Apparently we have all heard of the YMCA (now The ‘Y’) but the YWCA doesn’t have the same impact and the organisation has just changed its name for the second time in 10 years - and this time to Platform 51; apparently to appeal to the 51% of the world’s population who are female?
The Young Women's Christian Association was originally founded in 1855 and opened a network of hostels for young women who were coming to London for the first time and for Florence Nightingale's nurses, en route to and from the Crimea. In 2002 it changed its name to YWCA.
As a marketeer I know very well that there are some things that should just be left alone. I still call Aviva, Norwich Union and Accenture, Andersen Consulting but I suppose if I was totally right then Brad’s Drink would never have become Pepsi-Cola. But many organisations (including some professional bodies) will freely admit that changing your name doesn’t always revitalise your fortunes. I doubt APA will be changing in the near future; unless Platform 51 start a trend and we adopt ‘Level 97’ to represent the 97% of PAs who are women.
Gareth, APA
The Young Women's Christian Association was originally founded in 1855 and opened a network of hostels for young women who were coming to London for the first time and for Florence Nightingale's nurses, en route to and from the Crimea. In 2002 it changed its name to YWCA.
As a marketeer I know very well that there are some things that should just be left alone. I still call Aviva, Norwich Union and Accenture, Andersen Consulting but I suppose if I was totally right then Brad’s Drink would never have become Pepsi-Cola. But many organisations (including some professional bodies) will freely admit that changing your name doesn’t always revitalise your fortunes. I doubt APA will be changing in the near future; unless Platform 51 start a trend and we adopt ‘Level 97’ to represent the 97% of PAs who are women.
Gareth, APA
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