Agenda item

Alwen Williams, Portfolio Director to update the Economic Ambition Board on the development of the new website and brand.

To endorse the proposed new brand for the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the North Wales Growth Deal subject to adapting the logo following consultation with the members at the next meeting. 

The report was submitted by Alwen Williams (Portfolio Director).

RESOLVED

To endorse the proposed new brand for the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the North Wales Growth Deal subject to adapting the logo following consultation with the members at the next meeting. 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Economic Ambition Board’s current brand and website were developed during the early days of the Board’s establishment. With the Final Deal Agreement signed, and the Portfolio Management Office moving to the delivery phase of the Growth Deal projects, it was timely to refresh and relaunch the brand and website.

DISCUSSION

The report was presented and it was noted that the Economic Ambition Board’s current brand and website had been developed during the early days of the Board’s establishment. It was noted that with the Final Deal Agreement signed, and the Portfolio Management Office moving to the delivery phase of the Growth Deal projects, it was timely to refresh and relaunch the brand and website. It was stated that the logo was dated and it did not reflect the ambitious nature of the Board in terms of transforming the economy of North Wales. It was added that the website was currently hosted by Business Wales and it was proving complex to use. 

Tinint had been commissioned to re-brand and develop the new website following a successful tendering process.  The brief given to them to highlight a fresh, innovative, ambitious and professional brand was noted together with a website that would be a platform to promote the region, the work of the Ambition Board and to share progress and information about the Growth Plan. The brand that Tinint had worked upon to develop with the Portfolio Management Office was submitted, it was explained that the brand name had been modified to ‘Uchelgais Gogledd Cymru / Ambition North Wales’ and this would be the general name for the Growth Vision and what the board is seeking to deliver for the region. 

It was highlighted that market research had been conducted regarding the logo and the new brand with a sample of 160 individuals split into three groups – Public Sector, Young People and Businesses.  It was stressed that Ambition North Wales was the brand that was favoured in the market research.  The favoured Brand, colours and logo were also presented, requesting the Board's support.    

During the discussion, the following matters were raised:-

·         Support for the brand and the name were highlighted, however attention was drawn to an issue with the logo.  It was noted that although it was an abstract logo it had 6 sections as the region's counties and that Conwy appeared to be smaller than the others. It was explained that it did not represent this, however, it was suggested that there was a need to look again at the size. 

·         Support was expressed for the brand and website, and it was noted that it highlighted that the plan was much more than a Growth Deal.  

·         The brand and the colours were accepted in principle. The Portfolio Management Office was asked to go back to Tinint and perhaps adapt the logo a little for re-submission to the Board in September.