Bowie Brand Development

Introduction

Over the last year, we’ve talked to hundreds of residents and businesses across Bowie to better understand and define, 'who we are, what makes us great, and why people can, and should, choose Bowie to live, work, play, and invest'.

We’ve put together a draft ‘brand story’ that touches on some of what we heard, and soon we’ll be introducing a new look and feel for Bowie marketing and communications that will bring this refreshed story to life in a powerful new way.

There will be much more to come, but at this point we want to share our progress and receive some feedback from the community before making final refinements and tailoring specific messages for marketing and other uses. We also want to make sure the updated visuals resonate with the many communities that make up our great city.

Your input is vital. Please help by taking a few moments to:

  1. View the background of this project and read about some of the key findings
  2. Read our refreshed story
  3. View the refreshed designs
  4. Share your feedback
  1. Background
  2. Our Story
  3. Design
  4. FEEDBACK?

Background

Did you know that the City of Bowie’s official seal was created as a result of a contest in the 1960s to create a seal for the growing city? The designs of three finalists were combined into the seal we still use today.

New_Bowie_Seal_no background

Since that time, we have mostly relied on that seal to represent the City of Bowie in publications, official actions, and in many other types of uses. Over the last several years there has been growing emphasis on: 

  1. Marketing Bowie to potential businesses and residents
  2. Doing a better job of telling Bowie’s story and talking about the city in consistent language
  3. Creating a less formal design for designating or branding something as coming from or being about the City of Bowie in more casual events or settings, like other local governments in the region have done.
Official SealLogo
Montgomery County SealMontgomery County Logo
Prince Georges County LogoPrince Georges County Logo
Gaithersburg SealGaithersburg Logo
New_Bowie_Seal_no background

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Research and Gathering Input

We enlisted the help of branding experts to guide us through this process. Over the last year, they have done research and assessments about Bowie and have interviewed and surveyed residents, businesses, leaders, activities and other local groups about what they value about our city. 

From this research and input, they compiled a list of characteristics that describe Bowie. They logically fell into three categories that are listed below as brand pillars.

Describing Today's Bowie

Family-centered roots for tomorrowBuilt by neighbors; working for allHome base for growing residents
Branding Images - Family-centered roots for tomorrow header imageBranding Images - Built by neighbors working for all header imageBranding Images - Home base for growing businesses header image
  • Events and programs for all ages
  • Convenient healthcare options nearby
  • Variety of retail and convenience shopping
  • Excellent public and private school options
  • Beautiful natural greenspaces, paths & trails; and destination parks (Allen Pond, Whitemarsh, etc.)
  • Great recreational facilities including an ice rink, municipal gymnasium, and a nationally accredited senior center
  • Home of Bowie Baysox AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles
  • Home of Liberty Sports Park and a future recreational complex on the former racetrack site
  • Among the highest number of ballfields per capita in MD
  • Diverse, inclusive suburban haven embracing 70+ spiritual and religious centers and numerous international groups
  • Range of housing options across city neighborhoods and communities
  • Variety of community festivals, concerts, performances, and other cultural amenities
  • Community-based policing; one of MD’s safest cities
  • Numerous Green City initiatives
  • Engaged, activist population
  • Solar farm and electric vehicle charging stations
  • Service-focused & fiscally responsible government (AAA bond rating)
  • For business, central location and prime access to DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis.
  • Easy access by major highways
  • MARC connection to Baltimore and DC and BWI Airport
  • Home base for many professionals and independent enterprises
  • Well-educated, affluent workforce
  • Bowie State University on our doorstep
  • Dynamic, entrepreneurial “ecosystem” for independent businesses fueled by Bowie Business Innovation Center (a renowned accelerator for companies and contractors), and the city’s business-savvy development programs
  • Ideal location for “hybrid” workstyle professionals, firms, and entrepreneurs.