REAL Board of Directors opting back to Tourism Regina brand, following Experience Regina backlash
Following a controversial rebrand to Experience Regina, Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) has announced it will be reverting back to the Tourism Regina name.
The rebrand, announced earlier in the year, received worldwide criticism for some of its slogans that played on the city’s name and the fact that it rhymes with the word vagina.
In a press conference Thursday, Wayne Morsky, the REAL board chair, said the board has determined next steps following the brand change backlash.
“We looked at what we felt in the public that we were hearing, and we felt that going back to Tourism Regina was the best thing that we could do at this time,” Morsky said.
“This will allow us to return to work and support the local visitors economy as we head into a busy spring and summer season.”
The city’s tourism website, which had been unavailable for the past few weeks, has also beeen relaunched as Tourism Regina, as have all of its social media channels.
In addition to reverting back to the old name, REAL said a third party consultant will complete an independent review to examine what happened leading up to and during the Experience Regina launch.
Morsky said a cost estimate or timeline for that review are not known yet.
“We’re in the final stages of negotiating the contract with the consultant and so I can’t report on the exact cost or time at this time,” Morsky said.
Once the review is complete, Morsky said the REAL board of directors will look it over and submit it to city council.
At this point, Morsky said he is not aware of any REAL employees losing their job as a result of the campaign.
“The status is status quo until the independent review is completed. Then the board of directors will make any decisions going forward at that time,” he said.
“I think it’s more important for us to have a quality review done and find out how this happened so we can learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen in the future. As far as one person, or any people, that’s something we haven’t talked about.”
Moving forward, REAL said it will consult with more diverse community groups to develop inclusive brand strategies.
-- With files from CTV News' Drew Postey and Caitlin Brezinski
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Millions of Canadians have been exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
Biden calls Trump 'unhinged,' says 'something snapped' in former president after he lost 2020 U.S. election
U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday called Donald Trump “clearly unhinged” and claimed that “something snapped” in the former president after he lost the 2020 election.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.