"M" may not be the next Nike swoosh, but the head of the organization that commissioned the new logo for the Montreal region says it's a clever strategy that should help draw more foreign investment to the region.
"For the first time we can speak with one voice when do international promotion for the region," Massimo Iezzoni, director of the Montreal Metropolitan Community, said yesterday after The Gazette revealed the new distinctive logo and motto that will be used to promote the region internationally starting in 2010.
The mayors of the 82 municipalities that make up the MMC voted unanimously to approve the image this month. The exercise has cost the municipalities $487,000 so far, including an initial study on whether to develop a regional "brand" and focus groups and research to design it.
Another $200,000 is budgeted to develop a plan next year to promote the image, while the budget for promotion activities will be set at a later date.
