Here's something that could only happen in Winnipeg: A right-leaning mayor who used to promote rock concerts and a left-leaning rock singer with political inclinations are on the same page.
After three days of perusing Free Press stories filled with slogan suggestions for new welcome signs slated for city limits, Mayor Sam Katz says he's most impressed with a suggestion from John K. Samson, frontman for The Weakerthans and author of a song named after the soon-to-be-retired slogan, One Great City.
"I've got to tell you the truth, I've read some really bad ones. But I actually heard a good one: 'Winnipeg, the centre of it all.' That has some good meat to it," Katz said.
By the end of the summer, the city will replace 10 welcome signs bearing the "One Great City" tagline inspired by the 1972 creation of Unicity.
Last week, Samson suggested "the centre of it all" as a replacement slogan and criticized Katz's preferred "City of Opportunity," a phrase often used in mayoral speeches.
But Katz ignored the flak and called Samson's suggestion the best he's heard so far.
"If I were to judge, that one seems to be leading the pack," said the mayor, who promoted rock concerts before he became a baseball team owner and politician.
But the actual slogan decision will be made by Destination Winnipeg, the city's arm's-length marketing agency, which plans to replace the 18-year-old welcome signs at a total cost of $50,000 or less.
Katz declined to comment when asked if the city could teach the province something about creating a slogan. The NDP government's Spirited Energy campaign cost $3.1 million.
How many slogans does a city need?
Depending on your definition, Winnipeg already has at least four slogans and may be getting one more. Here's what's floating around:
"Unum cum virtute multorum."
- Official city motto. In English, "one with the strength of many."
"One Great City."
- Soon-to-be-retired slogan on welcome signs at city limits. In place since former mayor Bill Norrie was in office, it's a reference to the 1972 amalgamation of Winnipeg with 12 of its suburbs.
"Embrace the Spirit."
- Slogan below city logo brought by former mayor Glen Murray and still present on city literature.
"City of Opportunity."
- Slogan brought in by Mayor Sam Katz. Also present on city literature and merchandise.
"The centre of it all"
- Slogan proposed by Weakerthans singer John K. Samson and endorsed by Katz as a leading candidate to replace "One Great City."
"Now entering Winnipeg. We were born here. What's your excuse?"
- Welcome sign featured in an episode of The Simpsons, in which Homer and Flanders drive up from Springfield to purchase cheap pharmaceuticals.
- Bartley Kives
A few more...
Your city slogans continue to flood our inbox. Here are a few suggestions we've received since Sunday night.
Come for the Bingo - Stay Because your Car Got Stolen.
-- Reg Martin
My Winnipeg, your home.
-- Vince Fontaine
Flat and Fabulous
-- J.A Paterson
A pretty big small town!
-- Art Seaman
The Golden City
-- Steven Christianson
Bringing people together
-- Nicole Choptain
We want your
suggestions
E-mail your slogan ideas to:
feedback@freepress.mb.ca
PREVIOUS
