Leader: ‘Successful strategy vital for the Capital’

MANY people will read with alarm about the row over Marketing Edinburgh’s latest campaign to draw visitors to the Capital. Senior councillors and officials are unhappy about the word-play slogans chosen to promote the city and sources have warned the future of the council-owned, arms-length marketing company is in doubt.

Whatever one might think about the controversial straplines – “Incredinburgh” has now been dropped, but others will still be used – and whatever the rights and wrongs of the dispute between the council and the company, there is a more serious issue here.

A successful promotional strategy is vital for the future of the city. Edinburgh has to operate in a competitive environment and, despite its manifest attractions, cannot take anything for granted.

There is a real danger for the city in having splits and divisions over the correct way forward. It is essential that all those with the Capital’s interests at heart pull together to ensure Edinburgh succeeds.

Marketing Edinburgh was formed by the merger of three other organisations – Destination Edinburgh Marketing Alliance, the Edinburgh Convention Bureau and Edinburgh Film Focus – to create a united front in promoting the city.

It now looks as if that is not the way it is working. If the differences and tensions are allowed to persist, that will lead to paralysis. All those involved must work together to solve the problem and bring some clarity and dynamism to the task of promoting the city.

Foul play

IT has been a bad week for festive traditions in the Capital. First Jenners has given Santa the sack because it does not have space for him in its redesigned toy department.

Now the New Year derby is off as well – at least in the form that 
generations of football fans have grown to love it.

This year’s clash will take place on a Thursday night after most supporters have gone back to work rather than on either of the two bank 
holidays.

Hundreds of “ex-pat” fans who will have been hoping to catch the match during a trip home from England or futher afield are among those who will lose out.

Football fans have grown used to playing schedules being messed around to suit the needs of the TV broadcasters who help pay the clubs’ bills. Hearts and Hibs are probably 
as frustrated by this as the fans themselves. But even by these standards destroying one of the fans’ best-loved traditions is a spectacular own goal.