'Proud Hamilton' aiming to boost city's image from within

Waterfalls. Jackson Square. McMaster University.

Zoom in even closer. Community hubs. Annual festivities. Churches collaborating.

Hamilton has these and much more to celebrate. But Hamiltonians need to start talking about them.

As the Jobs Prosperity Collaborative gears up for a 15-week image campaign this summer to get Hamiltonians to see their city with new eyes, it is asking residents to start coming up with stories of why they're proud of where they live.

Mark Chamberlain, JPC chairperson, said the coalition's focus is on jobs and it has identified the biggest priority for creating the right kind of jobs in Hamilton is changing the city's image.

Not from the outside in but the inside out. Chamberlain says the biggest problem is how Hamiltonians see their own city, not how others see it.

"It's hard to sell a product if you're not excited about it yourself," he said. "Defects are not building blocks ... we have wonderful things to be proud of."

Speaking at an introductory meeting about the Proud Hamilton campaign at the McMaster Innovation Park, he identified Hamilton's health care and education systems as examples.

Michael Marini, marketing co-ordinator with the city's economic development and real estate division, says the need to address the image issue is consistent with the city's own research of what it should focus on to generate economic interest.

The Proud Hamilton campaign will start May 3 and run through Aug. 8. It will consist of:

* Proud Hamilton website

* Proud Hamilton logo

* Proud Hamilton Facebook page

* Poster blitz

* Submitted YouTube videos, screened by JPC

* Television features

* Promotional items, such as mugs and reusable grocery bags

Comments

[Glen Atwell]

Is this trully a showcase of Hamilton or just a Red Hering to distract the shortfalls of Hamilton such as the Randle Reef, falling down buildings and crack houses?
Hype is hype and nothing more than a cheerleading team does not protect our resources. Nor does it clean up our streets, prevent flooding and make our way of life a desireable place to live. Only by digging in and cleaning up the mess in the streets and in politics will our city have a chance to shine. Presenting the image of Dundern Castle will do nothing to clean up the Mess on Hess that people will see comming to Hamilton.

[Maria]

I agree that there are a lot of shortfalls - the Randle Reef issue alone is just upsetting. However, I also agree that Hamiltonians need to look at Hamilton in a different way. Every city has its own shortfalls, but if citizens are empowered to making Hamilton the best it can be, that is one step forward. The city is truly beautiful and has so much potential. Let's try to focus on the positives, love our city for what it is and take our own action into making it even better.