The logical flaw underlying most of these "anti-marketing" posts is to
assume that if a name is used in some entity's marketing, therefore that
name is *only* marketing. It's like saying, because the Philadelphia
Phillies use the name "Philadelphia" in their marketing, therefore
"Philadelphia" is a marketing tool. Or, because "The Green Line" is used by
a café, that means the name has "become a brand". This is true but, in the
context of our discussion, only in a trivial and misleading way.
As earlier posters pointed out, *all* urban names begin as marketing. All
cities are built, then marketed and sold. Most name changes, which are also
built into city life, represent somebody's effort to repackage an area. So
the discovery of Marketing in urban real estate names is a duh! discovery
that really tells us nothing.
More importantly for political purposes is whether a name catches on with
the public. In order words ... did the marketing work? If it did, then it
must have met a popular need. If it didn't ... where are the Edselvilles of
yesteryear?
As of 2006, "University City" is obviously being used by the public. There
is good evidence, in fact, that the information-seeking public (as opposed
to the sticker-printing public) prefers it to "West Philadelphia" as a
community name.
The June 2006 Verizon White Pages lists 23 separate entities that use the
phrase "West Philadelphia" as part of their names. But only 6 of them are
within the generally accepted boundaries of University City (say, Spring
Garden to 42nd to Market to 52nd to the EPTA tracks to the Schuylkill).
The same edition lists 15 separate entities that use the phrase "University
City" as part of their names. Of these, 14 actually lie within our
community.
Regardless of its origin, then, University City exists and is well known
today. There is no law against anybody's using it in their marketing.
-- Tony West
Wilma wrote:
I believe the name University City was first bandied about in the early
70's
and not the 60's. Also Powelton Village and Sansom Village (remember
that?).
It helps to have grown up here.
University City has become a brand now promoted by the UCD. This is true.
----
You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the
list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see
<http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
