They say, Let the talented folks at Hornall Anderson keep your money (we assume the check’s already been cashed), but give us a shot at the library’s rebranding effort... we’ll do it for free.
They say, "Give us a shot at the library’s rebranding effort... we’ll do it for free." Kelly O

In an open letter to the Seattle Public Library published online this morning, a firm called Marketeering Group (never heard of them) offers to rebrand the library for free.

Here’s what we’re offering: let the talented folks at Hornall Anderson keep your money (we assume the check’s already been cashed), but give us a shot at the library’s rebranding effort. Sure, we’re comparatively small compared to a dual-name international agency, but with incredibly talented young Seattle residents on staff, we think we’d do a much better job helping define the future of the Seattle Public Library – and we’ll do it for free.

This is a clever and generous offer.

Obviously, it's designed to attract attention to Marketeering Group. And it has to be underlined that there's no way it would save the library any money. All the costs that push the potential rebranding effort toward that $2 million price tag would still exist if any rebrand happens—if anyone has to go out there and scrape the old logo off buildings and put up new ones.

But their take (not surprising from a brand agency) is that the rebranding effort makes sense. And they explain why. They just think what Hornall Anderson came up with is not good—I agree with them there. And they think the library paid way too much for the work that's been done so far.

As they put it, "The reason we started Marketeering Group is because we’re tired of watching overpriced agencies take advantage of Seattle small business owners and struggling institutions..." You can read their entire message to the library here.

As for the Board of Trustees' meeting on October 28 that will decide the fate of the rebranding effort, Rich is going to have details about that later today on Slog.