Do the Twin Cities need a new image?

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are about to embark on a new campaign to rebrand themselves. Do the Twin Cities need a new image? What do you think of when someone says Minnesota, Minneapolis, St. Paul or Twin Cities?

Discuss your ideas and share your comments.

Mike Reszler - Managing Editor, MPR.org

Comments: 5

Julia Schrenkler Jan 22, 2008, 9:01am EST

Well if it will maximize our synergy opportunities during the collective attention brought to us during the RNC...Seriously though, I checked out the related MPR article and this stood out most for me:

"Nearly three years ago, Gruenberg's organization hired a New York firm to survey outsiders' perceptions of the area. Half of the people who had no connection to the Twin Cities said there was no reason to visit.

On a long list of favorite cities, Minneapolis came in second to last above Cincinnati.

Yet, people who were familiar with Minneapolis-St. Paul loved it. They ranked the cities third, below only San Francisco and Seattle."

Is there any harm in having sleeper status? Is rebranding or random social growth better for the cities' evolution? Will marketing "make" the Twin Cities "happen" or will art and solid business opportunity?

And as long as I'm wondering in print and in public, whatever happened to our haven for the creative class status?

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Tim Nelson Jan 22, 2008, 11:18am EST

Solar monorail capital of the world?

Just a thought.

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Winston Smith Jan 22, 2008, 11:43am EST

What a joke. What a waste of money. I would follow the money on this one. Who got the contract on this one? Money is tight right now but we have money to spend on this crap. Think of the bridges that money could have fixed or how many state nursing homes could be financed with the money that was blown on this study.

How about actually creating a better business climate to attract more business, instead of chasing it away. Slogans are so touchy-feely and a bunch of crap.

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Diana Raabe Apr 1, 2008, 11:32am EDT

Minneapolis-St. Paul consistently ranks high in quality-of-life and "best places to live" polls and studies. However, it seems we are often overshadowed by the East and West Coasts in the national news.

In a way, it's a good thing. If people knew how great/safe/interesting/fun/etc. it was here, they might all move out this way...

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Do the Twin Cities need a new image?

Comments: 5

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