[OKFN-NP] Branding update: who we are and what we do

[Prakash Neupane]

Got this message from central.


Hello,

In this email:

* what is a brand?

* how we've developed the brand together

* what the brand says about us all

* how the new brand will help us grow open knowledge

* what to expect from our new brand

A brand is how people feel about something when they hear its name, see its
logo, or look at its website.  Because we are a very diverse network, with
so many different regions, interests, skills and backgrounds, it is a
challenge to try to represent everything with one logo and one name. Some
people may not like the new logo, especially if they are familiar with the
old one, and it may take time to get used to it; however, the overall brand
refresh is designed to help us reach new people with the message of open
knowledge, which will make even more positive change in the world - and
that is really important. We've worked over several months with experts to
develop a brand which conveys the powerful message of open knowledge and
which will help us open up more information, and see it used and useful.
This will enable us to build on the success of the first ten years of open
knowledge and to do even more amazing things in our second decade.

All of you have helped create the new brand through your activities in open
knowledge. We've worked to capture all of what we do, across many countries
and domains of knowledge and activities, and to fit all that into our new
brand (of course, here 'what we do' means all of us together). Here's some
of what we've heard from you:

Who are we?  We're an organisation for all, full of guides and activists,
changing the world and helping others do that too. We're known for our
culture and community, our activities and our achievements. We open minds
with both theory and practice (thinking and doing), showing how all of
society can gain from being open. We see openness as a means to an end, for
example holding governments to account or sustaining access to works in the
public domain. We're passionate about open thinking, we love collaboration
and empowerment not control, we're engaged not complacent.

What do we do and how do we do it?  Since 2004 we have been
theorganisation opening up data across the world. We do this through
being:

* Technology pioneers: We built and maintain CKAN, the leading open source
data platform that is used by governments globally, and allows anyone to
easily store, explore and distribute data

* All-round experts: As experts in both the technical and strategic aspects
of opening up data we offer help and consultancy advice to governments keen
to open their data, to NGOs on how to use data to create change, and to
anyone else keen to turn data into knowledge.

* A network of pioneers: We are a worldwide network of thousands of people
who care about openness, who inspire and support our practical and advocacy
work.

* Data makers: Through practical projects, research and collaborations,
such as where does my money go?, OpenSpending and Europe's Energy, we
explore how data can be used and demonstrate what it can do.

* Thought leaders and campaigners: Using our day-to-day experience we
identify the barriers to opening data and opportunities for data use, and
use these as a basis to campaign and advocate for greater openness. Our
Open Data Index sets out the state of openness worldwide and we contributed
to the formation of the G8 Open Data Charter.

* Knowledge sharers: We know knowledge is power, so we work hard to teach
people what open data is and how they can use it best. Through bespoke
training courses, our School of Data, our Open Data and Data Journalism
Handbooks, and a whole series of events, conferences and festivals, we
empower people to seek the answers to questions that matter.

How are we different from other organisations?

* We're a global network of people - passionate about openness and open
thinking, rolling up our sleeves and getting on with it.

* We're a grassroots, bottom-up, diverse and dynamic network

* We want to change the world and empower people through data.

* We're the sector leaders, the pioneers, and the experts.

* We don't just think, we do (from CKAN, to the Public Domain Review, to
School of Data...).

Together with Johnson Banks, an expert branding agency who have done lots
of work with other non-profit organisations, we've taken all of the above
ideas from you all, and condensed it into words and images that convey who
we are and what we do and why it matters. The new, cleaner brand will help
people instantly get a good sense of what open knowledge is and will make
it more appealing for many people to get involved (eg joining your group,
forming new groups, creating new tools, sharing skills around lobbying, etc).


In the next email, we'll introduce you to the new logo and words we'll be
using soon. We are looking forward to sharing it with you.

-- 
Prakash Neupane
http://prakashneupane.com.np/my-affiliations/
Open Knowledge Enthusiastic
*Empowering through Open Knowledge*
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