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March 14, 2007 7:18 AM | Link to this

Thank you Longview News Journal for keeping this issue relevant. The CEO of Northstar is quoted in this mornings paper as saying “Pure and simple (here in Longview) is about the character of the people”. Perhaps instead of a Miss Gregg County contest next year we should consider a ‘Miss Simple’. That Dean feels now the presentation should have been made more public is a mute point. The exclusivity of the presentation was par for the course when leaders think ‘they know best’. I recommend Dean, Hall and the other leaders all hold hands and walk around in circles praying. It doesnt’ seem to be affecting the crime rate but who knows it may have some positive outcome for the branding debacle.

By Ebb Mobley

March 14, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Perhaps a fresh start is in order,with a view toward demonstrating we are neither puritans nor simpletons.

By Matthew N

March 14, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

I am just curious, where was the due diligence before “Pure and Simple” was selected in the first place? Sure, they can blame North Star, but when presented with options, the city should have at least Googled it to make sure it wasn’t used. I would like to know what other options we were given by North Start. Or did they just think we were to “Simple” and wouldn’t notice the problem?

Maybe a local marketing firm will step up to the plate and offer a greatly-discounted service.

By Bystander

March 14, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

I guess that The partnership, the Longview Economic Development Corp. and the city of Longview should ask for their $90,000 back. Pure and simple.

By Cindy

March 14, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Excellent reporting on the issue. I am pleased to see that the Longview community is not content with being branded with such a passive and almost negative tagline. I am disappointed with the overall execution of campaign selection, beginning with the company contracted to provide concepts. It’s a shame that Longview didn’t use some of its own resources from a creative perspective.

By Billy Shivers

March 14, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

I agree with Sealy that maybe we should change the Miss Gregg County contest to “Miss Simple”.Since it takes two city employees to sharpen a pencil,one of these simple people that paid $90000.00 for this stupid slogan would surley win.This simple thin is an example of what happens when “we” the public dont take part and keep a close eye on the people we elect and hire in government.

By Lara

March 14, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this

Well, there you have it. Frankly, I am tickled that this was discovered. Not only does it prove that the city’s officials don’t have Longview’s best interest in mind, it shows that they are completely ignorant of the huge world around them. Longview, pure and simple.

By Brandi

March 14, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

Why is the city paying $90,000 to someone in Tennesse to come up with our slogan? Aren’t there plenty of local advertising firms that could do a much better job than “pure and simple” and keep the money in our community? Come on Longview officials, you really failed with this one!

By Sherry

March 14, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this

Please look at the definition of “simple” in the dictionary and see if we should be portrayed in that light. I for one think this is a put-down to all of the wonderful people in Longview.

By Steve Paine

March 14, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Why don’t we reach out and create a “pure and simple” network. A Network with our brother and sister communities. Surely there are even more “pure and simple” brands that exist and will be developed in the future. If you are burned out on white beaches, go to East Texas and bass fish, or go to Crested Butte for hiking and skiing. Make the best of a difficult issue. Peace Out

By Randy

March 14, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Once again our local officials have shown their abilty to practice fiscal responsibility. $90000 for a plagerised slogan. Why do we continue to support these people in elections when they will not support LOCAL business. You can’t tell me that there are no advertising firms in this town that could have done a much better job and probably for a better price. How about a contest where the citizens of Longview come up with slogans and publish them all in the LNJ for the people to vote.

By Keith Robison

March 14, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Longview, East Texas Unique and Texas Proud.

By Randy

March 14, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Is this not our community? Why do we continue to support these people in office who do not support our local business groups? It still amazes me that we are now going to have another bond election for parks. Remember the mayoral campaigns between Mack and Dean? Where is the money that Mack raised? Why was he appointed to raise more money? Parks and Slogans are only a small part of what the council has mismanaged. VOTE THEM ALL OUT IN THE NEXT ELECTION!

By Keith Robison

March 14, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this

Longview, East Texas and Texas Proud.

By Lara

March 14, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Longview, East Texas’ Heart of the Arts; Longview, Hot Air Ballon Capital of Texas; Longview, America’s Home Town; Longview, Living the Good Life; Longview, See what the Fuss is About; Longview, the Daffodil City; Longview, Autumn at it’s Best

By Matthew N

March 14, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Laura, Other than the fact that a few dozen cities use it, I like: Longview, America�s Home Town

East Texas’ Heart of the Arts is also great as it capitalizes on some of our strengths.

Maybe something to bridge the gap between ‘Home Town’ & ‘Arty’ could be something like- Texas Savoir-Faire.

By catherine

March 14, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Looks like longivew is pure and stupid!

By tex

March 14, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

How ‘bout: Longview, if it has historical value - tear it down. or Longview, We’ll give anyone big money - if you’re not from here.

By mark reagan

March 14, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

It seems like a little more research on the marketing company that was hired, might have prevented this from happening.

By Trick

March 14, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

E(a)st Texas Purest and Simplest and gosh darn guliblest!

By Disappointed

March 14, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

I think whomever made the decision to hire that company should have thought about spending $90,000 on a marketing stategy a little longer, my gosh the people of this community could have done a better job and it wouldn’t have cost as much either. They could have had a contest and given away a small portion of $90,000 and had a much better and more sincere slogan. Please take time to analyze things, it’s worth it. I see a lot better slogans just in the reponses from this article.

By Matthew N.

March 14, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

In another article, Dean comments on the complaints about the logo that people ‘didn’t see the brand presentation’. No offense, but a proper marketing plan should sell itself w/out the need for a full positioning presentation. Tourists and businesses who want to know about Longview shouldn’t have to go to a formal branding presentation to understand what it means. If a message doesn’t sell, don’t blame the audience, blame the author(Marketing 101.)

By Charly

March 14, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

It’s tragically disappointing that three entities that should be pushing LOCAL businesses had the gall to use an out-of-state organization! This is a pure and simple statement: Neither Longview nor all of East Texas has the wits to develop a brand for a city, even our own city.You are supposed to be bringing business here or at least “shopping here first” as you so eagerly encourage the rest of us to do. But you did not. Even so, I am delighted none of us came up with this pure and simple mess.

By Jerry Yost

March 14, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Who found out about the duplication? Why didn’t someone ask if it was exclusive and why wasn’t time taken to check it out since someoone found out about it rather quickly. I hope the City Coucil, Mayor, Boad of Directors of both the LOngview Pardnership and Longview Economic Development reimburse the city (tax payers) for this fiasco. As well as the attorney fees. P.S. The pure and simple is great for orange juice but as it refers to people it is rather condescending. No one person or group of people is pure or simple.

By Cajun Jay

March 14, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Y’all are being mean again.. ya’ll be just too simple to understand the esoteric (that’s mysterious for all you simple people) nature of our brand. It is your fault for not being in the closed session that we told everyone the secret.

We now have to fire two more police officers to pay for this little bitty error and hire North Star Destination Strategies to create a new plagiarized brand.

By casey

March 14, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

why so much energy wasted on this topic? i mean, it’s not like this is a life and death decision. our tax dollars go to a marketing firm to figure out how a logo should look and read? THAT is ridiculous. it seems like our effort could be used to voice other important issues that have more of an impact on us, the citizens of Longview.

By Lara

March 14, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

I agree with Matt N. when he said “If a message doesn’t sell, don’t blame the audience, blame the author(Marketing 101.)” Despite it being a privately funded event, it had to do with OUR town…that makes it something Longview citizens should have been in on. Longview people should rally together..we could make Longview something great…the gem of East Texas…the true Heart of the Arts for the area. Lara Gatlin

By Jeremy

March 14, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

I agree with most of the comments here. A local firm should have been used and surely someone could have come up with something better than Pure and Simple. Why in the world was that one picked? It doesn’t mean anything. Also, I think it’s at least slightly unethical that McEachern repurposed a slogan created by his former employers.

By Pedro D Pacas

March 14, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Longview Pure and Simple, or maybe simple and simpler, they paid how much, what a bunch of coconut macaroons!!!!, how do i get these morons to hire me?????

By Jeanie

March 14, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

Before posting negative responses to the new Longview logo and tag line, you might want to check your spelling and grammar. You object to the misconstrued connotation of “simple” yet most of the correspondence here is fraught with errors. The irony!

By Minnie

March 14, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

I loved the suggestion above for branding Longview the “Hot Air Balloon Capital of Texas.” But why include the word “balloon?”

By Katriana

March 14, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

I agree 100% that paying an out of state firm $90,000.00 to “create” a new slogan for our city is a bit extreme. Why not keep the business local? I also find Cajun Jay’s comment exremely funny. The funniest part to me is that if you click on his name to respond to his comment, mayor@longview.com is displayed in the “send to” section of a new email. Surely the Mayor of Longview would not post a sarcastic comment regarding what appears to be a senstive issue to the community. Interesting…

By Angela H

March 14, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Why should the city officials bring a marketing firm from out of the area to determine how to best describe our town? Not to mention the fact that they paid them an UNGODLY amount of money to do it and not even provide an original concept! We should let Longview determine our slogan. Why not have a contest to have the citizens of Longview put in their thoughts on how to brand our city. I think the people would know our town well enough to be able to come up with the right concept for Longview.

By Robert

March 14, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Jeanie…perhaps you should consider what you are saying. This blog doesn’t have a spell check or grammar checker…so of course there are going to be typos. You are getting on the cases of people that are speaking from the heart that they are not happy with the slogan that represents their town. They typed this up within a few minutes..there will be errors. On the other hand, how many months did it take that company to come up with a BAD slogan? Think about it.

By Bill

March 14, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Robert, I’ve noticed on forums throughout the e-world that when one can’t argue with the substance of a post, the attack the grammar. Speaking of grammar and spelling, Jeanie should check out the power point the ad firm made.

By Wing Nut

March 14, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Should we look at Windy City, Big Apple, Alamo City, City of Angels, Big Easy etc. These may be cheaper and more effective.

By Mike

March 14, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

$90,000 for all this Longview….pure and simple You know whats really sad is the City can always find some money to spend on stupid slogans like this,,,, but can’t even pay the city employees a decent salary

By Wing Nut

March 14, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

Angela H, a contest has not proved effective in the past. I recall a contest to name the mall and the winner would receive shopping spree etc. Someone sent in The Longview Mall and the judges selected it.

By Andrew

March 14, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

I just paid a marketing firm to develop a logo and slogan for my business and it only cost $1200. Isn’t that simply amazing?

By Jeremy H efner

March 14, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

This seems to be a very interesting artictle to allow commenting on. I would have charged only about $10K for simple ideas. Also, where can I get one of those trees that money grows on? I need one. Speaking of money trees, why don’t Longview build model “money trees” and put those throughout the major roads in Longivew to give non-residents something to remember Longview by. Like Kilgore for instance - known for the “oil derricks” not everyone knows Kilgore is the City of Stars. Have a great day

By john

March 14, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

..

By john

March 14, 2007 10:24 PM | Link to this

Well, this ought to be good. Kelly Hall said on the news tonight that NorthStar gave them several slogans…that “pure and simple” just happened to be the one that the Chamber of Partnership, the Longview Economic Destruction Corporation, and the Pity of Longview chose. So, now they’ll just choose one of the other ones. Well, I guess if the three amigos thought they had a winner the first time around, we’ll now get the bridesmaid of slogans. The runner-up. Second best. Numero Two-O. Chopped Liver. Second class. Red Headed Step-Child. oh…Oh…OH….I know what they’ll choose!! The second best slogan was “Longview. East Texas, Plain and Simple.” Amigos….we have a winner!!!

By Suzie

March 14, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

What? What? We did what? They….what? We spent what? How much? Huh? Pure…..and….what? Beaches? Mountains? They said….they….what? The mayor said….what? I have to go….what?….read that again…Longview did what? With my money they…..what? You gotta be….say what?….kidding…they did what now?….me. From Tenne…what?…see?

By Clayton

March 15, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

Hmm, after reading some of the blogs I now understand the market research much better from North Star (seen on the city’s cable channel). It is obvious bloggers do not want the facts or nor do they do their own research. We obviously have an inferiority complex! Thank you City for moving the right direction!! Perhaps we as customers should collectively demand our money back from the paper for each time they misreport the facts and cause controversy.

By Clayton

March 15, 2007 7:35 AM | Link to this

Hmm, after reading some of the blogs I now understand the market research much better from North Star (seen on the city’s cable channel). It is obvious bloggers do not want the facts or nor do they do their own research. We obviously have an inferiority complex! Thank you City for moving the right direction!! Perhaps we as customers should collectively demand our money back from the paper for each time they misreport the facts and cause controversy.

By Leslie

March 15, 2007 7:44 AM | Link to this

What is up? Do bloggers not do business in the real world? It’s easy to sit and complain, but at least our city is moving in a positive direction to promote Longview. My company pays thousands of dollars for research. Some of it works immediately, sometimes it requires modification, and sometimes research implementation takes years. Wake up people and join reality. Thank you LEDCO, Longview Partnership and City of Longview for understanding what leadership is!

By Hayne

March 15, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

See Spot Run, See Spot Sit, Pure & Simple.

By JAW

March 15, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

Come on, guys … it was a spelling error. They meant ‘sure and pimple’ - guaranteed to be unique, and just about as effective. And wasn’t there a contest at one time to come up with a marketing phrase and/or logo? Whatever happened to that? Perhaps us local simpletons aren’t sfistikated nuff to put three words together. It takes a $90,000 outsider to do that!

By Lance Bailey

March 15, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Virginia Todd called from Carthage to suggest, “Not better than the best but better than the rest.”

By Belle

March 15, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

Why was the Balloon logo taken away? The Balloon Race brings in a lot of money to Longview and surrounding areas each year.

I wonder how many signs and business cards were already being printed with the new logo. This expense will be huge. The City should tell the citizens what the total cash outlay will be for a new image.

By Mr. D

March 15, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

Vision and Hometown View, Longview.

By Amy B

March 15, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

How about “Longview—Not as Stupid as You Thought”?

This smacks of a college student paying $100 for a research paper online and still failing the class.

By Matthew N

March 15, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this

While we are ‘brainstorming’, how about: Longview- Your Hometown Never Had Such a Great View (with existing Balloon logo) ?? Just a thought.

By Matthew N

March 15, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

While we are ‘brainstorming’, how about: Longview- Your Hometown Never Had Such a Great View (with existing Balloon logo) ?? Just a thought.

By K. Dwayne

March 15, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

I agree with Mr. Mobley that a fresh start is in order.

Let’s begin again with the ineffective (yet tax dollar spending) LEDCO gang, the equally impotent Longview Partnership, & our entire City Council.

Just because you can spend our tax dollars, doesn’t mean that you should! Give the citizens of our town some credit and allow us to be part of the process (you can still grab the glory for it) by drawing upon what Longview is to them. We don’t need studies, just common sense!

By Craniac

March 15, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Wait a minute. This “branding” is a promotional scam folks. Forget North Star. Let’s get our money back!

By Lara

March 15, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

As much as I’d like to think a slogan would help the town bring in new blood and fresh faces, it won’t. We have other issues that are more important, such as crime and slums. If we took care of the important issues first, then we may have something to work with. Longview could be a great town if we, as citizens, worked together to make things happen. Lara Gatlin

By charlie

March 15, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this

I agree with Mr. Mobley. We are neither plain or simple. I think we should help our policemen fight crime in our great city of Longview. $90,000.00 would go a long ways. Next time the Mayor and the good ole boys go on a shopping fiasco, let the voters and tax payers know about it….I mean, after all, we are footing the bills for ya’ll.

By Janice

March 15, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

Nobody is suggesting that Longview citizens are plain (or pure for that matter) or simple in intelligence. The fact that we WERE notified through the media months ago and we said NOTHING at the time speaks for itself. We are complacent until some negative occurrence arises, then we cry foul.

By Janice

March 15, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Oops, my bad. I just made that last bit up! Don’t pay any attention to silly me! :o(

By bzzdn

March 15, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Mayor Dean and miss Hall; need to get out of bed with North Star and get a refund and do what the people of Longview want.

By shea

March 15, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

How about giving the task to our High School students.

By Pure_Longview

March 15, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

Get ‘em while they’re hot!

“My city paid $90,000 and all I got was this stupid t-shirt!”

By Diana

March 15, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

LONGVIEW…Almost Tyler!

By Donald

March 16, 2007 5:15 AM | Link to this

Mayor Dean, $90,000, Another Great Move At Least YOU DID NOT SPEND IT ON ANOTHER BALL PARK.

By Charly

March 16, 2007 8:14 AM | Link to this

Are you really going ahead with the marketing strategy? Yes. The three entities will still use the little swirls and the word Longview as a brand until new words are approved. Why not wait until the words are approved? When the train wrecks, get off! This is a train wreck, in case you haven’t noticed.

By Tucker Conley

March 16, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

A slogan is not magic. It takes a lot to make tourism, and relocation, work. I have worked with East Texas communities for over 35 years. Here are some things I have learned.

Tucker�s Top Ten Tourism Trends

Tourists Like Cleanliness This is not easy. Visitors do not like roadside litter and weeds or gutters and intersections full of gravel, cigarette butts and pieces of tires. They do not think piles of junk are quaint. They are paying for perfectly clean public facilities. They will not tolerate an eating place with flies, sticky menus, dirty utensils or food on the floor. They expect empty trash receptacles. Beyond �no trash� is the real attraction: �Sparkling�. They will pay for sparkling windows, floors, toilets and sinks. You will pay for non-sparkling. They are delighted to see flower boxes, hanging baskets, attractive landscaping and good directional signage. They love a well-kept community.
Tourists Like Friendliness Genuine hospitality is always expected and must be delivered. Visitors are paying for your attention, service and accommodation. Tourists deserve courteous, intelligent, well-groomed frontline staff that know local attractions & history, how to give directions and solve problems. Accommodate. Get a sense of humor. Entertain.
Tourists Drive to East Texas Our main attraction is location. Our western border has huge populations in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston looking for nearby diversions. We are not Europe, we are not Hawaii or Disneyworld. We are not a cruise ship. We have no National Parks or Monuments. We have no mountains or whitewater. We do have history, nature and accents. We have small towns, courthouse squares, historic homes, antiques, festivals, trades days, autumn foliage, wildflowers. We have country roads, solitude, clean air and real darkness. We have prairies, beaches, forests, lakes and rural settings. East Texas gets dark�and quiet. We have quality of life. Metro markets can drive here in a few hours. East Texas Tourists fit a geographical profile…City-Slickers.
Tourists Eat Tourists like good food, unique atmospheres, unusual menus and low prices. Old hardware stores sell fudge & ice cream. Restaurants sell souvenirs. Festival vendors sell turkey legs, funnel cakes, foot longs and ice cream to enlarge your tourism market.
Tourists Shop Tourists buy groceries, aspirin, hats, sunglasses, fuel, batteries, whistles, shirts, skirts, jams, yams, pony rides, train, boat and buggy rides, tours, entertainment, lodging, dining, antiques and real estate. The tourists go home, and their money stays.
Tourists Sleep After they visit the attraction, they will sleep. If your lodging isn�t top notch, it will ruin your tourism business, period. It must absolutely, positively be Clean & Friendly. If there is any doubt, forget it.
Tourists Gossip (aka word-of-mouth) Satisfied customers are the best and worst marketing tools. After their visit, they will tell their friends�the good, the bad & the ugly.
Tourists Read They read brochures and guides. They cruise the Internet. They are looking for information� addresses, telephone and fax numbers, websites, hours, rates, special features, photos, lodging & dining info, history, maps, credit cards accepted, etc.
Tourists Deal Price & value are great attractions.
Tourism Professionals (aka The Hosts) They keep their property clean. They train their frontline staff. They know what attracts tourists. They know their market. They understand Tourists Dollars. They know their best and worst advertising is word-of�mouth. The Tourism Professional asks for the business. They network with their neighbors. They offer package deals. They are are well-connected with the city, county and state plus regional associations. They have media contacts. They know what advertising is worth and understand cost per thousand. They know the market is mostly the metro areas west of East Texas, and the inbound out-of-staters coming through Orange, Waskom, Texarkana and other information points. They concentrate their marketing in a 3�foot to 300-mile radius. They make money by serving others, and the more service, the more money.

NOW�WHAT YOU NEED IS A BIG IDEA. a big idea is not a slogan. It is something TO DO. ACTIVITY. AN ACTIVITY THAT VISITORS CANNOT GET ELSEWHERE.

By Randy

March 16, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this

Tucker, you are right on the money! We do need an idea, the idea came a few years back to build the baseball parks and we had the bond election to fund the project. Andy Mack was to raise money to help offset some of the cost and declared the money was there. Politics took over as usual and a Mayoral election ensued with one of the talking points being the parks and monies raised. Now the parks are not finished (we are out of money) the money Mack raised has yet to surface… continued…

By Randy

March 16, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

… not sure about the scoreboard he said he would personally pay for. Now a new bond election is on the table for more parks and park renovations. The people of Longview deserve better than what they are getting now and in the past from our elected officials. We need a change, we the citizens of Longview and Gregg County must stand up and vote out EVERY incubent in office and that will also give us a fresh start. Once again we are the laughing stock of East Texas because of our inept council!

By Lynda

March 16, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

What simpleton thought hiring an outside firm, paying $90,000, and insulting the whole town with an already trademarked motto was a smart idea? No wonder Longview needs a new image. Perhaps a task force should be charged to develop a mission statement of what citizens want Longview to be like in 10 years and develop that into a logo and motto that is forward thinking. Of course, that would require leadership with vision, wouldn’t it?

By Pam

March 17, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

I personally like the tag �pure and simple� as it relates to the community of Longview, however, it has been the subject of much criticism. I do respect the opinion of others and if there is that much controversy, maybe we do need to change it. What will be interesting to see is if the next tag also be criticized. As with any group of people, there will always be a minority that will just not like anything. The basic concept here is a good one. Let�s not let them spoil this for all of us.

By Jason

March 17, 2007 7:42 AM | Link to this

Shame on the Longview News Journal for making �news� over nothing. I think the branding concept was a good one and the marketing research that went into the study is valuable. The only question here is whether a �tagline� is ok to use. If there is a problem with the �tagline�, my suggestion is that we let the marketing group complete their task, agree on a new tag if that is deceided, move on, and reap the benefits of their research. Let�s quit making news over nothing. As seen by these blogs, there are far more important things to focus our attention on.

By Joe

March 17, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

Great concept!! Re-package a city that has no real tourist attractions (Remember folks the Rose Gardens and Flower Trails are in Tyler). A downtown that has no night life (Gee honey lets go to Ricks on the Square, oh wait thats in Tyler too.)Hey there’s great concert in town,its at Cowan Center—oh thats in Tyler too.) Get the picture. Re-branding is all and good, but you can’t re-brand when you have a city that has high hopes, but has no idea on what direction it should take.

By Janice

March 17, 2007 1:34 PM | Link to this

Wow. Some positive comments. What a refreshing change! Apparently the marketing firm did get something right - Longview has an inferiority complex with regard to Tyler.

By Rebecca

March 17, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

$90,000?!? WHY aren�t the leaders of this city conscious about spending and saving? The logo sucks and so does the slogan � used or not. It�s boring and lame. Ever notice that the general public is often much more original and creative than these firms that charge an outrageous fee to come up with a silly idea? Here�s an idea: Do a city-wide contest offering $5,000 to the winner of the best slogan and logo. If no one comes up with a good enough one, then spend something more reasonable with a local firm. Is the $90,000 including all those silly mugs, notecards, and bumper stickers, or is that fee extra; and is that stuff items that will just be given away? Good grief. This is enough to make me want to move away from Longview. Seriously.

By Rebecca

March 17, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

$90,000?!? WHY aren�t the leaders of this city conscious about spending and saving? The logo sucks and so does the slogan � used or not. It�s boring and lame. Ever notice that the general public is often much more original and creative than these firms that charge an outrageous fee to come up with a silly idea? Here�s an idea: Do a city-wide contest offering $5,000 to the winner of the best slogan and logo. If no one comes up with a good enough one, then spend something more reasonable with a local firm. Is the $90,000 including all those silly mugs, notecards, and bumper stickers, or is that fee extra; and is that stuff items that will just be given away? Good grief. This is enough to make me want to move away from Longview. Seriously.

By John

March 17, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

Enough of this!!!! Any corporation would hire a professional group to come up with a �slogan� or �tag� to market their product. This business about letting the community make the decision as to what defines the city of Longview is just plain and simply stupid. A corporation would recognize that they have a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to market their product in a professional manner, and thus hire a professional group to assist with that campaign. While there has been much criticism over the tag �pure and simple� as it relates to Longview, obviously a couple of other communities and one corporation have adapted it quite well. If anything, the success of the �tag� should be studied. Did it work?, Was it successful?. In my opinion, the fact that it has been adopted elsewhere adds credibility to the �tag� itself.
If someone came to me with a fever and ask me what was wrong, I would reply �I suggest you see a doctor as I am not a doctor and not qualified to render a medical decision�. With that in mind, why are there so many marketing experts popping up now? Where were they a few months ago when this campaign was in the planning stages? Let�s look at the big picture here!!!

By newt

March 18, 2007 12:25 AM | Link to this

people simply can’t understand what the real problem is at city hall. the problem is not all of the city councils fault. they are simply following the suggestions and recommendations or the city department heads. therein lies the problems we find ourselves in. get rid of the department heads and you would eliminate probably 70% of the problems within the operation of the city. a real slavery silence is used as tight reigns to keep employess from speaking up with ideals and waste concerns

By newt

March 18, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

why doesn’t the LNJ and other media outlets do investigations and reports about the internal loop between the city leaders , business leaders and the power bases of civic politicians. it was this loop that kept the logo introduction private and at the country club that most belong to. we know that it exist. otherwise, why wouldn’t the traffic lights be timed to facilitate flow? simple, you wouldn’t use as much gas that the business’ sell. you wouldn’t set at a light and notice the tall 80 ft sign walmart is putting up , while Jim’s trim has to take down a banner. or you wouldn’t have to take in your car to get the airconditioner fixed, because the stop lights only let one side of traffic go at a time. thus you have to set in traffic twice as long in 98 degree heat. you get the drift of my reasoning. when are you going to be a real newspaper LJN and not a promotional wing of city hall?

By Ina

March 18, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

All of this news over a tagline created by a marketing group. Who cares if another community is using it! That in itself does not make the tagline a bad one. The question here is whether we should use it or if we can use it. Either way, having a tagline of some kind will benefit our community. Don�t be so quick to jump on the Longview News Journal�s bandwagon here. They are obviously using �sensationalism� to stir up a story. Maybe the Longview News Journal should change its name to �The Longview Enquirer� Why don�t we look at the source of all this information and put them up for judgment as they tend to do others.

By gload

March 18, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Right…it’s their fault, it’s your fault, it’s that company’s fault, it’s that group’s fault. You know who’s fault it is…it’s everyone’s fault. We built a city that we can’t brand. A city with no image. You can force an image into it like a crowbar into a locked door. But, I guarantee, it’ll work just as well as the door will after you’re done. Everyone railed on Andy Mack about his desire to create a youth sports destination out of Longview. All the funding fiasco aside, at least he was trying to give Longview an identity…any identity. And if there was any vision at all from others, he may have succeeded. But, no one wanted to help finance that idea. You actually have to have ideas, go into debt for a while while you finance them, and create things that will become your image. But, if you try to create the image first, that’s just plain and simply putting the cart in front of the horse.

By thompson

April 12, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

Ok for all of you that seem to not like it here MOVE!I have lived in Longview my whole life, because I want to..Reading the blogs here really shows that we as everyday people can’t agree on much either,And so there was a mistake made by paying the company that was suppose to come up with a slogan,And since no one makes meistakes lets get to the real deal…come up with some thing for Longview, yes we have crime here but any place there are people there is crime,And if any of you want to help with that start a crime watch you know it’s OUR town also, don’t sit back and just move your mouth do something to change what you don’t like! Or sit on you —- and wait and let everyone else do it and then complain about how bad it is!

By thompson

April 12, 2007 1:03 AM | Link to this

what about ….

LONGVIEW, TEXAS PROUD LONGVIEW, WHISPEREING PINES AND GOOD PEOPLE

By Kaye

April 12, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

“Longview” Behind the PINE CURTAIN.

By Kaye

April 12, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this

Longview, Behind the PINE CURTAIN.

By NO AMNESTY!

April 12, 2007 2:09 PM | Link to this