Skip to Main Content
As It Happens

Alberta town wants you to know: 'There are a number of things to do in Okotoks'

Coming up with a catchy slogan can be tricky business. Some end up iconic - think "I Love NY" - while others end up being memorable for all the wrong reasons. Okotoks, Alta., put it plainly. The town's tourism slogan is "There are a number of things to do in Okotoks."
CBC News ·
This photo, which has gone viral, only shows "one part of the ad" according to town spokesperson Shane Olson. He says the actual tagline is "let your summer unfold in Okotoks." (Sarah-Nelle Jackson/Facebook)

It's not easy to come up with a slogan for your town. It has to be original, catchy, memorable, inviting, concise, and reflective of the community. Or "on-brand" as people apparently say. 

Coming up with a catchy slogan is not easy. For every successful one, like "I Love NY", there's a slogan that doesn't quite hit the mark. La Crosse, Kansas, is probably a wonderful place, but calling yourself the "Barbed Wire Capital of the World" doesn't entice one to visit. Or there are the slogans that aim for clever and end up too clever by half; like the slogan for Timewell, Illinois: "Time spent in Timewell is time well spent." 

Lately, there's been a lot of fuss on social media about the new tourism campaign in Okotoks, Alta. The town sits about 18 kilometres south of Calgary. And to attract Calgarians, the folks from Okotoks put ads on Calgary transit vehicles. Recently, someone took a picture of one of those ads and posted it to social media. There was the stylish Okotoks logo -- and above it, a slogan: "There are a number of things to do in Okotoks."

But Okotoks' manager of economic development, Shane Olson, says the photo doesn't give a full picture of the town's tourism campaign, or its pithy slogan writers. Have a listen to how he explained it to David Gray, host of CBC Calgary's Eyeopener. 

As It Happens1:29The power of a great slogan: Okotoks, Alberta wants you to know "There are a number of things to do in Okotoks"
The power of a great slogan: Okotoks, Alberta wants you to know "There are a number of things to do in Okotoks" 1:29

Really, though,  "There are a number of things to do in Okotoks" can't be the silliest slogan, or slogan mishap, out there. If you've seen worse, or weirder, tell us about it in the comments below; tweet @cbcasithappens; email is aih@cbc.ca. You can call our Talkback line at 416-205-5687. Photos, of course, are welcomed and encouraged. 

More from this episode

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

now