City Launches Rebranding Campaign
The City of Holly Springs is excited to announce that it has partnered with The University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG) to undergo a community rebranding over the next several months.
The rebranding process, developed and led by a team from CVIOG, hinges on public participation, which includes an online survey and public input meetings. “Engaging Holly Springs residents, business owners, visitors, and community partners is key,” said Erin Honea, Communications and External Affairs Director for the City of Holly Springs and chair of the rebranding steering committee. “It is important to our elected officials and staff that the City’s brand be authentic, representing those that have lived in, worked in, and visited our community for many years, as well as all the new families and businesses that have decided to make Holly Springs their home. At the conclusion of this process, the City’s goal is to use the new brand as a powerful tool to enhance economic development and local identity, promote business and investment, and increase community pride,” she said.
The three-phase rebranding process, which is designed to be completed in nine to twelve months, includes Analysis, Design, and Brand Launch. The Analysis Phase will include public input meetings and an online survey. Those interested in participating can visit www.brandhollysprings.com for information about participating. Additionally, the team will inventory the City’s assets, perform thorough demographic research and study the City’s surrounding competition. During Phase Two, Design, CVIOG staff will take the information gathered during Phase One and present design options to the Steering Committee, including logos, a tagline, and various graphic elements to complete the branding suite.
During Phase Three, Brand Launch, the CVIOG team and Holly Springs will reveal what is sure to be a beautiful brand that celebrates the City’s collective past, but will also grow with the City through its next stages of life. Over the months following the launch, the public will begin to see the rollout of the new brand on the City website, on City signage, in local ads, and even on some special Holly Springs merch!
“This is a really exciting time in Holly Springs’ history, and we hope that residents, business owners, community partners, as well as neighbors outside of the City will take the online survey and sign up to participate in a public input meeting so that the brand is a true reflection of the people that make Holly Springs a great place for families and businesses.” said Honea.
Steering Committee members include Councilwoman Dee Phillips, Ollie Evans – Downtown Development Authority Chair and Owner of Holly Springs Chiropractic, Andrea Johnston - DDA member and owner of The Gathering Board, Scott Owen - DDA member and City resident, Maggie Grayeski - owner of Safewise Electric, City residents Shannon Andrews and Tray Herndon, Shawna Mercer - Workforce/Communications Manager for the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, Nichole Parks - Vice President of Membership for the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, and Barbara Jacoby - Chief Communications Officer for the Cherokee County School District.
The University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government began offering Community Branding services in September 2018 to meet the rising demands of client communities statewide who were asking for branding and design assistance. Community Branding has become an increasingly important tool to help Georgia communities set themselves apart from the competition and attract target markets. Its research-based and people-centered approach to branding has helped communities all over the state, including the City of Monroe, Colquitt County, Washington County, Hawkinsville-Pulaski County, and The Copper Basin Community.