A logo for everyone

Let’s talk about Ocean City’s new marketing logo and why I have no opinion on it.

It’s true and I confess that it surprises me as much as anyone, considering that I have an opinion on most things.

I even have an opinion on my own opinions, which is that mine aren’t that reliable, since they are subject to change depending on whatever new information comes my way and from whom.

I worked here in town with an ad salesperson by the name of Annie Powell, who had on her wall a poster that said, “It’s not creative unless it sells.”

That quote came from the late ad agency giant David Ogilvy, who was the only person ever knighted in England for getting people to buy things they didn’t know they wanted.

So, the question is, will Winky Sun sell Ocean City to people who don’t know anything about it?

Again, I don’t know, but I do have an idea about how to adjust this logo so it’s more representative of a true Maryland experience.

By Stewart Dobson

As I have mentioned several times before, I’m a little bit of a contrarian. That means even if you and I had the same opinion about something, I’d probably argue that if I’m agreeing with you, then both of us must be wrong.

I’m not quite that bad, but I am happy to argue about anything just for the sport of it, with the one exception being the style, substance and effectiveness of the Winky Sun logo.

Here are my four reasons for that:

1. I already live here, so I don’t care.

2. I don’t care because ... I just don’t, that’s why, okay?

3. It’s not as bad as having three bears squeezing it to show us how soft it is.

4. I’m withholding my opinion until after Labor Day.

That’s the thing, I can’t say whether it’s good, bad or fair-to-middling, because I won’t know how well it worked, or didn’t work, until the numbers are in once the summer has ended.

What I do know, though, is that years ago

After much thought about this state’s longheld traditions, and digging into my own experiences here, which include a weekend of underage pursuit of happiness until making the acquaintance of a giant police officer, who said something like, “Pour it out or I’ll pinch your head off,” I have produced what I believe is the perfect Ocean City beach logo.

It combines the old and the new, and imparts a message that says fun can be had here ... as long as it’s legal.

At least this is my current opinion, which could change, depending.

What do you think?