IMBA's New Look

IMBA Trail News
Volume 17, Number 3
Late Summer 2004

What's the deal with the new IMBA logo?

We're shaking things up by giving IMBA a makeover. Look through this newsletter and you'll notice cool new IMBA logos, graphics, slogans and advertisements.

It's all the product of a new partnership with award-winning advertising firm Carmichael Lynch. Our goal: reach more people and build a higher awareness for IMBA.

You may know Carmichael Lynch for their work on Harley-Davidson - they've been the motorcycle company's agency for the past 25 years. They also produce distinctive ads for Porsche, great stuff for Northwest Airlines and dramatic TV spots for the American Stroke Association. Based in Minneapolis, this 270-person agency is recognized as one of the top advertising agencies in the world. They're donating almost all of their services.

Let's face it: describing IMBA's work in a compelling way is difficult. Advocacy, lobbying, land managers, environmental impact, government bureaucracy - not the stuff most mountain bikers want to hear about.

Today, as you read this, Carmichael Lynch's first round of efforts for IMBA is going public. Yes, it includes a new logo - a simple, strong image that we unveiled to positive reviews at the IMBA Summit in Washington, D.C. The new look also incorporates four symbols that concisely describe our work: Speak, Build, Respect, Ride.

Speak (for mountain biking). Build (trails). Respect (the environment and other people). Ride (our passion). That's what IMBA and our affiliated clubs do. It's strong. It's simple. Coupled with our new logo, new print ads and a new tag line (What would we do without trails?), we think Carmichael Lynch has performed outstanding work. Take a look at one of our new ads on the back cover of this newsletter and let us know what you think.

The true measure of IMBA's work is access - the availability of great trails to ride. We continually strive to do more to keep trails open to mountain bikers and to build new ones. That's our top priority.

But being able to put a fresh, new spin on our image is important, too. We need to catch the eyes of mountain bikers who are bombarded by advertising everywhere they go. This is a first step in getting riders involved in our movement and enlisting them as IMBA supporters. For mountain biking, more IMBA members means more clout and better riding.

Hope you like IMBA's new look!

- Tim Blumenthal