New Brand for Didcot by Lloyd Northover
February 2, 2008 | Levent OZLER
Lloyd Northover, the brand strategy and creative design agency, has been appointed to develop a brand for Didcot, South Oxfordshire to inspire and guide sustainable physical and economic growth for the town.
As one of the Government's key strategic growth points in the South-East, Didcot is poised for significant growth in the near future: it is forecast to more than double its population in the next 20 years to over 50,000 people.
Lloyd Northover has been tasked with identifying a shared vision of how people imagine Didcot in 20 years time, to define what makes the town special and what it wants to be famous for, ensuring that the physical, social and cultural development of Didcot meets the wishes of everyone with an interest in the town's future prosperity.
Jim Northover, chairman of Lloyd Northover, says, "It is very forward-thinking of South Oxfordshire District Council to anticipate the need for a rallying and unifying brand for Didcot in order to guide and inspire the future growth of Didcot, ensuring it is a positive experience for all parties involved.
We are very excited to be part of this initiative to encourage sustainable growth in the South-East, capitalising on the unique assets of Didcot."
Bill Service, Cabinet member for leisure, adds: "This is a very exciting time for Didcot. With the significant expansion of the town, its importance within the district will continue to grow and we feel it is time to create a new vision to reflect this. Crucially, for the promotion of the town to be a success, it needs to be a shared vision, which is why we want to hear from as many local residents as possible and to get their opinions on how they want their town to be perceived."
At the heart of Europe's leading centre for scientific research, development and innovation, the population increase for Didcot is being underpinned by the economic growth of the many science organisations and businesses located close by, and its excellent communications links. The area is above the national average for employment, and offers relatively affordable housing compared to other parts of the county.
A major part of the project will consist of extensive engagement with Didcot's residents, businesses, youth, and educational institutions, as well as external stakeholders, through a number of innovative, action-oriented, co-creation activities. A web survey at http://www.yourviewsondidcot.com launches today, featuring different ideas, and is inviting residents' to have their say. Feedback from the survey will help inform how Didcot is perceived in the future.
Deliverables for the project will include; a brand platform for Didcot, concept designs for "gateway" areas into the town as physical symbols of the brand, a three-year marketing plan and guidelines for implementing the brand.
402 impressions - 46,632 clicks
