It has all of the makings of the newest metropolis of Boston boondoggle – a sketchy scheme to lift income by promoting official merchandise like hats, hoodies and water bottles emblazoned with town seal and model to gullible vacationers and residents.
Who of their proper thoughts is clamoring for official Boston merch in addition to the illustrious Metropolis Council and possibly Mayor Michelle Wu, who may gain advantage politically from this system?
Nobody actually, however that hasn’t stopped town from continuing with a $100,000 taxpayer-funded pilot enterprise authorized by the free-spending council.
“Once you fall in love with a metropolis, you need to put on it in your chest, you need to put it on a hoodie, a cap, and carry it in your water bottle,” Councilor Sharon Durkan instructed the Boston Globe in a constructive puff piece.
This system is timed to begin with subsequent 12 months’s 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s well-known trip, which might be a great place to begin for promoting t-shirts with a “Boston 250” brand.
Ellen Foord, Boston’s chief artistic officer, mentioned town has gotten Boston College college students to workshop concepts and advertising and marketing plans for this system.
Initially, Boston has a “chief artistic officer?” Secondly, let’s hope the scholars don’t give you social gathering concepts or consuming logos for town.
Town will then resolve which iconic names or symbols town needs to trademark, such because the blue letter “B” and town seal or possibly a drawing of ghastly Boston Metropolis Corridor.
Town has lofty objectives of creating tens of thousands and thousands in added income from the branding program, which is extremely unrealistic on condition that just a few different cities have tried this with out a lot success, besides iconic New York Metropolis.
The issue is that with the intention to make actual cash, town would want to get logos and licensing rights to town seal and different official logos and spend thousands and thousands of {dollars} in authorized charges to dam counterfeit merch.
Though it’s a metropolis council thought first proposed by Councilor and Wu supporter Sharon Durkan, don’t be stunned if Wu tries to hijack it to place her smiling face and title on the enterprise, and assault President Trump. It’s additionally an opportunity to present printing or merchandising offers to politically related or unionized enterprise supporters.
She may additionally attempt to trademark a few of her favourite quotes about Boston.
“Boston: the most secure main metropolis within the nation” can be one she undoubtedly would attempt to license.
Or: “Boston Will By no means Again Down.”
One other of her chestnuts: “In Boston, We Don’t Take heed to Kings.”
And possibly even for 2028, “Wu for President.”
However how about some different merch that will likely be even hotter sellers? Sayings and slogans not essentially authorized by the Wu administration.
Comparable to:
“Have a Blast at Mass and Cass!”
“Bike Lane Insane.”
“America’s Most secure Metropolis…HaHa.”
“Most of our Metropolis Council hasn’t been Indicted”
“Boston: We’re not so Krafty.”
‘We Throw a Nice Vacation Celebration and You’re Not Invited!”
“Boston: It’s Trump’s Fault.”
“I Coronary heart Wutopia.”
“I’m from Boston, how about Wu?”
“Boston: Find it irresistible or Depart it, or simply go away it.”
“One if by Land, Two if by ICE.”
“I Shoplifted this T-Shirt in Downtown Crossing.”
“Wake Up and Odor the Hashish.”
“Boston: If Solely We Might Tax the Rats.”
Now, these is perhaps an actual money cow.
