News Release
Feedback Pouring in for HRM Branding Project
Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 (Halifax, NS) – More than 6,000 residents across the Halifax Regional Municipality have already shared their thoughts on what makes HRM a great place to live, work and unwind — all part of an exciting project to develop a fresh new brand for the region.
Since launching DefineHalifaxRegion.com in early December, the website has generated more than 3,200 visitors, the vast majority (80 per cent) from people in Nova Scotia. At the same time, the brand project’s street team has been on the road, visiting 15 communities in HRM, including places like Musquodoboit, Fall River, Alderney Landing in downtown Dartmouth and the Emera Oval.
“Public engagement is key to coming up with a successful brand, so it’s wonderful to see so many residents getting involved through social media and interacting with our street team,” said Mayor Mike Savage. “With the holiday season now behind us, we want to hear from even more of you. I encourage everyone to think about what makes our region unique and share those thoughts with us.”
The Mayor delivered a similar message to online viewers with a new video that launched today, Jan. 9. The video, which shows Mayor Savage commenting on actual tweets from HRM residents to @DefineHFX, can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1cmT4pQB0c.
The brand project’s street team is scheduled to make another 17 appearances this month, including tomorrow, Jan. 10, at the Halifax Metro Centre for the Halifax Mooseheads hockey game. To find out if the street team is going to be at an event in your community, be sure to follow the branding project’s Twitter account, @DefineHFX, and check out the events listing online at DefineHalifaxRegion.com.
HRM has hired Revolve Branding Inc., a Bedford-based consulting company, to head up the branding project. In addition to collecting feedback from the public, Revolve is also conducting phone research and focus groups with key people in the sectors most important to the Halifax region.
“A place brand isn’t something you can fabricate. It’s already there,” said Phil Otto, CEO of Revolve. “Our job is to find the soul of our region and shine a light on it. We want to give every one of our residents the opportunity to tell us what this region means to them, to help us develop a brand that is authentic, memorable, bold, differentiating and one that you can call your own.”
Public engagement will continue into February. In addition to capturing feedback through Twitter and people in the community, the project is collecting input online at DefineHalifaxRegion.com, and several other social media channels, including:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DefineHFX
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/definehfx
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/108287807006076287578/posts
Residents can also share their thoughts by emailing comment@DefineHalifaxRegion.com or calling 490-TALK (8255) or toll-free at 1-855-380-TALK (8255) to leave a message.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Stewart
HRM Communications
476-5975
