Work continues on Oskaloosa Brand Development
Roger Brooks covered Oskaloosa during his recent visit. He talked about what we have that is good, and where things can be improved. This was the first step in a brand development project for the community.
MAHASKA COUNTY – What is Oskaloosa’s brand? That is the question Oskaloosa Main Street members and interested area citizens continue to work on with Roger Brooks International, one of the world’s most sought after experts in place branding, marketing, tourism and economic development.
A Brand Development Committee is working through the process of defining a specific brand for Oskaloosa. According to Oskaloosa Main Street President Josh Buckingham, the committee is made up of a wide cross section of community members who have a vested interest in marketing Oskaloosa to bolster economic development and tourism. “We have members of city and county government, business leaders, retailers, young professionals and interested citizens on the committee,” Buckingham said.
“We offered an online community survey earlier this year and more than 1,500 individuals took part,” Buckingham stressed. “This is a record number of participants and the Roger Brooks team was very impressed with the level of community support and wide array of ideas suggested.”
Using input from the community survey and with coaching from the Roger Brooks team, the Brand Development Committee members are in the process of narrowing down their focus. “The survey responses defined over 20 brand ideas and the Brand Committee reduced those ideas to five common themes that will lead to a brand,” Buckingham explained.
