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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-13-001 - Exemption to Banner PolicyKITCHEI!'~,R Staff Re, p©ri~ CA~O's dice www.kitchenerca REPORT TO: DATE OF MEETING: SUBMITTED BY: PREPARED BY: WARD(S) INVOLVED: DATE OF REPORT: REPORT NO.: SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION: Committee of the Whole January 14, 2013 Rod Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development (519)741-2200 ext 7506 Cory Bluhm, Manager of Downtown Development (519)741-2200 ext 7065 9&10 January 9, 2013 CAO-13-001 Exemption to Banner Policy & Approval of Civic Square Rink Logo That Research in Motion be given a special, one-time exemption from the City's Banner Policy to support the launch of the new BlackBerry 10; and further, That an ice logo promoting the launch of the new BlackBerry 10 be permitted on the Civic Square Rink, for the remainder of the 2013 Winter season. BACKGROUND: Through the City's Banner Policy, banners hung on street poles (primarily located in Downtown Kitchener) are limited to: a) The promotion of community-based non-profit events (ex: Cruising on King); b) The promotion of events, exhibitions or performances at City-related facilities (ex: Centre In The Square); and, c) City driven lifestyle marketing and brand development (ex: promotion of the Kitchener Market) The City has traditionally not permitted the use of banners for direct advertising of products or services, or for the promotion of private enterprises. The cost of any third-party banners (production, installation and removal) is paid for by the proponent. Through the Civic Square Rink Ice Logos Policy, the City permits the placement of logos on the ice rink in front of City Hall. The logos are intended to recognize special occasions or events. The policy allows logos to be placed for one of two periods (from the beginning of the skating season until New Year's Day, or from New Year's Day until the end of the skating season). All logos are to be approved by Council. The cost of production and installation is at the sole expense of the proponent. 3-1 REPORT: Research in Motion (RIM) will be launching the new BlackBerry 10 on January 30th. As a means of building local community support, RIM is looking to host a series of community events that day, including a community skating event on Civic Square. In conjunction, RIM would like to place a graphic on the Civic Square ice rink, and install banners on King Street. Banners The proposed banners promote the launch of the new BlackBerry 10. RIM is hoping to place similar banners in Waterloo and Cambridge. The banners would be left up for approximately 3 weeks. The proposed banners do not meet the City's Banner Policy as they promote both a private enterprise and a commercial product. However, staff feel it is appropriate to provide cone-time, special exemption from the Banner Policy, for the following reasons: - The success of the BlackBerry 10 is critical to the health of the regional economy; - BlackBerry 10 will be a product of international significance, that was largely designed in Waterloo Region; - The banners will help build local community support for a local company; - The banners will be associated in part with a community event; - This partnership could lead to future opportunities for RIM and the City to collaborate on special events; and, - The banners will further help to connect the region's tech industry with Downtown Kitchener. Ice Logo All logos must be approved by Council. As of the time this report was finalized, staff did not have a final design of the logo for the Civic Square Ice Rink. Provided the proposed logo meets the general intent of Council Policy I-385 (that it promotes a special occasion/event or contains some form of community message), staff support the placement of a logo for the intended purpose. The logo would remain on the ice until the end of the skating season. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Leadership and Community Engagement -the intent of the launch event, banners and ice logo is to encourage the community to feel a part of the new BlackBerry 10 launch, and to encourage a sense of pride in a locally-made product that has international significance. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The costs associated with the banners and ice logo will be covered by the proponent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: None ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development 3-2