Terry Bunnell, the chairperson of the Glasgow Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, looks at a map of Glasgow during a listening and design session held in October 2019. Bunnell’s committee is expected to choose one logo to forward to the Glasgow Council for final approval later this month.
BY BRENNAN D. CRAIN, WCLU News
GLASGOW — Members of a city committee will meet Thursday to review logos developed as a part of a branding package for city government.
Three logos will be considered by the Strategic Planning Committee of the Glasgow City Council. The logos were developed by Franklin, Tenn.-based branding and marketing company Chandlerthinks. View the final three logos here.
After the committee makes its selection Thursday, one logo will be sent to the full council for final approval. Their next meeting is Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
The Kentucky League of Cities was hired by the city council to examine Glasgow and develop a “strategic plan.” The plan provided input and recommendations to the city government about what methods could be used to develop and advance the municipality.
KLC hosted “listening and design sessions” about three years ago as a part of its data collection, and peoples’ perspectives were included in the final report released in September 2020. The city was urged in the report to develop and maintain a formal brand and identity.
That’s when Chandlerthinks became involved.
The firm was retained on a $29,770 contract last year and began work last August. Through mystery shops at local restaurants, lodging properties and retail businesses, interviews and surveys, the firm said they were able to gauge more about the community and its buried identity.
Steve Chandler, marketing specialist and owner of the firm, explained in a February interview with WCLU News how civic branding goes beyond a logo – though it is a vital part. He said reputation and the creation of a positive image are integral in the overall brand.
“That’s done by the infrastructure that you have, the types of businesses that you recruit, the type of talent that you bring in, the preservation that you hold onto, the heritage that you preserve. All of that is telling the story of your community.”
As for justifying the nearly $30,000 spent on the project, committee members continue to reflect on KLC’s recommendations about city branding development. It remains unclear what exactly will be included in the full-scale package, but committee members expect to see a color scheme, tagline and possible modifications city government could make to be more successful.
Chandler told WCLU News he planned to present the full package to the Council in May, but he never did. He is expected to give that presentation at the Aug. 22 meeting of the Glasgow Council, according to a committee member.
Thursday’s meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the Glasgow Council conference room, which is on the second floor of Glasgow City Hall.