Mardi Gras looks to the future
New Mardi Gras (NMG) will tomorrow unveil a whole new look for season 2012 and beyond.
A new season logo will be unveiled at two public events, and then detailed at a special evening forum at Paddingtown Town Hall.
NMG chair Pete Urmson (pictured) said the new look, which has been in planning for about 18 months, would reflect changes to both the organisation and the broader community.
“Mardi Gras represents so many different things to so many different people … our community has grown in so many different directions very quickly, and a lot of that is social change that Mardi Gras has helped or has been a part of,” he told the Star Observer.
“We are looking at making the Mardi Gras brand and the season brand more relevant.”
Urmson said the decisions around the new branding were the result of ongoing discussions with the community about the future of Mardi Gras.
“Elements in the new brand recognise the contribution of past community leaders and groups and what Mardi Gras has stood for and achieved,” Urmson said.
“But we now need to also look forward through visionary eyes of the future to appeal to a new generation.
“There will be a number of new events next season that will pay tribute to our heritage. There are a lot of stories of our history that have not been told and we want to pull together a platform where we can ensure that history is not lost.”
Urmson said he was confident the new brand would resonate with people and re-establish a connection between Mardi Gras and the community.
“I think a lot of people have lost that connection with us — they just see us as a parade and party,” he said.
“But we want to take our essence back to a movement that stands for diversity and inclusiveness for all.”
INFO: The first New Mardi Gras launch event will take place 6-10.30am at Bondi Beach, in front of the Surf Lifesaving Club. The event will then move to Farm Cove — between the Opera House and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair — at the Botanic Gardens from 11am. Anyone who can volunteer their time should email [email protected]
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Dave, “it is nice to think of the streets crammed with so many people having a ball” um in 1982 maybe? now its more like so many people throwing bottles and plain sleaze.
Mardi Gras has become so inclusive it is no longer relevant. All it is missing are straight people. Oh, wait, those are the people lined up 10 deep along the sidewalks taking pictures of all the freaks in sequins and feathers or with their tits and dicks hanging out…. silly me, never mind….
Before we call it some William Yang Play about sadness, let us just remember thousands of people love Mardi Gras, and it sends a strong message of support to people all over Australia.
I can only measure Mardi Gras by the numbers and there are always a few hundred thousand people. I live in a country area, and when the local Fairfax newspapers runs headlines “Gays bad for Children”, or “Do not support Jews”, and recently ran all sorts of slurs against a gay men who was bashed to death in his own home, it is nice to think of the streets crammed with so many people having a ball.
It is a bit corporate, and that is my only complaint, but I can live with that knowing the great work that is done by those who participate in putting the show on, and those who attend.
I’m glad when the Mardi Gras is on.
I can have a quiet beer at the bar in peace.
Since my comment this morning they must of read this article because they’ve updated their website and taken off the big graphics of parties and parade. Maybe Pete Urmsen should of told them he was saying this before it got printed!
It sounds like corporate re branding to me. I think its lost its relevance long time ago.
And missing from the story is that the rebrand is actually about intellectual property, the motion that failed at previous board meetings.
But all they are is an event management company! They don’t *do* anything other than events! (and some of those not very well…)
“I think a lot of people have lost that connection with us — they just see us as a parade and party”
Odd that they say this but their website http://www.mardigras.org.au has 3 major graphics on the home page: Harbour Party, Parade, Party.
Aren’t they perpetuating the “lost connection” they speak of?