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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 11-17-2015 - 8b - Update on the Campaign for a New Welcome to Orange County Interstate Sign 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 17, 2015 Action Agenda Item No. 8-b SUBJECT: Update on the Campaign for a New "Welcome to Orange County" Interstate Sign DEPARTMENT: Community Relations/Tourism PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Six (6) Suggested Interstate Signs Laurie Paolicelli, 245-4322 2. Background of NCDOT Raleigh Sign Naming 3. Highway Slogan Ballot PURPOSE: To receive an update on the campaign for a new "Welcome to Orange County" Interstate Sign. BACKGROUND: Orange County has an opportunity to change the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) "Welcome to Orange County" Interstate sign, currently located on Interstate 40 at mile marker 269 heading west. The sign is damaged and is currently slated for replacement. The current sign welcomes interstate travelers with the message "Orange County: You'll Be a Fan for Life". Community Relations will launch a local contest asking residents to vote for which slogan should be used on the new replacement sign. Orange County, together with a media partner, will offer six (6) signs that the community can vote on, rather than an "open slogan naming". Providing six (6) slogans for the public is a format that is based on past programs of NCDOT that became contentious as a result of the anonymous curtain of the internet (see Attachment 1). NCDOT initiated a contest asking for public input to name the 1-40/440 rebuild project in Raleigh that began in 2015. NCDOT found that the general public that became interested had a sense of humor. What started out in a serious vein quickly took a distinct twist when the unexpected quirky responses started pouring in (see Attachment 2). Orange County Community Relations suggests working with media partner, Chapelboro & WCHL, to have the public vote for their favorite slogan via various forms of media including Chapelboro and WCHL Radio. To provide a wider reach, the department will also utilize social media and WHUP Radio Hillsborough. Using radio and social media as the point of collection is the most efficient and cost effective way to engage residents AND gain valuable feedback over an 8-week period. The goal is to use the talents and creativity of Orange County residents, encourage community engagement and develop a new slogan. The format will be set-up so that people can "Like" specific slogans and suggest others. After the contest ends, the BOCC 2 will review the entries according to a list of criteria drawn up beforehand - and determine the winning slogan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The total $6,000 cost of the campaign will be paid from Visitors Bureau marketing funds. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are related to this item: • GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. Opening up this contest to the public help ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation. • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. Using a branding process and engaging residents in a "pride of ownership" of their community lends supports economic development policies and programs. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive this update and provide any comments or questions to staff, and acknowledge that staff will move forward with the campaign. 3 Attachment 1 WELCOME TO ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 4 ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA WELCOME TO ORANGE COUNTY. DEEP ROOTS. STILL GROWING. -a.gvj1jatq ano s1 ssaa.�o.ld VNI'IO2IVD H.L2ION )..,..LNnOD 39N"0 013W0D13M iaj!l jo; ue; e a9 11,noA vNrIoxvD HixoN 'Jl1Nf10J 3 !DNVHO uNf10D 39N"O 013WO013M ��iT EMNS", 7 WELCOME TO ORANGE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA Opportunitygrows here. WELCOME Founded in 175 ORANGE COUNTY in the heart of NORTH CAROLIN North Carolina 9 Attachment 2 "Crawleigh" The North Carolina Department of Transportation initiated a contest asking for public input to name the 1-40/440 rebuild project in Raleigh that began during the spring of 2015, which should last for three years. Involving the public, who will be directly affected by all the construction and having to navigate through the daily grind of lane closures, construction debris, workers and general upset seems like a good marketing strategy with unexpected results. Through the anonymous curtain of the internet, the NC-DOT found that the general public they reached out to has a sense of humor. What may have started out in a serious vein quickly took a distinct twist when the unexpectedly quirky responses started pouring in. The five finalists were: Carmuda Triangle Crawleigh South-Wake Remake Southern Discomfort Wake-Over The new name became Crawleigh with almost a 50%vote. NC-DOT apparently prefers the name FORTIFY 1-40, but for many their chosen moniker of"Crawleigh" will persevere as they will have to drive through the construction area for three long years. The entries that received an honorable mention from the NC-DOT were as follows: Lane-Sanity Fortyfication 1-40; Duke-0 Tar Hell 40 Shades of Congestion Lanes of Pain Should havebuiltalightrailinstead Lordylordygetmeoffforty Numb Buns Constructipation —Waiting for traffic to get moving again Y'all Crawl Attachment 3 10 ORANGE COUNTY HIGiLWAY SLOGAN BALLOT VOTES FOR YOUR OUR (4) SLOGANS LISTED VOTE me 11" Around the Corner, Ahe f the Curve Opportunity Grows Here Progress is Our Heritage Deep Roots. Still Growing You ' ll Be a Fan For Life Founded in 1752, in the heart of Nor rolina WRITE IN :