MSSO Receives Large Grant to Rebrand Downtown

(MSSO) has received a $20,000 grant to be used for branding services for the downtown district and the Main Street South Orange organization.  The organization was one of two North Jersey Main Street communities selected as a recipient of the 2011 Digital Design & Branding Services Grant, a technical assistance grant offered by the New Jersey Dept. of Community Affairs’ Main Street New Jersey program.

“We have recruited an amazing team of volunteer stakeholders to serve as the Brand Steering Committee which includes South Orange business owners, a member of the governing body, and residents that have relevant work experience in advertising, sales and marketing, economic development, event planning and graphic design,” said MSSO Executive Director Carole Anzalone-Newman in a statement.

MSSO is working closely with Raymond Gonzalez and his team at ITO, Inc. in Somerville, NJ, the Main Street New Jersey provided technical consultants for 20-24 weeks to complete the large task of the Program/District/Community Website & Branding Service.

"We are thrilled about our collaboration. South Orange has many great assets and we look forward to delivering our best work for the community,” Gonzalez said.

In addition to branding the downtown, this grant will allow MSSO to rebrand itself as an organization.  MSSO is a non-profit, community-based volunteer organization working to revitalize downtown South Orange.  In 1991, it was designated as the longest-operating Main Street community in New Jersey.

“The results of this process will help MSSO to focus our marketing efforts to promote South Orange as a shopping, dining and entertainment destination while improving our results attracting customers and new businesses to South Orange,” said Anzalone-Newman.  “By the end, we will have a new look for the organization plus a comprehensive and flashy new website to promote the downtown – it’s very exciting!”