The city is enlarging its brand. City commissioners approved the creation of a new city logo Tuesday night, which will act as a secondary symbol to represent Plant City. The city also set in motion plans to honor Ashley Moody for winning the election.
The rebranding is part of the new partnership between the city and Fryed Egg Productions, who has been hired to handle the city’s media management. The logo features the words “The City of Plant City” adjacent to a picture of the historic lampposts found throughout downtown. Underneath is one of the city’s mottos, “Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future.”
“This design, it’s simple but elegant,” Commissioner Mary Mathis said. “I like it a lot.”
Commissioner Bill Dodson echoed his approval of the new logo and praised it for paying tribute to the city’s motto. He said the lamppost signified the city making an effort to preserve its past while the “modern font” represented the city embracing the future.
The official Plant City seal that has been the city’s traditional logo is by no means being replaced by the new image. City Manager Bill McDaniel said the seal will be used for certain aspects of the city, like with any public safety departments.
Commissioners frequently wear a pin of the seal on their lapels and Mayor Rick Lott expressed his fondness for the seal and his gratitude that they were going to be keeping it on deck.
McDaniel presented the new logo to commissioners Tuesday night to get their opinions on it before having it finalized. He said city staff “had their fingers all over it” and helped Fryed Egg come up with the final product.
“I’m probably not the best person to ask because I live my life on the other side of the brain where creativity goes to die,” Vice Mayor Nate Kilton joked.
He also said that he knows Plant City has a story to tell, that it’s rich history and bright future should be apparent with effective branding and that he was looking forward to seeing the new logo approved.
All of the commissioners approved the new logo and McDaniel said he would continue the process of getting it implemented and city employees would be briefed on how to properly use it. It should be rolling out on letterheads and other documents soon.
Lott also sought out the approval of the commissioners on the city using funds to celebrate the election of Plant City
native Ashley Moody who is the Florida Attorney General-elect. He proposed the city create signs congratulating Moody and place them at some of the key entrances to the city.
“I’m very proud of Ashley Moody,” Lott said. “She’s the very first person from Plant City elected to the Florida Cabinet… I want to throw the idea out. She’s sworn into office on January 9 and I’ve seen other cities do this, we did it with Brooke Bennett.”
Bennett is an American former competition swimmer and three-time Olympic champion. She grew up in Plant City and went to Durant High School.
McDaniel estimated it would cost around $50 a sign since the city makes everything in-house.
Commissioners agreed to allow the cost and Mathis suggested the city hold an open reception with Moody prior to a commission meeting one week so the public could come and congratulate her. Dodson said the city should also give Moody a proclamation to wish her the best moving forward.
“I think it’s good to recognize our own when they do great things,” Lott said.