Ivana Martinovic: City of Melbourne

The City of Melbourne Council asked Landor to develop a cohesive brand strategy and new identity system. The challenge was to reflect Melbourne’s cool sophistication on the world stage, capture the passion of its people, and provide the city with a unified, flexible, and future-focused image. The new identity needed to overcome political complexities, improve the cost-effectiveness of managing the brand, and unite the disparate range of entities (including the Council, the city of Melbourne’s destination brand, and an ever-growing portfolio of different initiatives, programs, services, events, and activities).

We built the branding program based on the results of a thorough audit of Melbourne’s various identities and its long-term sustainability and strategic plans. The audit assessed public opinion and interviewed stakeholders who included local government officials, business owners, and community representatives. At the heart of the new design, the bold “M” presents a full expression of the identity system—immediately recognizable and as multifaceted as the city itself: creative, cultural, sustainable. A celebration of diversity and personal interpretation that is both future-proof and iconic.