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Covington: The Brand

Covington: Unmatched quality of life

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Executive Summary

Covington started as a railroad shortcut, an in between. It was a place to pass through, but not stay for any period of time. We are out to change that.

With a solid comprehensive plan in place, the support of the city council, economic development commission and city staff, and a well organized rebranding effort, Covington will become a stop, and not just a pass through.

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Executive Summary

When we talk about rebranding, we talk about the identity of a city. Identity is the way the city is viewed, and views itself.

Besides being a railroad shortcut, Covington's identity has been tied to its surrounding environment: trees, mountains, trains. This was reflected in the current city logo.

In 1997 Covington incorporated and became its own city, but the core identity remained the same - as a place you came to pass through, getting from one spot to another. That identity was further cemented by the amount of large retail that has developed. Covington was a place to come, get what you need, and then leave.

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Executive Summary

As you can see, the two main identities are at opposite ends of the spectrum. On one side you have nature and those who knew the city as a tranquil, wooded, non-city environment and would like it to stay that way.

On the other side, you have the economic growth and those who know the city as a place to come, get what they need, to shop, or to pass through, but it is a necessity to them.

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Executive Summary

Today Covington stands at a crossroad. You have the nature side of Covington and the growing side of Covington, while the surrounding areas still see Covington as a shopping city with an abundance of traffic.

The rebranding project will join those two forces of Covington together and, once united in its growing efforts, Covington will begin to change the way it is viewed by the outside world. No longer will Covington be seen as a pass through or a shortcut; it will become a destination to live in, work in and spend time in; a stop of its own.

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Tagline and Vision Statement Recommendations

Current Tagline: None

Recommended Tagline: "Growing Towards Greatness"

Current Vision Statement: "Unmatched quality of life"

Recommended Vision Statement: "Our vision is an unmatched quality of life."

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Key Branding Themes

Covington will become a destination.

Covington will become unified.

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"Growing Towards Greatness"

Key ideas inside this tagline:

  • We are still moving & progressing
  • The idea of maturing
  • Admits, in a roundabout way, that we are not there yet but we have a plan
  • Projects vision and hope for the future
  • "Greatness" can be defined differently to each audience group, in the way that is most relatable to them
  • Easy to remember and rally behind
  • Very relatable for families and the 36% of Covington that is made up of age 17 and younger citizens

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"The Stop" at Covington

Key ideas inside this name for the new town center (working title):

  • A moment to pause and reflect
  • Not a bypass or a shortcut, but a destination
  • Train terminology - implied but not the focus
  • Family time
  • Turn off the engine
  • Worth stopping for and hanging out at
  • Even as we grow, we need time to stop and relax and enjoy our efforts

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The Audience

There are three main groups that the city rebrand project will focus on, and our communication plan for each group will take into account their specific key issues:

Those who...

  1. Live in Covington
  2. Do business in Covington or may in the future
  3. Visit Covington

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Living in Covington

Key Issues:

  1. Safety & Security
  2. Traffic
  3. Education
  4. Healthcare
  5. Retail Choices
  6. Easy & Transparent Communication
  7. Outdoor Spaces
  8. Entertainment Options

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Doing Business in Covington

Key Issues:

  1. City Government Policies
  2. Customer Traffic
  3. Accessibility & Traffic Congestion
  4. Walkability
  5. Future Options for Growth

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Visiting Covington

Key Issues:

  1. Ease of getting in and out (traffic & parking)
  2. Retail & food choices
  3. Downtown hangout space
  4. Safety
  5. Walkability
  6. Unique attractions
  7. Healthcare options

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Customized Communication

Knowing the audience groups and their key issues is important because it allows us to customize the communication.

Growing Towards Greatness will mean something different to everyone. Our goal is to define "greatness" in ways that are most relevant to the target audience.

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Covington is Growing Towards Greatness in...

Healthcare

Outdoor Spaces

Education

Downtown Planning

Retail Choices

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Communication Methods

  1. Public Relations Tour
    1. Schools, HOA's, Community Groups
  2. Enabling Brand Ambassadors
    • City employees, Chamber members, Council members and Commission members
  3. Advertising Campaign
    • Growing Towards Greatness in...
  4. Document the Process
    • Capture branding process for transparent viewing
  5. Coming Soon Signage

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Covington: Unmatched quality of life

Research

Strategy

Design

Communicate

Conduct Brand Audit:

- Focus Group

- Secondary Research

Define the Brand:

- Identify Attributes

- Develop Key Messages

Create Brand Identity:

- Tagline, Logo, Colors

- Applications/Uses

Develop Action Plan:

- Methods/Timelines

Implement the Plan:

- Internal/External Rollout

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