City of Timmins Launches Community Brand
September 12, 2013
The entire community was the focus as Timmins launched its new brand to a crowd of citizens at Wednesday’s event. Over a 1000 community members worked together to create the brand, which encompasses important brand builders such as key messages, logo, signage program, videos and websites.
“The brand is based on two ideas: resources and opportunities. It reminds us of the many positive stories we have to share with ourselves and the world,” stated Tom Laughren, Mayor of the City of Timmins. “We’ll be better at raising awareness of Timmins, and everything it has to offer, if everyone tells a consistent story about our great city.”
The videos that were created as part of the initiative will help to communicate some of the city’s unique stories. One video showcases outdoor recreational experiences such as glamping, golfing, skiing, snowmobiling and the provincially recognized Kayak Challenge — all of the activities are considered the best in Canada and strong selling points for the community. Another highlights key messages that are attractive to new businesses considering investing in Timmins.
“We are a world centre in mine development and experts in resource management, large scale processes, engineering, extraction, and remediation and we have the educational facilities to train industry workers,” said Fred Gibbons, President of Northern College and Chair of The Timmins Economic Development Corporation. “Not many communities can make that promise and it’s a unique feature of Timmins that we hope to communicate with this brand project.”
The logo will unify the many promotional efforts taking place throughout the city and speaks to the resources, opportunities and multi-cultural experiences that make Timmins unique. The circular shape evokes First Nations concepts of life, unity and renewal. The sun graphic represents opportunities, while the nature and headframe icons represent resources, both natural and mineral. In addition, the McIntyre headframe is instantly recognizable as a Timmins icon, and acknowledges our history of mining. The slogan “I’m In” captures the pride Timmins people share in their community and has been translated into French and Syllabics to recognize the diverse cultures that make up the city. The elements of the logo have been carried through into a signage program that will help unify the city, and its different communities, under one theme. Timmins is one of the largest municipalities in land area and the development of the gateway signs, community signs and directional signs will also make it easier for visitors to find key destinations and navigate the city.
The City of Timmins contributed $158,000 to the project. The Federal government contributed an additional $185,000 and numerous local businesses have donated in-kind contributions to ensure the success of the branding initiative. Approximately 75% of the funds will remain in the community. St. Clements Group developed the initial brand strategy in Phase 1. Clark Marketing Communications has taken on Phase 2, developing the brand identity and are implementing approximately 35 brand projects, including several videos, websites and the signage program. They have been working under the direction of the community-based Brand Steering Committee.
“We’re encouraging businesses and organizations to include the new community logo on their materials and use the imagery on the www.TimminsBrand.ca site to help spread these key messages,” said Laughren.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Guy Lamarche
Manager Tourism, Events & Communications
CITY OF TIMMINS
220 Algonquin Blv E
Timmins, ON P4N 1B3
705-360-2640 direct
705-365-6440 cell
705- 360-2674 fax
guy.lamarche@timmins.ca
Cathy Ellis, Ec.D.
Director of Community Economic Development
Timmins Economic Development Corporation
12 Elm Street North
Timmins, ON
P4N 6A1
T: (705) 360-2600 Ext 7099
F: (705) 360-2679
Cathy.Ellis@timmins.ca
NT3
