Marketing Meeting Report

This week there was a Marketing Meeting. Five of us met in IRC to discuss various items and to kick off our 2009 programme. Here are a couple of the highlights, with a bit more background information.

Local Chapter Logo Usage

Recently a few local chapters were wondering about how they could use the OSGeo logo and customise it for their local use. Historically, the guidelines for using the main logo have prevented alteration of the logo. Yet there was recent work done that would allow additional text describing the logos purpose:

These were primarily for users and projects to stamp on their web pages to easy identification back to OSGeo. But some local chapters are interested in doing more and taking parts of the main logo and incorporating them into their local version. Others are only interested in changing the text under the logo so it reflects the local chapter name, for example with the Japan chapter's rendition.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Australia-New Zealand chapter has a beautiful rendition of a logo based roughly on the shape and colours of the previous OSGeo logo, though not really remixing the logo in a new way. It's more unique than it is a remix.

There are several more interesting examples out there that bring up the main questions. For example the FOSSGIS German group is mixing the OSGeo compass symbol into various renditions, helping to bring together elements from their past. See here.

The question of logo usage has two faces. First a local chapter may always have their own unique logo - there is no restriction on this specifically and local chapters are encouraged to do their own branding and to use the OSGeo logo as part of it. The main question then is whether or not a local chapter (or project) should be allowed to use elements of the OSGeo logo and remix them for their purposes, as in the FOSSGIS example.

The Marketing mailing list had some discussion on this earlier in the month. One side of the discussion ( here ) gave some encouragement for loosening restrictions and several were in agreement. The main point being that free and open use and mixing of the logo should be seen a strength to our community - people like parts of graphics then let them use it since it doesn't detract from the main usage of the local in formal contexts.

The opposing view is centred around our trademark guidelines which seeks to protect the OSGeo brand from confusion and dilution. As one of OSGeo primary brand identifiers it is argued that it should not be used lightly or modified without approval. The core question then becomes whether OSGeo should relax the trademark guidelines or not.

Those discussing it during our last meeting were in agreement with loosening restrictions, with the expectation that local chapters would use their logo (in whatever form) when talking about their chapter, but when referring back to OSGeo in particular the main OSGeo logo would be logical to use. In some context it would make sense to use both logos - e.g. a news items or event poster - and would not necessarily dilute the main brand.

Further discussion was deferred back to the list to seek a consensus view. The main documents that would needs some attention are the trademark guidelines but also some direction for usage in the local chapter guidelines.

Assign Leads for 2009 Projects

The 2009 Marketing Budget approved last year identifies several of the main projects for the marketing committee. To help ensure some progress on each item, we discussed who might be interested in helping lead/coordinate each component. The hope here is to delegate responsibilities to members of the committee or community who would like to help see the project move along. Then others can join with them to help were they are interested. Everyone present at the meeting offered to take on a part:

• Communication and Branding - next stage of branding development and design. Tyler or other who is interested
• Website Redesign - co-ordinating with webcom, overseeing project with designers. Daniele with support from Cameron, Wolf, Jeroen.
• Material Production - overseeing production based on above branding development. Jeroen
• Exhibition Pack Prototype - following status of very parts of planning, development and production. Alex also coordinating with Tyler re #1 and #3 above.
• Event Support - reaching out to identify or find upcoming event opportunities. Cameron

Each person will help pull together a work plan and invite others to join in, as well as give a report at the next marketing meeting. If you are particularly interested in one area, please contact the person above or mention it on the Marketing mailing list.

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For more information on other items discussed during meeting, see the posted minutes.
The next meeting is the first Thursday of February. All are welcome to join us in IRC and participate.