branding TX cities

from yesterday's Dallas Morning News (10/5):

In competition for tourists, business, cities use 'brands' to stand out 08:36 AM CDT on Sunday, October 5, 2008
By FRANK TREJO / The Dallas Morning News

"For Mesquite, it's a wisp of smoke. For Grapevine, a cluster of purple grapes. For McKinney, the serene outline of a tree.

To get logos like these, along with market studies and more, North Texas cities are shelling out big bucks to companies that specialize in helping them make a name for themselves.

While city "branding" has been around for a decade or more, officials from several area cities say increased competition for tourist and development dollars makes it essential these days." ...

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