Marketing image for Champaign County presented to county, city leaders

KATHLEEN FOX
Assistant Editor, Urbana Daily Citizen

Economic development, the county's image and the need for Urbana to grow were topics of a joint meeting of the Champaign County Commission and Urbana City Council, during which John Fimiani, Westville-area resident and Springboard Marketing president, presented a logo and "brand" for use by the county, local governments, businesses and other entities within the county.

The city contributed $2,000 and the Chamber of Commerce and Community Improvement Corporation each $500 to this initial phase of a marketing project promoting the county's desirability as a tourist destination, business site and place to raise a family.

City Development Planner Melanie Kendrick mentioned the possibility of using the logo in promotions for Art Affair on the Square, which is promoted in various parts of the country, and on Web sites.

Chamber Director Kelly Evans-Wilson said buttons would be created featuring the logo.

Fimiani said the county is free to use the logo and even the several design concepts his company created. The county or governments within the county can develop these ideas into brochures, advertisements or other promotional materials or can contract with his company or another company to develop the materials.

The point, Evans-Wilson said, is "to put the community in a positive light." The "positive lights" in Springboard's concepts include rural scenes, bike trails, a river, families and businesses.

"It's like a resume," Fimiani said of branding a community. "You put your best foot forward." More here.