Celebrating Anniversary of King County Logo by Exploring ways to Increase its Visibility

January 8, 2018

Summary

Council calls for Report on use of County Logo after 10 years

Story

In 2007, King County changed its logo from an Imperial Crown to the image of America’s foremost Human Rights Leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On the day the Metropolitan King County Council proclaimed January 2018 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Month in King County, members called for an assessment on the current use of the logo in county operations and communications and for strategies to increase use of the logo.

“It has been a decade since the introduction of the logo that made it clear King County was named after the American who gave his life trying to create the ‘Beloved Community,’” said Councilmember Larry Gossett, sponsor of the motion and one of the leaders in the effort to replace the crown logo with a likeness of Dr. King. “In 2007, there was a commitment to phase in the logo and to proudly display it throughout the county. After a decade, it’s time to make sure that has being done and what steps can be taken in the future to continue expanding its use.”

When the Council adopted the legislation for the new logo, it called for the County Executive to inventory where the old county logos existed, develop a phase in schedule for the new MLK logo, and transmit guidelines for graphic standards and for the use of the new logo. This information has not been updated over the last decade, and the 2007 guidelines did not include guidance on electronic communications such as e-mail and social media.

The adopted motion calls for a report from the County Executive on the current use of the MLK logo, updating the guidelines to reflect the increased use of electronic communication, and recommend strategies for increasing use of the logo.

The report is due to the Council in July 2018.