The truths and rumors about the 140K approved logo of Brownsville.

So after much debate the city commission approved the new logo that will be used in all upcoming publications, website, and other promotional gigs.  Close to 80% of the people who took the online survey regarding their thought on the new logo were not too sure or did not like it entirely.  Me personally I actually liked the old logo and didn’t think there was anything wrong with it, but you know the decision has been made by others.

Contrary to popular belief and something that was just made clear to me today was the new logo didn’t actually cost $140,000 but was part of a marketing campaign approved by the entire city commission last year. The agenda last night was simply to choose the logo the marketing company Hahn Publication Relations out of Austin, TX had finalized.  The $140,000 was awarded since last year and approved by the entire commission unanimously that was present that day on September 2, 2014 which includes Tony Martinez (Mayor),  Ricardo Longoria (Com. District #1), Jessica Tetreau (Com. District #2), John Villareal (Com. District #4), Estela C. Vasquez (Com. At-Large #A), Rose Gowen  (Com. At-Large #B).

The City of Melbourne in Australia which has a population of over 4 million went through a similar process of re branding their logo about 6 years ago and cost the city about $240,000.  I don’t know a whole lot about marketing but what I do know is that when you do make a campaign out of anything, a lot of effort goes into it. Whether the City of Brownsville paid too much for their entire marketing is questionable, only time will tell whether it was justified if we can get a return of investment from companies setting up shop or visitors coming in.