Bracebridge's Brand Redevelopment Update

Bracebridge’s Brand Development Committee is working diligently at developing a new economic development brand for Bracebridge. The work on a new brand was initiated as a result of the Destination Development International’s (DDI) assessment of the community “from the eyes of a first-time visitor” that took place in September 2011. Working together, the Town of Bracebridge along with the Bracebridge BIA and the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce have pulled together a Brand Development Committee made up of a diverse group of local citizens to assist with this project. The results of the Brand Development Committee will be unveiled at an Open House on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Nipissing University.


The Brand Development Committee has processed a mountain of information that was received from residents during the community input portion of the project and are currently narrowing down the list of possible brands to those that are most feasible for Bracebridge. The Brand Development Committee is comprised of Tony Armstrong (Back Country Paintball), Mae Campbell (Campbell Sports and the Bracebridge BIA President), Allison Dawes (Ecclestone Cycle), Mark Hvasti (The Cottage Winery), Larry Stroud (Board Member, Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce), Laura Hernando (Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport), Melloney McNabb (Simply Cottage), Don Skinner (Skinner Design Group and retail landlord), as well as a number of individuals representing the Town of Bracebridge (Graydon Smith, Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini, Cheryl Kelley, and John Sisson).


“Roger’s presentation last September was a real eye opener for many local business owners. His Community Findings and Suggestions Report identified in excess of sixty initiatives that would improve the experience for first time visitors to our community. A number of these ideas are simply housekeeping items and we’ve already begun to work on those.” said Mayor Graydon Smith. He went on to add, “However DDI’s primary suggestion that Bracebridge needed to develop a strong, unified and unique brand in order to carve out a niche in today’s highly competitive tourism industry was not what some people expected to hear. But in the days following Roger’s presentation, many local business owners came forward expressing interest in becoming part of this project. ”


Mae Campbell, President of the Bracebridge BIA explained that the rebranding needed to come from within the community, not from an outside consultant. “On Roger’s recommendation, we launched a Survey Monkey questionnaire that asked residents a number of key questions. Things like what they thought the community’s assets are, what the major challenges were and what they would like to see the community known for in the coming years. Our questionnaire netted an amazing 500 respondents.” stated Campbell.


February 28-March 2 has been set aside as Brand Camp week. At this time Roger Brooks and his team from Destination Development International will be in town to guide the Brand Development Committee through the final process of choosing the single brand that will differentiate Bracebridge from its immediate competitors. This exciting four day process will culminate with an Open House where the public is invited to see the results of the week long brand development process. The public Open House will take place at Nipissing University on Friday March 2 at 11:00am-11:45am.