A £67,000 local re-brand - brought to you by a company in Hull

Rochdale Council

Rochdale Council has chosen the contractor for their £67,000 re-branding strategy and they have chosen a firm from Hull to complete the task.

Of the 13 offers the Council received for the contract, they chose Hull based thinkingplace Ltd to carry out the 'comprehensive borough marketing and branding strategy', which the Council hopes will 'improve the way the borough is perceived'.

The Council said that they did encourage local companies to tender for the contract, and a number of local businesses did apply, but none of them made the final shortlist.

A spokesperson said: "Feedback has been offered to all companies that applied to help them with other opportunities in the future, with a particular focus on support for local companies to help them tender competitively in the future. 

"Rochdale Borough Council is currently putting together a number of tenders, including a marketing framework and a coaching service and would welcome any application from local companies. 

"The council are keen to work with local businesses.

"thinkingplace were selected after demonstrating outstanding performance throughout the procurement process. This, coupled with their extensive experience and understanding of place branding and marketing, resulted in thinkingplace getting the contract."

A spokesperson, speaking about what the contract should provide, said: "The main goal is to promote Rochdale Borough as an attractive location in a successful city region, with a distinctive lifestyle and identity. The strategy should incorporate a sustainable marketing process to ensure the successful future of Rochdale borough as a thriving place in which to live, work, and do business."

Penny Sharp, Head of Regeneration at the Council, said: “thinkingplace are going to be talking to local people and organisations across the borough to get a full understanding of what makes our area unique. We want to capture the essence of what the borough should stand for, and from that develop a vision, values and marketing theme. 

"A revitalised brand and marketing plans will help change perceptions of Rochdale borough among investors, developers and the media – as well as helping to raise aspirations and confidence levels of local residents and businesses. 

"We’re determined to emerge strongly from the recession, looking forward rather than to the past, and this project will assist us greatly in achieving that.”

It is hoped that thinkingplace Ltd will be in a position to present the complete marketing and branding strategy by March 2010.