I don't get why people even think this thing needed to be "branded".  There are countless examples of un-branded things that are or were wildly successful.  We had a guy named Tom RAPER who sold 100,000+ RV's.  As Jerry Seigfeld noted re: Grape Nuts cereal -- "no grapes, no nuts". 

 

For all the "branding talent" this city supposedly has, where is the great new city logo and slogan taking America by storm?  Who remembers the "let the spirit move you" branding campaign from the 90s?

 

 

Because idiot put Laure Quinliven in charge of branding and we ended up with "the City that Sings"

 

 

All of the hubbub over "branding" in this town is for branding of generic products.  The only difference between Crest toothpaste and its competitors is the packaging and push behind it.  It, along with everything P&G makes, is virtually identical at the molecular level with its competitors.  It's all just a stupid cola war. 

 

The streetcar isn't competing with another streetcar on a parallel set of tracks (which actually happened back in the for-profit era).  People scrunch their noses at things that are over-marketed. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you hate everything in life? Serious question...

 

Who gives a crap about the branding, it's good that companies want to put their name on the streetcar.

Jake, don't take any guff from these swine.

 

Asking if he hates everything in life isn't fair and you've clearly never met him. It's quite the opposite. He cares too much about things in this city and wants them to be the best they can be. He may be jaded about some things, but "hating everything in life" certainly is not what's going on.

 

 

 

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A few thoughts.

 

1. I can't get over how good of a deal this is for Cincinnati Bell. At $340,000 per year, they are paying $910 per day. I am thinking that 5,000 people per day will ride our streetcar (official estimate from years ago was 3.7k per day.) If I am right about the 5k that means Cincinnati Bell is paying 18 cents to have an extended, minutes-long audio/visual interaction per rider in an era when most people are fast forwarding through the commercials on their DVR. To say nothing of the 60k downtown workers this thing will be passing by every 12 minutes.

 

2. We are also getting free wifi from the deal, which I might be personally underestimating the value of because I'll just be using my phone, but may be really important for some people.

 

3.  The 38% fee paid to Advertising Vehicles is simply exorbitant. That leaves the streetcar people with about $211,000 per year, I wonder how many employees that actually is figuring in pension and benefits.

 

4. Regarding "steelers colors." This was concieved as a whisper campaign by the project opponents, a small group of internet trolls. It is beyond stupid and it is the opinion of an immature child. I've been watching these streetcars go by for almost a year now, and the current color scheme and yes, branding of the system is pitch perfect. The way they stand out as a unique feature in our city and yet compliment our famous landmarks and urban fabric is incredible. Anyone who honestly doesn't like the streetcar because of "Steelers colors" has probably either never actually seen the streetcar or is true simpleton and ignoramus. Or both. The possibility that the "Steelers colors" meme may have played a role in the real life decision to change the colors or may have been seriously considered by people with decision making authority makes me physically sick to my stomach.  Thank you.

 

 

^Watch, Cranley will suddenly break the advertising contract with Cincinnati Bell.  There is no settled matter in Cranland.

 

 

What I don't understand is that by not picking local, established colors (sorry, nobody remembers the old streetcar colors, and the new one doesn't quite match the old orange), they risked picking another city's colors.  In our case, the picked the arch-rival football team's colors, or at least close enough that a successful whisper campaign could be launched.  They could have done multi-color cars like Portland or Seattle, but I heard more than one person say that that was "small-time" and no larger agency would ever do that.  Well, this streetcar is pretty damn small-time and there is some chance that this thing will never be expanded. 

 

I have told people before why the multi-color cars are important -- because in BRANDING materials, it doesn't look like the same streetcar in every single photo or video clip.  Also, in the event of a campaign to raise taxes to build a citywide or countywide network, sports fans are the exact sort of people we need to vote for this thing.  Go with the grain -- don't alienate the exact sort of person who doesn't pay much attention to this issue and who you need to show up to vote rather than sit on their couch or vote in opposition. 

 

 

 

Who gives a crap about the branding, it's good that companies want to put their name on the streetcar.

 

 

Companies aren't inherently good entities.  The forays of "successful" companies into civic affairs and the arts shouldn't be held up as validation and a mark of "success" for civic projects or arts institutions, specific arts events, etc. 

 

Stadiums, convention centers, etc. are places where we can honor important people, important events in a city's history, etc.  We sold the naming rights to the former Albert B. Sabin Convention Center to an often-slimy energy company headquartered in North Carolina.  So we traded having the name of the local creator of the polio vaccine who famously denied royalties for the selfish, for-profit, but anonymous blob that is Duke Energy.  Duke colluded with a bunch of the other -- get ready for it -- corporations (many of whom put their stamp of approval on the arts, etc.) in town to give them lower rates several years ago, then interfered with the streetcar project in 2012. 

UrbanOhio.com Forum » Ohio Discussion » Ohio Politics » Topic: COAST: Is COAST waiting in the weeds?

 

...

Will COAST pounce if streetcar expansion becomes an issue?

 

"We're going to be there asking the hard questions," (Chris)Finney said. "I think it's a little premature to talk about expansion. But if the ridership numbers justify expanding the line, they probably should do it."

...

Nothing screams Philly like sponsoring Station Names. AT&T, anyone? I certainly hope branding isn't that extreme, but Philly didn't even name its transit system for money.

 

A question to be asked is if this piece of infrastructure is being Sponsored and allowed to be called the Cincinnati Bell Connector, shouldn't other infrastructure be allowed to be renamed? How would you like to see the Greater Cincinnati Drain-O Sewer District? Our how about the Home City Ice Water Works? Virginia was contemplating the sponsorship of roadways, who wouldn't like to see Sam Adam's Central Parkway, or Christian Moerlein's Vine Street?

 

Sponsoring Infrastructure is a slippery slope. allow ads on trains, allow ads on stations, but don't kill the brand or identity.

The Florence Mall water tower had to be turned into the Florence Y'all over the same thing.

The entire discussion about streetcar color is nauseating.

I've spent the past week in Denver and Salt Lake City and have gotten used to seeing the boxy white 1990s light rail vehicles that both of those cities use. Every time I see one of them go by, I can't help but think of how much better Cincinnati's vehicles are. And guess what: both of those cities plaster their trains in ads. At least it Cincinnati we're not going to have ads covering the windows.

 

And as for the names -- how many Salt Lake City residents call it "TRAX" and how many Denver residents call it "TheRide"? I only heard people call it "the light rail" in both cities. Cincinnatians will continue to say "the streetcar" regardless of what the branded name is.

 

On top of it that, our stations are so much nicer. It's huge that we have level boarding at all four doors and don't have to have these super awkward ramps at each station:

 

 

The stations in both cities scream "1990s!" to me, but I guess I will reserve judgement, because it ten years, Cincinnati's stations might scream "2010s!"

The entire discussion about streetcar color is nauseating.

 

Tell me about it. At least thanks to Cincinnati Bell, we wont have to look at that putrid yellow much longer

^ Lots of men suffer from full or partial color blindness, and I think you might be one of them. If you honestly can't tell the difference between the streetcar's yellow/orange and the bright shade of yellow that the Steelers use, I don't think you're seeing the colors accurately. Regardless, it's beyond stupid to change a color scheme just because it might resemble the colors of a rival (awfully one sided rivalry at that) football team. Grow up- not everything is about sports. Have you started a campaign for all Cincinnati area schools to change the colors of their school busses away from the dastardly yellow and black steeler colors as well?  :roll:

I guess if anything this discussion on color schemes just shows how far we've come over the last decade.  If paint job is the biggest concern we have with the streetcar in Cincy then I'd say we're plenty ready for pushing for light rail  :-).

^ Lots of men suffer from full or partial color blindness, and I think you might be one of them. If you honestly can't tell the difference between the streetcar's yellow/orange and the bright shade of yellow that the Steelers use, I don't think you're seeing the colors accurately. Regardless, it's beyond stupid to change a color scheme just because it might resemble the colors of a rival (awfully one sided rivalry at that) football team. Grow up- not everything is about sports. Have you started a campaign for all Cincinnati area schools to change the colors of their school busses away from the dastardly yellow and black steeler colors as well?  :roll:

 

I was not making it about a football team colors. You seem to be implying that.  I personally just don't like the color scheme regardless of which team wears it. I am looking forward to a softer shade of blue/green. It never was about sports with me. Yes, I pointed out that it was Pittsburgh colors, but personally, I just never liked that color.

Hopefully this puts it to bed (again). I liked the yellow, I dont see the world in sports colors, but denying those who say it is steelers colors makes them even more adamant. It appears to be the same. I couldnt find the pantone of the streetcar logo, but it looks like it matches. I love the streetcar, liked the yellow and it will still hang around in the initial (and now collectable) early shirts and literature. I welcome the new blue and green streetcars. ONWARD! (with the Minnesota Timberwolf-TRAMS!  :wink:)

 

In person, it looked more like the orange from the FC Cincinnati logo.

 

In person it was undeniably oranger than the Steelers Yellow. It was much closer to a Tennessee Volunteers orange than a Steelers yellow.

Not that it matters, but here's the actual colors-

 

 

If the images doesn't show up, the Streetcar is RAL 1007

Tennessee Orange:

I dont see why all of you need to split hairs by comparing whether the yellow is Steeler Yellow or some other color yellow. The key point to keep in mind is that we are getting a much better colored streetcar. Comparing it to sports team colors is just trivial and pointless :)

Streetcar colors won't matter much anyway. Most of the vehicle will be covered in ads and the Cincy Bell naming rights. Here is what council approved back in October 2015 for ad placements:

 

 

Red is where Cincy Bell logo and graphics will go. Purple is where Rhinegeist and other wrap ads will go.

 

Yay...

From: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/22/streetcar-ad-sales-near-goal-but-these-spots.html

 

Station sponsorships include Jack Cincinnati Casino, Stough Development and Richter & Phillps.

 

Please tell me this is the station at 12th/Main in front of the Davis Furniture building they're letting deteriorate.

At first I thought your graphic was something you made up as an extreme version of what the ads will be and then I read that was the actual design. My heart sank after that. This will take something very classy and make it look like trash.

Welcome to America, where we don't properly fund things and have to sell naming rights and ads instead.

Tennessee Orange:

 

If Knoxville got streetcars, do you think they'd allow the color scheme to in any way resemble any other SEC team color?  Would Columbus allow streetcars to in any way resemble Michigan?

 

 

I think the rash of "accidents' we are seeing with cars hitting the streetcar is really just a protest by the masses against the current color scheme.

I think the rash of "accidents' we are seeing with cars hitting the streetcar is really just a protest by the masses against the current color scheme.

 

Sounds about right.

It's been said many times before...

 

 

Please now, let's end the "discussion" on the original color scheme and await the CB Connector scheme.

While not an exact match, the Cincinnati Bell colors are at least similar to the city's and Metro's colors. 

But none of those colors are red!!!1~`

Can you believe we are switching the streetcar to Saint Louis FC colors?

While not an exact match, the Cincinnati Bell colors are at least similar to the city's and Metro's colors. 

 

Just saw a commercial for Mercy Health. A good plan B for when CB goes bankrupt or fails to pay(per critics).

 

 

This is starting to go way off topic, but that's one of the reasons I was disappointed several years when Fifth Third dropped their iconic red color scheme in favor of the standard blue and green scheme that you see sooo many other companies using.

 

This is starting to go way off topic, but that's one of the reasons I was disappointed several years when Fifth Third dropped their iconic red color scheme in favor of the standard blue and green scheme that you see sooo many other companies using.

 

If you google image search 'blue and green logo' it is quite overwhelming. 5/3rd even went with the 'orbit' which was popular in the 2000's too.

 

^ Lots of men suffer from full or partial color blindness, and I think you might be one of them. If you honestly can't tell the difference between the streetcar's yellow/orange and the bright shade of yellow that the Steelers use, I don't think you're seeing the colors accurately. Regardless, it's beyond stupid to change a color scheme just because it might resemble the colors of a rival (awfully one sided rivalry at that) football team. Grow up- not everything is about sports. Have you started a campaign for all Cincinnati area schools to change the colors of their school busses away from the dastardly yellow and black steeler colors as well?  :roll:

 

I was not making it about a football team colors. You seem to be implying that.  I personally just don't like the color scheme regardless of which team wears it. I am looking forward to a softer shade of blue/green. It never was about sports with me. Yes, I pointed out that it was Pittsburgh colors, but personally, I just never liked that color.

 

And you've made it crystal clear you don't like the color. It's annoying that you continue to bring it up. Shut up about it.

Seriously the color thing is dead. Let's be more upset that our streetcar will be like NASCAR

 

 

 

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^ Lots of men suffer from full or partial color blindness, and I think you might be one of them. If you honestly can't tell the difference between the streetcar's yellow/orange and the bright shade of yellow that the Steelers use, I don't think you're seeing the colors accurately. Regardless, it's beyond stupid to change a color scheme just because it might resemble the colors of a rival (awfully one sided rivalry at that) football team. Grow up- not everything is about sports. Have you started a campaign for all Cincinnati area schools to change the colors of their school busses away from the dastardly yellow and black steeler colors as well?  :roll:

 

I was not making it about a football team colors. You seem to be implying that.  I personally just don't like the color scheme regardless of which team wears it. I am looking forward to a softer shade of blue/green. It never was about sports with me. Yes, I pointed out that it was Pittsburgh colors, but personally, I just never liked that color.

 

And you've made it crystal clear you don't like the color. It's annoying that you continue to bring it up. Shut up about it.

 

Apparently, the masses agree too. Glad it is settled now.  :-)

Metro's offering a free circulator to complement Streetcar service on opening weekend:

 

Sorta to Offer Metro Bus Circulator For Streetcar Grand Opening Weekend

 

CINCINNATI – The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority will operate free Metro bus circulator service during the grand opening weekend for the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar, Sept. 9-11.

 

The Metro circulator will be free to the public and will stop at specially marked bus stops near streetcar stations to handle overflow from the streetcar service.

 

Large crowds are expected downtown for the weekend, and the bus circulator will allow SORTA to showcase how Metro and the streetcar work as transit partners:

 

Full press release: http://www.go-metro.com/news/717/58/Sorta-to-Offer-Metro-Bus-Circulator-For-Streetcar-Grand-Opening-Weekend

Not sure if that sends the right message. I mean, the point of the streetcar (transportation-wise) is that each one carries 3x as many passengers as a bus and that's it's quicker and easier to board than a bus.

Not sure if that sends the right message. I mean, the point of the streetcar (transportation-wise) is that each one carries 3x as many passengers as a bus and that's it's quicker and easier to board than a bus.

 

They will at least be running all 5 streetcars instead of the normal 3 that weekend, correct?

That's what I've heard.

Not sure if that sends the right message. I mean, the point of the streetcar (transportation-wise) is that each one carries 3x as many passengers as a bus and that's it's quicker and easier to board than a bus.

 

Agreed. Especially for the opening weekend when people are going to want to try out the streetcar, I can't imagine anybody who is waiting at a streetcar station want to jump on a bus instead.

Not sure if that sends the right message. I mean, the point of the streetcar (transportation-wise) is that each one carries 3x as many passengers as a bus and that's it's quicker and easier to board than a bus.

 

Agreed. Especially for the opening weekend when people are going to want to try out the streetcar, I can't imagine anybody who is waiting at a streetcar station want to jump on a bus instead.

 

So there actually may be a good reason to run the shuttle along the streetcar route during opening weekend. If I recall correctly, people will be forced to get off the streetcar at The Banks and Washington Park during opening weekend (so that people can't just ride it around and around, and more people get a chance to ride). So somebody might start their trip at Washington Park, go down to The Banks, and take the shuttle bus back to Washington Park.

So, is Cincinnati Bell going to reprogram the streetcar's friendly bell sound with its own branding?  Don't the various cell phone providers have their own chime sounds?  I tune it all out, so I doubt I could match the sound with the brand. 

So, is Cincinnati Bell going to reprogram the streetcar's friendly bell sound with its own branding?  Don't the various cell phone providers have their own chime sounds?  I tune it all out, so I doubt I could match the sound with the brand. 

 

That'd be clever if they did, but Cincinnati Bell hasn't offered cell phone service since 2014 and even then I don't think they had their own chime all Verizon/AT&T

Are the two streetcars that were hit by vehicles going to be ready to operate by September 9?

^ yes, provided they aren't hit again

I'd recommend that everyone go listen to the latest episode of the Future Great City podcast from nextSTL which features John Schneider[/member] giving a history of the streetcar project. Sometimes you need to forget about all of the current-day minutia and go back and revisit how this project originally came to life and what it was originally intended to do.

I'd recommend that everyone go listen to the latest episode of the Future Great City podcast from nextSTL which features John Schneider[/member] giving a history of the streetcar project. Sometimes you need to forget about all of the current-day minutia and go back and revisit how this project originally came to life and what it was originally intended to do.

 

  ^ Thanks Travis. This has gone on so long -- 20 years -- I had to dig deep to remember everything that has gone on. Alex is a really good interviewer.

I have also seen a few people commenting that they have "seen the streetcar run red lights". Again, if you see something like this, please do your best to educate the person that there are some intersections where all car traffic is stopped and the streetcar has the right of way. Some guy on Twitter yesterday was claiming that the streetcar made a left turn from the right lane while car traffic had a green light. That's completely false. It turns out, traffic engineers are pretty smart. They would never give two conflicting movements the right-of-way at the same time.

 

Feel free to use this GIF when you're educating people...