President Obama, whose campaign was arguably the most successful political branding effort in American history, is bringing the same approach to the economic recovery.
President Obama announced today that his administration will begin stamping an emblem on projects funded by the economic stimulus package so that people can easily recognize the effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.It's a strong design. I like the green added to the requisite red, white, and blue. Sustainability and renewability are patriotic, the logo says.
All projects will be stamped with the ARRA logo (short for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) and lists the recovery.gov website on the emblem.
In remarks at the Department of Transportation this morning, Mr. Obama referenced the new emblems.
“We’re also making it easier for Americans to see what projects are being funded with their money as part of our recovery. So in the weeks to come, the signs denoting these projects are going to bear the new emblem of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” Obama said.
It's worth noting that the last time the federal government embarked on a recovery program this ambitious, it branded that effort also.
Just as the New Deal is indelibly associated with FDR, Obama wants the restoration and renewal of the American economy to be associated with his presidency. Good or bad, he is going to own the results. He is apparently quite confident that his plan is going to work.
[h/t TPM]
