By Patrick Crowley
Enquirer staff writer

COVINGTON - A new effort aimed at branding and marketing Greater Cincinnati could help the Newport Aquarium with a mild identity problem.

Community, business and political leaders gathered Thursday morning in Covington in an attempt to figure out new ways to promote the region.

The Newport Aquarium welcomes the effort because some potential visitors think the attraction is in Oregon.

"The Oregon Coast Aquarium is in Newport, Oregon, so you can see how people might be confused," said Jill Isaacs, the aquarium's spokeswoman.

"This is a good first step," she said of Thursday's session. "We brainstormed about the strengths and weaknesses about Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky."

Work on the branding project has been going for several months. Thursday's meeting was the first in Northern Kentucky.

Cincinnati USA Partnership, a coalition of groups working to improve economic development in the region, is coordinating the project.

"A brand is really a promise of quality and consistency," said Steve Stevens, a vice president with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Stevens said the effort could involve new promotions geared at bringing visitors and new business to the area.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com