A recently launched website is the fruit of a collaborative effort among a dozen area organizations to showcase the potential of the Toledo region and tell its story of becoming a leader in the New Manufacturing Economy.
The goal of the brand initiative, developed by the Northwest Ohio Brand Council, is to engage businesses, communities and organizations to position the Toledo region as a nationally and globally recognized leader in the “New Manufacturing Economy,” an identity creted specifically for this initiative.
“We want to showcase the Toledo region as the ‘New Manufacturing Economy’ to the entire world,” said Wendy Gramza, executive vice president of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and a member of the branding council.
The region is taking its place at the forefront of this new economy — described as a new industrial revolution that incorporates software development, open source product development and other imaginative new ways of doing business — because it has manufacturing in its DNA, according to the council.
The Northwest Ohio Brand Council was formed in 2009 as a group of 12 public and private organizations wanting to create a set of tools and messages that would promote the Toledo Region as a brand. Its mission is to raise awareness and preference for the region in support of its economic development, education, tourism and quality-of-life goals.
The council began the third phase of its branding initiative with the introduction of its newly created website, www.toledoregion.com.
The region’s story and assets were determined in the initial phase and that story was brought to life in the second phase, Gramza said.
“It’s the ultimate example of organizations coming together to get the job done. It’s all about the product and not the effort,” Gramza said.
Gramza said the council is looking for the business community’s input on content from all areas of the 12-county region established by the State of Ohio for economic development.
“Anyone who sees themselves as part of the story is welcome to become a part of it,” Gramza said. “We want all companies and organizations to use that theme in promoting their business around the world.”
The website provides a platform, content information and tools to assist in economic development efforts of the region. The goal for the site is to attract visitors, new residents, site selectors, conferences and conventions from industries related to the “New Manufacturing Economy.”
“We want the website to be the first source for people to go to for information about the Toledo region,” Gramza said.
Andi Roman was named brand manager for the council in December.
“It’s the true story about what the region is all about and now we have the platform to tell our story,” Roman said. “It’s a website for everyone to use to show people about the Toledo region.”
As brand manager, Roman will manage the communications and marketing for the Toledo Region brand with a strategic approach to furthering the mission of the council.
Roman, a Toledo native and a producer and news director for WTOL-11 with more than 20 years of experience in broadcast media, community and public relations, is based out of the Toledo Mud Hens offices in Downtown Toledo.
“Her knowledge, leadership and news background will prove to be invaluable assets, but her commitment and desire to truly make a difference in this community made her a perfect fit for the Toledo region brand,” said Joe Napoli, president and general manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, and chairman of the Northwest Ohio Brand Council.
The brand council is supported by organizations including the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Destination Toledo, Toledo Community Foundation, Greater Toledo Urban League, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, Regional Growth Partnership and Downtown Toledo Improvement District.
The City of Toledo, Lucas and Wood counties, Bowling Green State University and the University of Toledo are also represented on the brand council. The branding initiative is supported with funds from public and private organizations, and the State of Ohio. The Chamber Foundation acts at the fiscal agent for the brand council.
For more information, visit www.toledoregion.com. ✯
