By Aimee Chanthadavong

Over 60 new images and seven retail industry video messages from Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is available to download for free for Brisbane CBD retailers to showcase that they are back in business, following the recent flood.

Brisbane Marketing conducted a post-flood photo shoot of the city for media and Brisbane’s CBD retailers and businesses to use across their marketing and promotional materials, demonstrating the city is getting back to business.

Brisbane Marketing’s CBD retail director Julie Turpie said that pictures are critical to Brisbane CBD’s getting back to business effort because they tell a thousand words.

“The world has witnessed the impact of Brisbane’s recent flood event through the media, and now we want to show the city’s economic resilience and entrepreneurial spirit in getting back to business,” Turpie said.

“Brisbane Marketing’s CBD Retail division is working with The City’s retailers to integrate the post flood images and the Lord Mayor CBD Retail video message in their own digital marketing channels, such as e-newsletters, websites and electronic direct mails.

“By working together on disseminating these visual assets around Australia and the world, Brisbane CBD’s reputation as a dynamic, vibrant and enterprising leisure precinct will be enhanced.

“As a new world city with strong global connections, it’s important that our interstate and international visitors, students and businesses see for themselves that Brisbane CBD is getting back to business.”

According Brisbane Marketing, visitors contribute significantly to CBD retail sales.

During the year ended September 2010, Brisbane averaged 5,220,000 domestic and international visitors, generating $3.6 million for the Brisbane economy (Tourism Queensland). Of the total $1.35 billion in CBD retail sales generated in 2008 (Foresight Partners), $511.34 million (37.9 per cent) was sourced from visitors.

Business can access and download free aerial shots of the Brisbane airport, Brisbane River, Port of Brisbane, Story Bridge as well as lifestyle shots of the Queen Street Mall and the Brisbane City.

The initiative is part of a long-term economic flood response strategy by Brisbane Marketing’s CBD Retail division, responsible with positioning, marketing and driving economic development for the city.

National Retail Association executive director Gary Black estimated the total lost revenue associated with the Queensland floods in the retail sector was approximately $300 million.