For some time I have wondered if we get the maximum benefit of the naming of individual exhibits and animal accomodations at our zoos and aquariums.
Coming from a marketing background, I cannot help but see each exhibit as (amongst many other things) a product offered to the consumer in competition with others. From this perspective a huge amount of thought might look to ‘add value’ and to beneficially ‘package’ the contents. What are some of the different ways in which this can happen? I am going to take these from zoos I know best, so excuse the biais.
“The Lions” ( more or less any zoo): well, you get what is says on the tin!
“Islands in Danger” ( Chester): the title conveys a specific conservation message and educational theme
“Bugs” ( London – used to be “Web of Life”) the exhibit is cleverly marketed towards a specific target
The name might also of course be used to honour a donor or accredit a sponsor.
Does anyone out there have further examples of making something extra out of an exhibit title?
John
