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Keokuk branding coming together
By Steve Dunn/Gate City Managing Editor
For the most part, the public and social leaders liked what they saw Wednesday when concepts for a campaign to promote Keokuk were explained.
The meeting was one of five focus group sessions held over two days in which the public and representatives of specific community groups were able to express their opinions on the proposals developed by 365 Inc. of Dubuque and local leaders.
The latest concept for a logo with the words “Make It Yours” above the word “Keokuk” drew such comments from the audience as “it looks good,” “it ties in a lot more concepts,” “the physical layout is very good” and “well conceived.”
The conceptual logo also includes five coins below the word “Keokuk” that refer to tourism, government, economic development, chamber and Main Street.
“If this is done correctly, it may start to draw in people,” said Ed Kiedaisch, who added there is no tie-in to the Mississippi River.
Another person said education is too important not to be reflected in a coin.
At this point, the message of the campaign will be to invest, commit, take responsibility, choose, visit, stay and spend in Keokuk.
“Two things that are critical are taking responsibility and internal marketing,” said Chuck Betts. “‘Make It Yours' sells that.”
“We want people to be responsible for the future of Keokuk,” said Brad Parks of 365 Inc.
Keokuk's story should be told to internal residents, internal young residents, prospective internal leaders, prospective residents, prospective businesses, prospective tourists and decision makers, Parks said.
Keokuk has several tools to tell its story, including the river, new industry, history, people, independence and a vision plan, Parks added.
Eventually, a mykeokuk.com Web site could become a portal for the community and encompass the branding campaign.
The campaign also could include more specific campaigns of shorter durations such as “My Keokuk Rocks,” “My Keokuk Rolls” or “My Keokuk Plays.”
Posters could be developed to reflect specific campaigns such as “My Keokuk Remembers.” Parks showed an example of a poster showing the National Cemetery with the words “My Keokuk Remembers” in the upper left corner.
During his eight visits to Keokuk, Parks has noticed a positive change in the attitudes of many Keokukians.
“This won't happen over night, but you've done the right thing,” he commented. “You guys are ahead of the game.”
Behaviors and changes won't occur until there is a structure in place to affect them, Parks said.
Parks noted how his home city of Dubuque has made significant strides in recent years with the help of a branding campaign.
“Burlington is probably your biggest competitor,” he told the group. “Quincy (Ill.) has lost its sense of community.”
The meeting was one of five focus group sessions held over two days in which the public and representatives of specific community groups were able to express their opinions on the proposals developed by 365 Inc. of Dubuque and local leaders.
The latest concept for a logo with the words “Make It Yours” above the word “Keokuk” drew such comments from the audience as “it looks good,” “it ties in a lot more concepts,” “the physical layout is very good” and “well conceived.”
The conceptual logo also includes five coins below the word “Keokuk” that refer to tourism, government, economic development, chamber and Main Street.
“If this is done correctly, it may start to draw in people,” said Ed Kiedaisch, who added there is no tie-in to the Mississippi River.
Another person said education is too important not to be reflected in a coin.
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“Two things that are critical are taking responsibility and internal marketing,” said Chuck Betts. “‘Make It Yours' sells that.”
“We want people to be responsible for the future of Keokuk,” said Brad Parks of 365 Inc.
Keokuk's story should be told to internal residents, internal young residents, prospective internal leaders, prospective residents, prospective businesses, prospective tourists and decision makers, Parks said.
Keokuk has several tools to tell its story, including the river, new industry, history, people, independence and a vision plan, Parks added.
Eventually, a mykeokuk.com Web site could become a portal for the community and encompass the branding campaign.
The campaign also could include more specific campaigns of shorter durations such as “My Keokuk Rocks,” “My Keokuk Rolls” or “My Keokuk Plays.”
Posters could be developed to reflect specific campaigns such as “My Keokuk Remembers.” Parks showed an example of a poster showing the National Cemetery with the words “My Keokuk Remembers” in the upper left corner.
During his eight visits to Keokuk, Parks has noticed a positive change in the attitudes of many Keokukians.
“This won't happen over night, but you've done the right thing,” he commented. “You guys are ahead of the game.”
Behaviors and changes won't occur until there is a structure in place to affect them, Parks said.
Parks noted how his home city of Dubuque has made significant strides in recent years with the help of a branding campaign.
“Burlington is probably your biggest competitor,” he told the group. “Quincy (Ill.) has lost its sense of community.”
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