City of Reading targets city status bid success
In my last post I asked what a refreshed Reading identity might look like. How about an upgrade to the “City of Reading”?
For this is what a new online campaign hopes to see accomplished. “City of Reading” seeks support for Reading’s city status bid by disseminating positive news about the town. Behind the initiative is a company (no individual is named), City of Reading Ltd, incorporated May this year, with the help of web marketing outfit 2maad.
At the heart of City of Reading is a website inviting members of the public to submit upbeat stories. Although many pages lay bare, there is a wealth of information about the town and bid, a photo gallery and a forum (albeit fledgling).
Flanking the site are a Twitter channel (@cityofreading), Facebook page and even a MySpace presence.
And it’s Twitter where the thrust of the campaign is most vigorously and impressively felt, with personality-laden updates posted on a frequent basis. More than 680 tweeps and 34 Twitter lists now follow @cityofreading (to compare, the Facebook page is liked by 36), though follower growth appears to be slowing markedly.
Whether you consider the town’s third city status attempt worthwhile or not (and I’m with John, who asked previously on this blog: Can Reading do better than city status?), there is no denying the ambition and eagerness of this grassroots effort to turn heads.
Having perhaps clicked on the links above, what are your thoughts on City of Reading? What changes would you make?
Moving on to local activism more generally, is there a campaign that you are involved with that you can tell us about? Alternatively, are you looking to rally support for a cause, but unsure how to proceed?
Tags: city of reading, Facebook, local activism, MySpace, Twitter
September 4th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
why should Reading ‘aspire’ to be a city? Why shouldn’t cities aspire to be towns? Research on size of urban conubations clearly shows negative social impacts. I like Reading as a town and think any branding should be demonstrating our pride at being a town and doing a fabulous job at being an awesome town.
September 5th, 2010 at 10:06 am
I think you’re right, Wendy. I’m not wholly convinced that the city status pursuit is necessary. Perhaps towns are looking at places now regarded as “global cities” or “world cities” (as opposed to “cities” alone), such as London, and feel that they need to step up the ladder.
September 11th, 2010 at 2:38 am
while people think of cities as being a ‘step up the ladder’ then money will be spent on ‘stepping up’. Stepping up is a good thing in terms of providing services, facilities, and positive social experiences, but I question that in this internet age whther City status is the way to do it.
Mett – i love your blog, that you raise these questions and you are so positive about things generally. Thank you
September 11th, 2010 at 2:41 am
apologies for miss-typing your name – Doh!
September 13th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Hi Wendy, no worries about the name mistyping, and thank you for your kind words about the blog.