ACCESSIBLE website and NEW brand will revitalize engagement with Opelika citizens
The City of Opelika is releasing a new brand identity, which includes a new logo, clearly defined colors and new fonts. In addition, we are launching a redesigned website the first week of April 2018. The new look will carry through social media. Very soon, the new brand will be on signage, business packages, fleet graphics and buildings.
“For the last 14 or so years, we have primarily used the city seal. We will continue to use that for official business, like council minutes, proclamations and resolutions. But, we felt it was time to create a brand that can carry us forward. The new look better suits the Opelika we know and love today. The evolution and history of our great City is reflected in this new brand. We’re excited to finally share the new brand and our new website with the community,” said Mayor Gary Fuller.
With the new ADA compliant website (www.opelika-al.gov), the city is introducing a more convenient, seamless platform that includes a Community Voice module where citizens can post ideas and comments about specific topics, and the city can provide accurate and timely information about various projects and things going on in the city. The city will continue to work toward a dynamic website infrastructure where citizens can have an integrated place to take care of business.
We will also be able to quickly communicate news and information to citizens in an engaging and effective manner with the Notify Me and Citizen Request Tracker modules. Citizens can sign up for news and information of their choice, which can be delivered by email or text, and they can submit requests online for anything from a pothole repair to a street light being out.
“We want to exceed citizen expectations in all the ways we communicate. We are offering more ways for citizens to talk to us and to get a complete story. We’ll continue our social presence, but we hope that our new website will be the first place people seek information from the city,” said Leigh Krehling, City of Opelika Community Relations Officer.
“Opelika is full of surprises. It’s a wonderful place to call home. We have a story to tell and it’s time to shout it from the rooftops. We are as good, actually better, than any other city in Alabama. We live and work beside passionate residents who make this community what it is. We also have a school system and the kind of jobs that draw the best workers and families here,” said Krehling.
Over the last year, many people, including city staff, public relations professionals, consultants and business leaders, have worked together with Krehling to develop the new brand and website. Krehling added, that this decision was not made quickly.
The research revealed that the railroad has been important for generations and is still special to our community. It is an integral part of the city’s growth and prosperity. People consistently stated that Opelika is more than a place to live, work and play; it’s a destination, a lifestyle, a community, a home.
“It took hours of hard work and research. We interviewed citizens and staff to determine the thoughts and feelings about a new brand. There is nothing I love more than learning how people love Opelika. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in the process. The number one goal has always been to do things to help our citizens and find solid ways to communicate in a timely manner. I think that citizens will find that the new website does just that. There may be a few hiccups along the way, but my department will continue to improve processes and avenues to connect with the public,” said Krehling.
For more information, please contact Leigh Krehling, Community Relations Officer at [email protected] or 334.705.5136.