Oct 28, 2009
The Journey Begins
We are now calling for submissions to this blog, prior to our formal launch next week. Over the following six weeks we will be exploring a broad spectrum of ideas, relating to the current and future brand identity of the Tasmanian Government. If you have an opinion we’d love to hear it in whatever form it might take. Drop us a line anytime: jonathan@southsouthwest.com.au
How about creating a thriving industrial hemp industry for Tasmania?
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/gohemptas/
I see your timeline coincides with and culminates at the same time as the Tasmanian state election campaign. Presumably this is deliberate. But isn’t it possible that this is actually the worst conceivable time for your campaign? I reckon there’s a good chance it will be lost in the noise, and our political leaders’ response to it will be coloured – or entirely absent – accordingly. Wouldn’t you be better off making your pitch between elections?
While rebranding Tasmania is somewhat oeverdue I too am curious about the timing of this proposal. Shakespeare once said “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet”. To wit, a brand name is only as good as the reputation of the product behind it. Changing a brand name does not immediately change the quality of the product and, while the product in this case is more about perceptions, shouldn’t efforts also be made in improving the quality and perception of Tasmania both as a destination and supplier?
Fair point, but I guess in all honesty our ability to contribute to the discussion starts and ends with the branding. An example would be the Obama campaign (http://www.barackobama.com). It’s been well documented as one of the most powerfully branded/designed/executed presidential campaigns in history and whilst I’m not claiming design can take all the credit, it was “a” catalyst to some pretty amazing shifts in world thinking.
I’m no political strategist, but I figure the lead up to the election is probably the only time in the cycle where you can pitch something legitimately to all sides of politics seriously. We want to keep the dialogue inclusive, so it’s not just about designing to fit a political agenda and if we were pitching to Government mid-term, the brief would surely be driven more heavily by the policy direction of the government of the day. I agree there is a risk of being drowned out, but surprisingly I have already been contacted by a senior department official who handles government branding and they are following our progress closely.