River's identity as a comm~anity driven by the power of the outdoors, as well as the friendly nature of the people of Elk River. The brand journey, however, encompasses much more than just the creative interpretation. Why does a cones need a brand? A cornirnniity's reputation can be the basis of many decisions. A 2008 survey indicated that when considering relocation or expansion, 71 % of CEOs create a short list of locations to consider without ever talking to economic development professionals. This means that a City's reputation or brand determines whether or not a comirntruty wi71 be on the short list for such investments 71 % of the time. A brand plan creates a unified voice speaking about the positive attrbutes of the corranunity that consistently lands the coirnnunity on those short lists. Elk River's brand journey started when Elk River Economic Development Authority identified branding as a goal in its 2009-2012 strategic plan because Elk River lacked a strong, unified marketing identity. The Economic Development Authority hired a consultant, formed a branding subcommittee comprised of comrrnuuty members and staff; and the trek began. poweredbynature.blog.com 4/8 1 /6/12 Powered by Nature ~ Powered by Nature The consultants confirrned that Elk River did lack a strong, unified marketing identity. In a survey of Twin Cities' metro residents, only 13% of respondents mentioned Elk River when asked to name corrmninities within an hour north of the Twin Cities. Further, city departments, corrnrniriity organizations, businesses and residents were all singing di$erent variations of the same song to outsiders. Why does this matter? Think of a room fiill of people all signing different notes inharmoniously. It is not particularly pleasant to listen to. Now think of the same room singing the same note in harmony. Suddenly we have a room full of beautiful sound that will catch the attention of those passing by. By properly implementing the branding plan-a 165 page document guiding staff how to best utilize existing resources more effectivel~we can use existing resources and funding to create a harmonious voice for the comrrnariity that attracts people from far away. The City and Elk River Municipal Utilities has aheady begun incorporating the brand into marketing materials. The City and Elk River Municipal Utilities has used existing resources such as business cards, letterhead, meeting agendas, newsletters and other marketing materials as platforms to spread the brand. The depth extends to over 40 comtrnunications touch points for each department in the City of Elk River that will be analyzed and optimized according to the brand plan. Numerous businesses and organizations such as Kemper Drug, Attics to Basements, The Arts Alliance, Downtown River's Edge Business Association, and Elk River Activity Center are also using the brand in their marketing efforts. Billboards, pamphlets, email signatures and flyers have all been branded by these businesses and organizations. The breadth of the brand journey expands far beyond the walls of City HaIL Crucial to the success of the brand is involvement of local civic organizations, businesses and residents. So how can you start helping to energize the new brand? • Join the Brand Champions Team which will be formed of comrmanity leaders who will spearhead the brand journey in the commuriity • Incorporate the brand into the marketing materials of businesses or organizations that you are involved in • Submit photos of what powers Elk River • Spread information about the brand via word-of-mouth • Send us a testimonial telling us what powers you For more information on these ideas or for ideas on how to utilize the brand in your own marketing, contact 763- 635-1000 or visit our blog at www.poweredbvnatttre.blog.com or website at www.cielk- river.mn.us/poweredbynature. Continue Reading... Powered by Transit December 2, 2011 -Posted by PbN - 0 Cornrrients Did you know that the Elk River Northstar station has the second most amount of passenger traffic of any poweredbynature.blog.com 5/8 Alan Sakry Working for You -Experience. Honesty. Resources. roNE~Ei er A~U~~ ENERGIZED BY SERVICE www.Sakry.com Closings happen on tirne...every time team@,muihomeloans.com . we rnzd in-house , / ~ • We underwrite in-house t t. it r t '•` • G•.rce1lent Comnrruzication ti,~ith Title C'atnltanies ~~ r r r ~ r l "~ • ,91an usonallt- attends must closin ' +~ 1 ~ I t i r t 1 i p,.. ~,. ~~ "' Constant Communication with our exclusive ~In The Zone Cornmunicalion" From start to, finish Realtors, homebtn~er and mortgage cons:tltant ire constant dialog You are walked through the financingprocess with ease: Steo one: Call Alan or Justin. we will treed the./i~llowing fits each burrower. • Social Security # • Datc of Birth • Resident address(es) for the past two years • Employmentlincomc information for the past two years • Current asset information Steo Two: To r umplete the processing gf>•our mortgage, K•e oil! need • Each buyer to provide 30 days worth of recent pay stubs • Past two years WYs for each job worked /complete taxes if self employed • Two bank statements (all pages) for each checking and savings account • ~9ost recent statement for all 401 K and long term investment accounts Steo Three: Alan and his team go to work tur you. 1'ou go .hopping' hind your new hiiasl. THE PROCESS: Make Application with Mortgages Unlimited x ~~ (asset & income info collected) ~ ~ prodded to Realtor ~ ~ for your new home ~ ~ make offer on your home ~. Purchase as?reement and location is determined I I I I underwriting for appro~°al I I & providzs to Alan's team Loan File goes inty our closing artment and is sent to the vo~ix~o ~~ ~. .~ 11~9ATURE ver BRANDING CONNECTIONS Why is branding important to me? Think about job interviews today. Did you know any potential employer can fmd out a lot of information about you online? They can do a Google search, look for you on Linked In, or your Facebook page, etc. What would that potential employer Find out about you online? Are you branding yourself the way you would want people to see you? Well, think about the Elk River Community? Are we branding ourselves the way we want to be seen by others, "A casual-laid back such as potential businesses, new resident's, or tourists? A brand can't be manufactured. It comes from many things, such as our community's strength, values, culture, history, location, education, recreation, natural assets, and much more. But, here's the kicker! We can all help to make outdoorsy small town" Is this Elk River? Elk River's strengths and uniqueness rise and shine above other communities. Branding is important for the people who live and work here. There are 239 employ- ees active on the City of Elk River payroll system. 62°,/0 of them live in Elk River. Are you ui that 62%? I bet you care about what people are saying about where you live. "Casual-laid back outdoory small town" or "Where czty and country flow together." These are some of the things people say about us. It's our reputation. And it's part of who we are. But here's the truth. We need to communicate in a strong, unified voice to get our message out. And we need everyone's help! It's important for all of us to be energized in helping the Elk River community succeed in every way. Get together with your department and ~ , ~ implement one action step in the next month to help strengthen E-k River's community brand. Here are some ideas to get you started 1. Each department has unique needs and functions. But we can all incorporate branding. How can you use it in your daily business functions? 2. How can you apply branding towards customer service experiences? 3. Do you distribute pamphlets of information but don't consider them marketing materi- als? Well, guess what? Maybe they should be revisited. Utilize the branding subcommit- tee for assistance. • Tina Allard • RaeAnn Gardner • Micheffe Martindale • Cal Portner • Clay Wilfahrt Have you visited the Powered by Nature blog yet? Visit the blog at http://poweredbynature.blog.com. A hamster and a rat were sitting on Stay tuned for the January Edition of Branding Connections. the side of a swim- ming pool enjoying We'll be highlighting how our employees are Powered by Nature. the sun. Suddenly, Here is a sample of some local businesses already utilizing the Powered by Nature brand. - --- - ---- - ~~_ ?rrd .~lrrrrrr~.rl f •. ~4l • ;. . ~~~y~d~e A~f~~ ~ S~ Clowntown Elk Rifler Thursday; C~cbrber Z0, 2Q11 SPA! to 9PM +SrvNI 14nruyN Ih•„~vf,~„~n 1 t\ Ri~~.r dll~l wv )11~ 1f) ~ • f i.f..l1.)rLt YIR~ ux.)uftur Skrfi on to 14.re•uton n 1RU>~rttasrs, 1.. .•n t.%.+rn a.:. ~.q:.a. xfr-.knvnts ,..... w_ iKEMPER DRUG IS ~:..`~.. P~~IER~~ ~M ENERGIZED BY YUUR HEALTH! Wv~..llxxxnl l tcpu~t ;:nth! ki'.' 4.r. Wn t ii !. i,r: 44' .., ::~ Ws«-a t rnt trrrl 1, t tyitnr ia~1 ~-,.~ d.e ~,.. ~ M\ .. !. Wt-: ~.tlnnt. IC1 t 1cy/H)i r;.,, ~~ ,_ .. WRI , ~,~ .. ,_u,. .,~ rl't ~:nt l t-~~ldl l;l lr ff!' Nr, %!~t~i ~ ~ 1 ~ f the rat turned to the hamster and asked, "Dude, how come people consider me a nuisance, and you a pet? How come people pay money to have you, while they are trying to kill me? How come you are considered a cute little animal, while I am considered creepy and disgusting? How come you live in a warm home, and I have to stay in the sewer?" So the hamster answered: "It's branding, dude" You need to check it out! Clay has been working hard at keeping the blog updated on a regular basis. It's your most up-to-date connection as to how the community and the city are utilizing the brand.