Super City logo competition completely back to front

Today's launch of the 'super city' logo competition is a missed opportunity for the region's talented advertising and graphic design sector, claims an Auckland business advocate.

"It's completely back to front. The public is being encouraged to come up with a logo for a small group of experts to then choose the winner from behind closed doors. Shouldn't it be industry professionals designing the logo for the public to then openly decide?

“A lot of talented and well qualified designers won't go near it, simply because they'll be up against every man and his dog keen to win $10,000 in prizes," says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.

"It seems that the Auckland Transition Agency wants public involvement to help get public buy-in for the super city. If they want public buy-in they should have let the public decide the winner through a voting process. There's a real risk that the hand-picked judging panel will choose a winning logo that then fails to get adequate public support. Where does that then leave the new Auckland Council?

"Overall the advertising sector has had a pretty challenging couple of years. This could have been a great opportunity to showcase the best and brightest in what is massive industry across Auckland. Imagine the standard we'd get if the agencies alone were pitched against each other for the public to then decide."

"Sadly the most talented in the industry won't bother partaking and the public is going to be left out of the decision-making. I really hope this all works out but you can't help but think this is lining up to be another Auckland logo saga," says Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

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