Branding an Embassy or International Office in Tanzania

An embassy or a delegation is a client with a protocol, a security requirement and a brand standard that is set in another capital. The signage is visible to the public, the printed material is used in official correspondence, and the supplier is expected to be discreet.

The security is the first constraint. A supplier's crew may need a background check, an escort and a restricted access permit. The site visit may be limited to a specific area, and the photographs may be restricted. The supplier should accept the constraints without negotiating them.

The protocol is the second. A crest, a flag, a official name and a form of address have rules, and a supplier should not interpret them. The artwork should be supplied by the mission, and the proof should be approved by the person who owns the protocol.

The material is the third. An exterior plaque, an interior sign and a printed folder are different products, and each has a standard. The exterior plaque should be bronze, brass, stainless steel or a coated aluminium that suits the building, and the interior signs should match the mission's design.

The procurement is the fourth. A mission may be required to obtain three quotations, to use a framework contract or to follow the procurement rules of the sending state. The supplier should be able to provide the documents, the tax registration and the bank details in the required format.

The discretion is the fifth. The supplier should not photograph the site for a portfolio without permission, and should not disclose the client in a reference list. The work is a reference in itself, and the mission's privacy is part of the service.