Bell: Danielle Smith's thumbs-down to Calgary's Blue Sky City brand

Danielle Smith is not alone.

Calgary's new Blue Sky City brand does not impress the Alberta premier.

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"I personally like Be Part of the Energy," says Smith, of the city brand now being punted.

"I thought it was really clever. Not only is it a reference to the energy sector but it conveys the vibrancy of Calgary.

"Blue Sky City. That could be anywhere. Be Part of the Energy actually says something about the character and nature of Calgary.

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"If it is the case somebody is embarrassed by that, it's very disappointing. I'm not embarrassed at all."

Yes, you know you're in trouble if your big idea becomes a punchline in less than 24 hours.

But that's exactly what's happened.

Some wisecracking types around town are already abbreviating the Blue Sky in the Blue Sky City brand to B.S.

B.S. City.

The old brand was fine as far as brands go.

But you don't scoop up dough unless you make suggestions that cost money. In this case, $4.8 million.

Yes, the big brains at Calgary Economic Development and Tourism Calgary said some Calgarians don't feel represented by the city's brand Calgary: Be Part of the Energy.

They also figured the brand could leave a one-dimensional impression for those outside Alberta.

One-dimensional means oil and gas.

They also stated in other countries a declining number of folks think Calgary is diverse and inclusive.

So the big brains thought and they thought and got other people to think their way through $4.8 million and after the taxpayer money was spent they arrived at a new brand.

Calgary is a Blue Sky City.

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As one deep-thinker put it. One thing we have in common is we all sit under the same sky.

Now that's $4.8 million worth of profound thinking. Not!

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1. Bell: Calgary is now the inclusive Blue Sky City — you are kidding, right?

2. Calgary wants to be known as the Blue Sky City. But will it stick?

People have questions but common sense sorts are never asked what they think. What we think.

How did the individuals telling us about the awesomeness of Calgary as Blue Sky City not talk to any of the many individuals who think this brand is a waste of time and money?

No, we're there to fork out the dough and let the self-styled smart set call the shots.

And you don't dare speak up.

Don't you want to be more diverse? Don't you want to be more inclusive?

Mayor Jyoti Gondek and city council should haul Calgary Economic Development on the carpet.

Is Blue Sky City an example of the best they've got? They're embarrassing.

Let's tell it like it is.

If there is a problem with some people in the city not feeling welcome and some people outside Alberta thinking Calgary is a city of oil-guzzling yahoos, what does calling Calgary Blue Sky City do?

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The square root of squat. Stupid is as stupid does.

Premier Smith says she loves telling those around the world of the energy powerhouse here and the diversified economy.

More than 200,000 people came to Alberta last year, many to Calgary, and the premier says the Be Part of the Energy brand didn't hurt in the ability to attract people.

"Maybe they're misjudging what they're saying to the world with a change like that," says Smith, of the Blue Sky City crowd.

Dan McLean, a Calgary councillor not afraid to speak his mind, says he has nothing against blue skies.

In fact, he quite likes blue skies.

But McLean asks the question on a lot of people's minds.

"Why are we making the change? There's no reason to spend $5 million."

The city council member suggests the money could fill some potholes.

McLean says he is good with the city's Be Part of the Energy brand.

He was good with the brand back in the day, Heart of the New West.

He asks why the city has to spend a bunch of money "trying to rebrand and run away from who we are."

He says the $4.8 million was "unnecessary spending."

And besides …

"What are we apologizing for? We're a wide-open welcoming city.

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"To me, it sounds a little woke."

As for the brand deemed to be out-of-date by the out-of-touch people who think they know Calgary better than the rest of us, McLean likes the word "energy" and says this city has lots of it.

"Energy could be anything. We're full of excitement and energy and booming. That's what I want to portray. I love Be Part of the Energy.

"To me, that was solid."

The premier has spoken with many potential investors.

Has she run into anybody who walked away from investing because Calgary was an oil and gas city or was not inclusive enough or had a Be Part of the Energy brand?

Smith offers a very short answer.

"Not once yet."

rbell@postmedia.com

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