Marathon City Brand Initiative

Marathon City to Unveil Results of Brand Initiative Over the past several months, board members of Marathon City 2020 Ltd. have conducted a comprehensive brand development process for Marathon City that was approved by the Village Board. The new brand will be officially unveiled during Marathon City’s Community Wide Open House on Saturday May 14, 2016, starting at 10 a.m. Marathon City 2020 will introduce the new logo and slogan that sets the tone for the community’s brand, along with a variety of examples of how the brand will be applied for various purposes and audiences. The materials will be on display at the Marathon City Village Hall located at 311 Walnut Street until 2 p.m. The branding initiative included focus groups with Marathon City residents, business owners and community leaders engaging in discussions about what factors set the village apart from competing communities. Research showed that a key differentiator is the village’s geographic location on a hill. Visible from miles around, Marathon City sits apart on the surrounding landscape, lending it a “sense of place” that many communities in the region lack. “Our goal in the branding process was to define our community’s relevance and unique value, and create a common vision that shows how Marathon City is moving forward,” says Marathon City 2020 project member, Rebecca Sonnentag. “Several communities that surround us seem to overlap without a clear physical identity. We wanted our brand to draw attention to our community’s identity as a vibrant, thriving city on a scenic hill, just minutes from a large urban center. Our first decision was to name the hill …it will be called Marathon Hill. That’s just the start!” Marathon City 2020 engaged Kinziegreen Marketing Group of Wausau to assist in research and creation of a new brand position, slogan, logo and related applications. The goals for the new brand include attracting new residents and businesses, engaging nonresident workers to shop and spend time in the community, encouraging developers and landlords to address housing needs, and to create a vision for a revitalized downtown. “We’re excited to have reached this important point,” says Andy Kurtz, Village Administrator. “Now we are developing strategies to take the new Marathon City brand to market and putting it to work for our community to help drive more economic development.” Marathon City 2020 Ltd. is a public benefit corporation that is community-based with an exempt purpose focused on supporting effective and creative strategies that promote Marathon City’s assets, recruiting and retaining business and residential development, ensuring the community’s long-term sustainability, and preserving and promoting the Village’s long, vibrant history. The Marathon City 2020 organization is comprised of business owners, community leaders and residents whose primary activities involve marketing, education, strategic planning, supporting community engagement efforts, and identifying and requesting funding sources. With the approval of the Village of Marathon City Board, Marathon City 2020 Ltd. headed the initiative to develop a consistent brand for the Village, executed through a comprehensive place branding strategy and identity development project. For more information, contact: Andrew R. Kurtz Administrator Village of Marathon City P: 715-443-2221 akurtz@marathoncity.org