On 16th June 2016 I had the following short article published in The Journal, the biggest business newspaper in the North East of England.
My original submission to The Journal ended with a call to action where readers could visit this blog to find out more about what I was proposing but this was missed off the final printed version. So, here’s what I’m suggesting which has got a very positive response from people who have read it and seen it on social media…
The potential campaign slogan / place marketing strapline I’ve proposed is:
North East England:
Inventing the Future
And on social media, I’ve been asking people to start using the hashtag #InventingTheFuture and/or #ThisIsMINE (as in ‘This Is Made In North East’) when sharing photos of things that show what an innovate region we are or which they’ve made, both physical and digital.
In order for this to work, the campaign needs to be community-driven, grassroots-led and adopted by the people for the people. I don’t want any money for this myself but am looking for some partners or sponsors to provide some funding that can be used to pay some North East artists and designers to interpret the slogan and turn it into a more visual format that can be used online and on printed formats.
If you like the slogans and hashtags above, please feel free to start including them on your presentation slides, marketing materials, blogs and social media updates e.g.
From the world's 1st lightbulb to tech startups, pioneers have been #InventingTheFuture in Newcastle for centuries https://t.co/TgIRzMRrou
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) June 2, 2016
And if you’re an artist or designer, I’d love to see how you can include the slogans and hashtags in your work so please email examples to me at [email protected] or Tweet me @lordlancaster
Take a look at the Storify blog ‘North East: #InventingTheFuture‘ for some examples of things people have been Tweeting so far, including:
[VIDEO] World-class tech/digital innovation from the North East of England https://t.co/b0YZHp925c We're #InventingTheFuture + #ThisIsMINE
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 13, 2016
#InventingTheFuture with another awesome week of tech meetups @campusnorthuk! 😎👍 #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) pic.twitter.com/HbUfVdoAZW
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) July 11, 2016
Relocating to Berlin or London? Bet your day won't start like this. #ThisIsMINE @SarahStewartNGI pic.twitter.com/hvVEkoCMNo
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) July 6, 2016
'Great Exhibition of the North: #Newcastle and #Gateshead submit final bid to be hosts' https://t.co/xje2fkRm0L #ThisIsMINE (Made In NE)
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 5, 2016
Like bridges? Newcastle upon Tyne has been #InventingTheFuture of them for 100s of years! #ThisIsMINE (Made In NE) pic.twitter.com/KjbQf37Zj3
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) June 30, 2016
Tyneside offshore yard gets big investment to help it cope with oil crisis https://t.co/8lQz5yaemN #ThisisMINE (made in NE England) #subsea
— fiona whitehurst (@fionawhitehurst) June 23, 2016
#ThisIsMINE (Made In NE): From mechanical to software engineering, #Middlesbrough keeps #InventingTheFuture! 😎👍 pic.twitter.com/6miRHaCMt7
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) June 23, 2016
"North East: #InventingTheFuture" https://t.co/wC3UTjzmqB by @lordlancaster on @LinkedIn
Great idea Paul.#ThisIsMINE— Ann-Marie Smyth (@am_smyth) June 22, 2016
Transportation powered by electricity, 100 years ago in Newcastle https://t.co/oTgl6dUuDy #inventingthefuture
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) June 21, 2016
Fantastic @SunSoftCity video showing some of the awesome North East tech companies that are #InventingTheFuture > https://t.co/Pntuzx7cde
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) June 17, 2016
Pls RT: Why it's time to rebrand the North East of England https://t.co/fPfZxW1OSo #InventingTheFuture #ThisIsMINE pic.twitter.com/qMU7K21wqC
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) June 16, 2016
Newcastle's most beautiful street. Towers Ave, Jesmond, in August #ThisIsMINE @altweet_pet pic.twitter.com/xa7A0qSZNB
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) July 12, 2016
Newcastle-based FTSE100 @sageuk - #InventingTheFuture of business since 1981! #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) 😎👍🦄 pic.twitter.com/Y1uEpd4Dhx
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 12, 2016
#ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) > The beautiful Mowbray Park, Museum & Winter Gardens in sunny #Sunderland ❤️👍 pic.twitter.com/n5PqaaxMx2
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 12, 2016
#InventingTheFuture of the IT/tech/digital sector at Sunderland Software Centre! #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) pic.twitter.com/T1gcvBV5yC
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 12, 2016
Startups, freelancers & developers #InventingTheFuture @campusnorthuk Newcastle. #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) pic.twitter.com/XQj5U3ZcVu
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 12, 2016
How @CobaltPark became the largest business park of its kind in the UK https://t.co/UiJOLSwyUx #ThisIsMINE pic.twitter.com/C1Rn0UNwru
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 13, 2016
How #Middlesbrough-based @evaluagent is #InventingTheFuture of contact centres https://t.co/HvmH8CK68Y #ThisIsMINE pic.twitter.com/4vL57gsJMe
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 13, 2016
We're #InventingTheFuture of skills & talent recruitment with our #CareerHacker platform https://t.co/pwu0YpkqCe pic.twitter.com/rLZ6cYw0YZ
— GeekTalent (@GeekTalent) July 14, 2016
Newcastle's @campusnorthuk is #InventingTheFuture of tech & digital startups through collaboration & community https://t.co/dH2hnEhFTm
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 14, 2016
Iconic Newcastle - the City that invented so much of the modern age is'nt done with #Inventingthefuture . We love… https://t.co/0Qsum4GmK6
— IlesTours (@IlesTours) July 16, 2016
From the electric lightbulb to global tech co.s, #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) + We're #InventingTheFuture!🦄 pic.twitter.com/4620CHhQN5
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 19, 2016
Welcome to @NewcastleQuays(ide)! #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) 😎🍻👍 https://t.co/w2k4U0i8rx
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) July 19, 2016
Cragside - Technological Mansionhttps://t.co/v5xeNFEV5i#InventingTheFuture #ThisIsMINE #TotallyWired pic.twitter.com/FhXFszziIo
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) July 20, 2016
How North East entrepreneurs can take the lead, post-#Brexit > https://t.co/F2LqQC0NKi #InventingTheFuture pic.twitter.com/MmhGBGLibV
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) July 22, 2016
From the air it looks like a mouse with a Microsoft logo #ThisIsMine @MonkseatonHigh pic.twitter.com/uyUEXYrwau
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) July 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/lineandmalt/status/760616838942322689
Check out our 'Wake' titled 'North East: #InventingTheFuture' > https://t.co/oSO2J4Bu2R #ThisIsMINE (Made In NE) pic.twitter.com/uVImPHafOj
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 3, 2016
#InventingTheFuture + #ThisIsMINE
In 1823, the world's 1st purpose-built locomotive factory was est. in Newcastle! pic.twitter.com/68ds43oion— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) August 4, 2016
NE is shaking off low skills history 2 become thriving hub for professional & technical skills https://t.co/xHgeGc3gTn #InventingTheFuture
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/lineandmalt/status/761693533464133633
Brew over @quilliambros review on Tales of Yaya @SeeNewcastleUK @VisitNland @NorthEastLife https://t.co/rmjtgKv4zJ #ThisIsMINE #NE1
— Anya Gair (@anyaebgair) August 6, 2016
How the excellent Alison Shaw is #InventingTheFuture of healthcare, science & IT education @NEF_UTC in Newcastle https://t.co/OHtvNWjbmi
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 8, 2016
Newcastle's Swing Bridge is one of the most innovative & elegant examples of engineering in the world! #ThisIsMINE pic.twitter.com/RkJ2PgaxtN
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 8, 2016
Roger Thornton, the 'Dick Whittington of #Newcastle' & original entrepreneur! #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) 🙏👍🦄 pic.twitter.com/APblisogoc
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 8, 2016
Excited for future events after the success of first 2! Interaction Design Acociation in the North East of England #inventingthefuture #ixda
— IxDA North East (@IxDANorthEast) August 9, 2016
Robert Stephenson, the original #NorthernPowerhouse! 🙏 (#InventingTheFuture of transport from South St, Newcastle) pic.twitter.com/TxeweOypol
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) August 10, 2016
How #Newcastle-based @fit_gurus are #InventingTheFuture of the fitness industry https://t.co/KnCx3879tl @Bdaily 💪 pic.twitter.com/42CgTid8wK
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 12, 2016
Newcastle’s bloody brilliant free wifi shows London up https://t.co/MJPKobfX2P by @alexwoodcreates @TheMemo North East #InventingTheFuture
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 15, 2016
#InventingTheFuture: How Newcastle could become the tech angel of the North https://t.co/EGDiPthrl9 by @BCloudUK pic.twitter.com/amaV3HA2m3
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 16, 2016
#ThisIsMINE (Made In North East)
Newcastle United @NUFC 😎👍🙏🦄 pic.twitter.com/B41X2IDepQ— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) August 19, 2016
Very impressed with the high-spec workspace @OneTrinityGreen in South Shields! #TechNorth #ThisIsMINE (Made In NE) pic.twitter.com/guXVaExgio
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) August 23, 2016
Man, I love Newcastle & Gateshead so much! ❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️😍#ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) pic.twitter.com/q8f21h4o4E
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) August 23, 2016
This is why we exist & what we're focusing all our efforts on turning around! https://t.co/YBwwynzc0E (North East: #InventingTheFuture) 👊
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) August 25, 2016
Tours available daily with knowledgeable and passionate guides! https://t.co/mXn2eknbbm #inventingthefuture pic.twitter.com/OGptxAxkXe
— IlesTours (@IlesTours) August 24, 2016
We love Newcastle & Love showing it to you, Join us on a tour to discover more! https://t.co/GFyOWcL6pr #Thisismine pic.twitter.com/oLLdiJrGjg
— IlesTours (@IlesTours) August 24, 2016
Iles Tours - Showing you the past present and future of our region #Thisismine #Inventingthefuture pic.twitter.com/Tf4dr0r4Yc
— IlesTours (@IlesTours) August 25, 2016
John Gilroy from Heaton innovative Marketting for Guinness #thisismine @CEOblackswan #nefollowers pic.twitter.com/0rh83LIk94
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) August 27, 2016
North East: #InventingTheFuture + #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East)https://t.co/5h6GNH5ufa 👍
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) August 31, 2016
Why "I’m on a mission to promote the North East as the best place to start & grow a digital business" https://t.co/MKpcYuV7df #ThisIsMINE
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) September 1, 2016
Article by Paul Lancaster in today's Journal on addressing the NE young people IT brain drain is spot on @GeneratorNE @digiunion #ThisIsMine
— Elizabeth Rowan (@Elizrowan) September 1, 2016
Great to meet @lordlancaster and hear about promoting North East England #ThisIsMINE #InventingTheFuture
— Mark Thompson (@seghill9) September 5, 2016
Who'd like a #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) t-shirt? Register your interest at https://t.co/WtUngLPztT 😎👍 pic.twitter.com/Odp0OeYYZQ
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) September 6, 2016
Pls RT > 'Why #NewcastleGateshead and the #GreatNorthExpo2018 go hand in hand' https://t.co/7y0m9iLVnL #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East)
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) September 7, 2016
Proud of being born, raised or reinvented in the NE of England? Get your #ThisIsMINE t-shirt https://t.co/COTibKjCYe pic.twitter.com/fh1PC1V63H
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) September 7, 2016
'30 years of @NissanUK: How the Sunderland plant transformed the North East' https://t.co/QN0xV79rXy #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East)
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) September 8, 2016
We're backing #newcastlegateshead for #GreatNorthExpo2018 bid. Hop on board https://t.co/0qbaqsPgG6 #ThisIsMINE pic.twitter.com/JlGGhNRHrE
— Transmit Start-Ups (@TransmitStartUp) September 12, 2016
Who wants an awesome #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) sticker? (Logo by @LayersStudio & print by @startupstickers) pic.twitter.com/UJ4hgd2F8j
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) September 12, 2016
Handbag Clinic? Bet the Chelsea store doesn’t look as good at this! @HandbagClinic #ThisIsMiNE pic.twitter.com/hihRsCIXrG
— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) September 12, 2016
How Newcastle's entrepreneurs of the past are still inspiring us today! https://t.co/EY4LyYRN7Q #ThisIsMINE Pls RT pic.twitter.com/680ucCVIOE
— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) September 14, 2016
Just ordered our @KeyKeg filling kit #excitingtimes #ThisIsMINE #craftdraught 🍻
— Newcastle Brewing (@nwcstlbrewing) September 15, 2016
To Launch of our new Entrepreneurs of Newcastle Tour we have written a blog for England's North East https://t.co/dvy9kxo7zN #Thisismine
— IlesTours (@IlesTours) September 15, 2016
Save the Date >
Newcastle Startup Week
(15-19 May 2017)#InventingTheFuture#ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) pic.twitter.com/Igy63ZuEnM— Plan Digital UK (@plandigitaluk) September 16, 2016
Great to be back @SageUK HQ to talk about #InventingTheFuture, #ThisIsMINE (Made In North East) & Newcastle Startup Week in May 2017 pic.twitter.com/0oS1lC9kSL
— Paul Lancaster (@lordlancaster) September 19, 2016
Where is Art Deco Land?
Paris? New York? Valencia?
How about Tyneside?#ThisIsMiNE @watch_newcastle @NTCouncilTeam @NewcastleCC pic.twitter.com/UmwJlb7yNx— See Newcastle (@SeeNewcastleUK) September 22, 2016
Our first ever 20l @KeyKeg #newcastleipa #ThisisMINE pic.twitter.com/Zgj1yQfOZI
— Newcastle Brewing (@nwcstlbrewing) September 22, 2016
Major global initiative to deal with superbugs. Can NE healthcare scientists develop the solution? #thisisMINE see https://t.co/bZ5pimQkln pic.twitter.com/rXHTvKMmjN
— North East Futures UTC (@NEF_UTC) September 21, 2016
Newcastle Start Up Week announced @Dynamonortheast IT Hub launch @sageuk #thisisMINE @BalticTraining@plandigitaluk https://t.co/BDAf78Tj4G
— 2B (@2BComms) September 23, 2016