With the support from the Hermiston community, the Hermiston City Council voted this week to adopt a new brand for the city.
The Hermiston Branding Committee unveiled the new look and tagline for the Hermiston brand which features a round logo that incorporates both a watermelon and the Hermiston Butte. In the center of the logo are the words Hermiston Oregon and includes the tagline, “Where Life is Sweet.”
“Fabulous,” said Councilor Jackie Myers after seeing the new logo.
“Let’s start painting,” Councilor Lori Davis said, after seeing an example of the water tower with the new logo on it.
Shirley Parsons, a member of the branding committee, said a public survey was held for several weeks in March – both online and on paper – giving the community the chance to weigh in on several samples of logos and taglines. More than 1,100 people took part.
“This has been a great process,” said Hermiston Mayor Dave Drotzmann. “We wanted to make sure the community was heard and part of the process. I’m excited about the brand we came up with.”
Community members were given a choice between two different logos and two different taglines. One of the logos was in the shape of an emblem or badge. It, too, featured a watermelon and the butte. A total of 67 percent of survey respondents preferred the round badge. The other tagline included in the survey was, “Hermiston Oregon – Where Opportunity Shines.”
Fifty-three percent of respondents preferred the tagline, “Where Life is Sweet.”
With the Hermiston City Council giving its official approval of the new brand, the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce board will now vote on the brand. If approved by the chamber board, the brand will be rolled out over time, said Hermiston City Manager Byron Smith.
“Our plan for implementation is to have a launch of the brand in June and invite the community to come out and take home some items with the brand on it,” he said.
As for the water tower, Smith said it would be fully re-painted with the new logo and tagline somtime this summer.
