City plans to unify branding

Published 6:00 am Sunday, May 15, 2016

Most people living in Oxford recognize the city’s logo – a large “O” with a tree floating in the middle.

However, there are several variations of the logo, depending on which city department is using it.

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Sometimes it’s green, other times it’s black. Some have the leaves on the tree colored, while others just have the tree as an outline.

In an effort to unify the city’s branding, Alderman Robyn Tannehill has been spearheading an effort to create one standard logo for all city departments.

Tannehill presented the proposed logo to the Board of Aldermen during a work session last week. It hasn’t changed from the original concept a whole lot – it’s still a tree inside of the “O” but the tree is connected to the circle, which is a “cleaner.”

“No more free-floating tree,” Tannehill said. “The tree is planted.”

Tannehill said she has been working with a small committee on the new logo for several months. They’ve created several versions that will fit various letter-head, business cards and decals for shirts and vehicles.

“It’s just to give us some consistency,” she said. “And give us a more professional look.”

Tannehill said the changes may not be noticed by most people.

“But now, it will all be the same,” she told the aldermen.

Some departments like Visit Oxford and Oxford Park Commission have branded their own logos. The new, redesigned city logo won’t affect those, Tannehill said.

Tannehill said the final version of the proposed logo is not yet complete and wanted to get feedback on the proposed logo from the aldermen before making the final “tweaks.”

“We will be developing a brand document that will be utilized by all City departments to indicate proper usage of the mark and will direct all printing and signage,” she said.

Tannehill said she expects to have the final version ready by June 1. The city won’t be spending money on changing out the older logo on everything right away.

“It will be phased in as things are needed to be replaced,” Tannehill said.