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Once again, Tampa is trying to define itself and develop a new slogan to help market the city.
As part of a survey delivered to community leaders, a firm asked: If you were to describe downtown Tampa as an animal, what animal would it be and why?
So now it’s your turn. Unleash the beast in you and tell us what type of animal downtown Tampa is and why.
Send your comments in the form below. Include your full name, email address and location so we can contact you. Some comments may be published on TBO.com, the Tampa Tribune and WFLA News Channel 8. Telephone numbers and emails will not be published.
If I were to give Tampa the name of an animal it would be a Skunk. This city stinks! It is so very far behind the times when compared to cities of similar size. It is old fashioned, its downtown and highways around it are clogged and hard to navigate, it has very poor services for poor and homeless people while catering to the wealthy.
I came to TAMPA as a teenager in 1942. Raised four children there. They left before I did in 1997. My only regret is
I did not leave sooner. Tampa; rotten politics, law breakers in city hall;
hey don’t worry about organized crime
when you have city officals to contend with. I left it for you to support it.
How many of you have noticed those buzzards cruising over downtown , city hall ? A regular sight, should make you wonder, or do you ever look up ?
It is time that the Tampa community realizes what all of our mothers must have told us at least once, “There is too much of a good thing.” Growth is great, but when there is so much that you start pushing out those who already live in your community there is no need to advertise for more people to move in. Tampa is a great place to live, lets keep that way, or soon it will be too worn out to take care of any of us - human or animal.
Just remember we are spending millions repairing the damage done by those who thought swamp land was wasted land. Now people are deciding that forested land is wasted land too. In a few years or decades will we be despartly taking down houses and trying to replant forest?
I think Tampa is the animal most like a skunk.This place is as dirty and nasty or worse than most big cities,
But it’s smaller.We need the chickens removed from YBOR (Bird Flu)
we need trash on the streets picked up and we need better regulations for the ports and oil refineries.
We also need to stop being lazy and get rt.4 complete.
I was born at Tampa General Hospital forty years ago, and have always lived in different parts of Tampa. The one thing I cannot seem to understand is Tampa’s employment industry. Why as Tampa is growing and so many people are migrating to this Bay area we are still number thirty in the United States Industry? Why is it that unless you are a Lawyer, Physician or own your own business it is tougher to have a higher qualilty standard of life, without of coars having to commute to the larger industry cities (ie, Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Texas, etc.)? Why is it that with so much development in downtown Tampa, it is still not safe to walk the streets in Downtown Tampa?
Hello,
I’m searching for a part of what I believe to be “Oak” Street in West Tampa, Florida.
I’m searching for a section of what was Oak Street that had a library on the corner, a church, and a cigar factory around 1914.
Do you know where this is? Do you know the name of the Cigar Factory that existed there at that time?
Thanks,
Mary
I have vacationed in Tampa for the past 7 years and love the city. Now I am ready to relocate to Tampa and have my own slogan about the area. Tampa - A Great Place To Call Home! The maccaw bird would reflect the diversty of the city.
I think the Parrot would suit Tampa perfectly, and I like the whole, “invasion of the pirates theme.†I’ll tell you one thing, rednecks and bull riding are on their way out! Try Texas Cowbow Dan. I think Tampa has a lot more class than pick up trucks and cattle drives. 
I agree with the Parrot. Besides it could be made into a “logo” that can easily fit in with the whole Pirate’s invasion theme. And the color should be a rainbow to symbolize diversity--that is if it passes the Rhonda Storms test. ~sigh~ 
I am amazed by the comments I’ve read praising the TampaBay area.
Tampa is the only city in FL that hasn’t made a real effort to “make itself attractive” to invite tourism.
While I would dislike being over-run with tourists, the beautification and improvements that come as a by-product of the effort to entice tourists to visit could be enjoyed daily by those of us who live here.
Making this city beautiful, safe and inviting are things that have been neglected since Tampa’s inception generations ago.
Since Most Tampans Nowadaze are Out-of-Towners, I recommend the SCARLET MACCAW for “Our Animal”..at least they got a HISPANIC Touch, bein’ from the Amazon, they’re COLORFUL, & always got a KIND WORD for STRANGERS. Slogans:
1) “Tampa: Where Every Out-of-Towner Gets a HAPPY HELLO” or 2) “Tampa: City of HAPPY HELLOS” Sincerely Submitted,
“TampaStan” Good.."Tampan" since 1973, whose Christmas CD, “GRANNY WANTS A HARLEY FOR CHRISTMAS” Premiers on the “Nancy & Mike Morn’g Show” MON.100.7FM
Tampa: WE HAVE IT ALL!
I just want to submit a slogan. LET TAMPA, PAMPER YOU!!!!
I’m thinking elephant. Large, adapting, full of life. Not to mention you can never forget Tampa after living here or visiting. You’ll always come back, just like their migration tendencies.
I moved to Tampa 10 years ago from the Northeast. When I first arrived, my most immediate perception of the city was a relationship with the image of the UT minarets. It’s my thinking I’m not alone and most people from elsewhere share this image of Tampa in their mind. Whatever branding is chosen, it should include the UT minarets in the background.
Reside in Tampa since 1989. Have been residing in Rome for three years. Due back in a few months. We have visited many cities in Europe. Many have names which inspire their city: Paris, the city of lights; Rome, the eternal city, etc. Tampa is visited and lived by many foreigners. We need to associate ideas with Tampa sending out a message to countries globally. The words bay, river and a catchy animal, would generate immediate responses worldwide.
1. Tampa: City by the River Hailed by the Bay. (here you can introduce dolphins, manatees, etc. swimming to the river and/or into the bay)
2. Tampa Bay: The South’s True City.
3. Tampa Bay: City of Art, Capital to All!
4. Tampa Bay: Florida’s answer to Living or Life!
There are so many good things about this area. The people, the sunshine, the water and just the way of life. Therefore, I suggest the slogan...."IT’S ALL GOOD”.
We liked the fish/fishing idea. There is the appeal for a “catch phrase” like “Get caught up in Tampa” with a corresponding fish (tarpon, etc.) theme....being caught, like we were when we moved to this city.
Tampa is definitely known as a vacation spot for the 20-30’s crowd. With Ybor, Channelside, and all the festivals directed at partying, I think the focus of the advertising should be at that target audience. Not sure an animal is the right thing for that - martini glass, cigar, maybe a mardi gras type mask.
I think the fishing, sparkling and pristine lakes, great beaches around housing communities in Tampa speaks of the words “Relax, Rejuvenate, and Retire Well.” These are definitely reasons for people to come over.
I have lived here for 15 years, but recently I received a crash course in politics here in Tampa. If they do something that they knew they did wrong, they will not take responsibility for it! They are also trying to make this into New York. They are doing a great job so far. Time to move! Be careful what you ask for.
The Great Blue and Great White Heron together. They’re both elegant and shown together they represent the diversity and tropical feel of Tampa.
They are also highly visible in the area as a constant reminder of the logo.
The grouper because they’re over fished and people could help protect them from dying off because they would be educated about them. And because they are excellent as fried sandwiches.
I think Tampa resembles an octopus. Its arms reach out to help everyone. If you’re wrong, the arms of law enforcement reach out for you. Tampa reaches out for our tourists, our local people, help for low income families, but always has one arm free to help someone. Tampa has grown a lot in my 45 years here and it will continue to grow such as the octopus with more reach and more help as it grows older and wiser. Thank you Tampa.
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Posted by Charlie MacMurray, Lutz on 08/18 at 06:18 PM
The slogan should be: Tampa...better than any other city in Florida!
WHY?
1) Miami is over the top greasy,sleazy and angry, and would be better off in Brazil.
2) Orlando exists only to bilke tourists’ money,and never reinvest any of it into roads or infrastructure.
3) Jacksonville...give me a break. Why is Jacksonville even there?
4)Sarasota and Naples: collectively known as “Bizarro World”. Both contain residents, most of whom have been dead for years, that are so rich that they have abandoned all sense of normal behavior. Why? Because they can.
5)Fort Myers - it’s just stripmalls.
6)Tallahassee should be annexed by Georgia and Pensacola should be annexed by the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico.