The Rochelle Brand Development Team (BDT) under the guidance of Roger Brooks International (RBI) has reviewed and analyzed the data gathered from more than 1,700 on-line “Branding” surveys. RBI reports that the number of people responding to the survey was the largest number of respondents, per capita, that RBI has ever experienced. The goal of the survey was to identify what are the factors that would cause people to spend more time and money in Rochelle, as well as what would motivate them to move to Rochelle, start a business or relocate a business here.
Over the past several weeks the Brand Development Team has studied pages of data, poured over hundreds of comments from the surveys and participated in a series of meetings and conference calls to identify goals that will form the new “Brand” for the City of Rochelle. Through intense scrutiny of the surveys the following goals have been identified:
• Increase the community’s population by targeting the interests of 25-40 year olds, including young families and singles.
• Downtown Revitalization: The focus would be to create a family friendly experience through an open multi-purpose, year-round public plaza or gathering place that would be available for everyone to use.
• Improve community-wide amenities; create youth and family experiences, and provide open spaces that will appeal to all ages with a variety of dining, shopping, entertainment, health and wellness options which would drive more consumer-related businesses to locate in Rochelle.
• Improve the image and perception of Rochelle while enticing locals and travelers to spend money and enjoy unique experiences in Rochelle.
The Brand Development Team along with Roger Brookes International Team members will hold “Brand Boot Camp” sessions during the week of May 18th where the group will refine the goals and create “visuals” that will communicate the new brand. The week will conclude with a public presentation and press conference at the Rochelle Township High School Auditorium on Friday, May 22nd at 9:00 a.m. The public is invited to see and hear the Brand Development Team and Roger Brooks unveil the “BRAND”! Raegan Carmichael, a member of the BDT, said “This is an exciting time for our community and we want everyone to be a part of what we believe will be a “Renaissance” of the City of Rochelle”.
For more information on the Roger Brooks community branding process, visit www.rochellechamber.org/programs.