Strathcona County, Alberta (May 17 , 2012) – Following extensive collaboration and community research, Twist Marketing has developed a new community brand strategy and logo that positions Strathcona County for the future and integrates well with the County’s economic development strategies.

“I am pleased to see our community take this important step,” says Mayor Linda Osinchuk. “Strathcona County’s brand has remained largely undefined, even as the community has grown and evolved into an economic force within Alberta. Business and industry have been telling us the time is right to define what makes the County unique, and to share that with those outside of the community through a new brand.”

“From the resident and non-resident research, we developed a distinctive brand for Strathcona County,” says Catherine Proulx, Managing Director, Twist Marketing. “The County’s brand is also closely aligned with its Economic Development Strategy of attracting talent and investment in the professional, scientific and technical services, independent entrepreneurs/creative industries, and value added manufacturing (petroleum industry) sectors. Overall, the new brand strategy strengthens community identity and pride by simplifying and creatively expressing community vision and direction in a way that people can understand and support.”

Proulx explained that the new Strathcona County brand celebrates three pillars of community life:

Can-do Spirit: the community is supported and uplifted by well-educated social and economic movers and shakers, independent risk-takers, and leadership and innovation.

Quality of place: as reflected in the words ‘Living. Refined.’ which speak to the energy of our people, who contribute to Strathcona County being a preferred community of choice (recreation, cultural and services infrastructure excellence), as well as the community’s status as a national energy engine.

Deeply-rooted value system: built on determination, honesty, integrity, freedom, personal responsibility, kindness, self-esteem, and compassion.

Added Mayor Osinchuk, “In the coming months, we will begin to implement the new brand – applying it to our materials and infrastructure, integrating it as part of our planning, and in partnership with community groups, such as the Chamber of Commerce, in marketing Strathcona County to the rest of the world.”

The design of Strathcona County’s new logo is simple, elegant, sophisticated and contemporary, reflecting success and achievement. The three stylized S’s represent ‘Strathcona County’ and ‘Sherwood Park’ (blue) coming together with common pursuit of ‘sustainability’ (green), addressing rural, urban and strategic elements of the brand in a single effort. Blue speaks to aspirational element of the brand (blue sky); green to the parkland landscape and urban-rural flavour. The S-curve pattern loosely alludes to the wave form of energy.

About Strathcona County
Set in the centre of Alberta’s energy and agricultural heartland, Strathcona County is a young, successful and inviting community of more than 92,000 residents. A specialized municipality, Strathcona County is made up of the urban area of Sherwood Park and a large adjacent rural area of farms, acreages and smaller hamlets. Strathcona County is home to 70 per cent of all petrochemical refining in Canada. Residents enjoy a blend of open spaces, access to convenient urban amenities, quality recreation, and innovative programs and services. With a focus on social, environmental and economic sustainability, Strathcona County is committed to balancing the unique needs of its diverse community.
www.strathcona.ca www.whatisstrathconacounty.com

About Twist Marketing
Twist Marketing, a leader in branding, engagement and communications, has been serving North American clients for more than 10 years. Organizations trust Twist Marketing to deliver business results, not just business exposure. They do this by challenging convention and providing a unique combination of strategic insight, creative ideas and innovative solutions that work. www.twistmarketing.com

For information, interviews and/or hi-rez images, contact:
Mr. Neil Bousquet APR, Media Relations, Twist Marketing, (403) 256-8834 prwizard@prwizard.ca
Ms. Catherine Proulx, Managing Director, Twist Marketing, (403) 242-4600 cproulx@twistmarketing.com