The District of Sparwood has received a new image as part of its rebranding.
The rebranding is aimed at attracting people to the town for work, rather than promoting tourism.
Two of the main taglines that the new brand uses are: “The other side of B.C.,” and “Yours and mine, together.”
“We’re not intent on strictly developing as a tourist community,” said Terry Melcer, the District of Sparwood’s Chief Administrative Officer, “but we are intent on demonstrating that we are proud of community, that we are open for business and that we are happy to share our story and community with the rest of the world.”
A press release from the District said Sparwood’s brand has not been developed primarily to increase tourism or attract destination visitors. Rather, its brand development is to strengthen its distinctive characteristics, demonstrate a desire to continue and to develop economic diversity, and to continue to provide a solid foundation to increased community spirit.
Matt Thompson, Principal with Story and Co. – a Kimberley-based branding firm and ad agency, presented the brand on Thursday.
“A brand is a story,” said Thompson, “It’s who you are, what you’ve done, and how you do it. And it’s what people say behind your back.”
Thompson said that Sparwood has no desire to be what it isn’t.
The District said the brand speaks in a fresh manner to the unpretentiousness of Sparwood.
The new branding will appear on signage as people enter the city and at the Titan T-Rex truck, “The world’s largest truck, almost” as the new branding, says.
Story and Co, who has also done branding for Kicking Horse coffee, sat down with 100 members of the Sparwood community to find out what it’s like to live and work in Sparwood.
“We found out, you’re not a local unless you’ve been here for 40 years. If you’ve been here for 39, good for you, you only have one more to go,” said Thompson.
The new logo also features one star, which reflects the old taglines, which had five separate stars, one for the five different towns that now make up Sparwood.
For a taste of the District of Sparwood’s new brand visit their website at www.sparwood.ca.