Moosehead Lake Branding Initiative identifies desired outcomes

Contributed Article

    GREENVILLE — The Moosehead Lake Brand Development Team has announced that it has identified three main outcomes for the Moosehead Lake Branding Initiative:
    Create an 8-10 month economy that is sustainable;
    Grow the population of the region by 25 percent (i.e., from 1,650 to 2,100) with a strong emphasis on younger residents (ages 20-45) and families; and
    Maintain the natural and cultural character of the area.

    These goals were derived from a well-publicized, nine-question survey that received 1,428 responses and the goals have been unanimously endorsed by the 17-member Brand Development Team.
    “We are thrilled by the strong public interest and the active involvement from the local community in this survey,” said team member Amanda Hunt. “Our goal was to garner as much public input as possible to gain insight into the community’s vision for the region’s future.”
    The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corp. and other area stakeholders are partnering in a 14-week Moosehead Lake Branding Initiative with Roger Brooks, an internationally-known community branding expert, to improve efforts to strengthen the Moosehead Lake Region economy.
    This effort was initiated by a public meeting on Oct. 3, 2014 and more than 125 people attended the discussion. “This was a wonderful beginning to this community process and for those who weren’t able to attend,” said team member Abby Freethy.
    “Our next step is to work with Roger Brooks and his group over the next 2 months to develop one or more brands that will accomplish these goals,” said Sally Johnson, who also serves on the team.
    In formulating the most effective brands, the Brand Development Team will be identifying what the Moosehead Lake Region should be known for that will set it apart from other regions in Maine and the northeast. “The most successful brands are those that come from within the community, so it is critical that this process involve broad participation from folks who feel very passionate about the Moosehead Lake Region,” Johnson added.
    The final phase of the Initiative will produce a Branding Development and Marketing Action Plan for the Moosehead Lake Region.
    A video of Brooks’ Oct. 3 presentation is posted on YouTube.
    Just type “Moosehead Region Community Assessment” in the search bar.