Yes, it's offficial! New Zealand Odysseys (your journey of discovery) is now rebranded Learning Journeys (education adventures in New Zealand).
Why? It's a long story: a move based on expert marketing advice and the need to make the company brand more distinctive. We do have a clearly defined niche (Making serious education outside the classroom fun for secondary students - and life-long learners who've never really grown-up). However not enough people knew about it to meet our targets for growth.
Part of the issue was that the old name, New Zealand Odysseys, doesn't really let people know what we do. Yes, it speaks of adventure and discovery, setting off into the unknown and meeting and over-coming challenges like Odysseus (Ulysses) in Homer's ancient greek "Odyssey". However, it doesn't clearly convey education in the sense of supporting class-room learning, though it does conjure up the wider benefits of education outside.
And, of course, the image is watered down by the fact that a drug rehabilitation centre here in New Zealand carries a similar name. There's also a model of car called the Odyssey. (No discredit intended towards the organisations involved!)
So Learning Journeys it is! The name felt right as soon as we settled on it. Thank you very much to the great team of clients and suppliers here in Tauranga who gave up an afternoon to join a focus group and give us their input.
If you'd like to read more about our activities over the past year have a look at some newsletters:
'At this point, I must thank you so much for the days we spent with you under the Odyssey's banner. Everything you did for us was excellent and the students derived so much from the activities. We all enjoyed meeting you, loved being with you and enjoyed working with you. I understand how groups can be and I am gratified that you found our group pleasant to work with. We thought you were so well organised, obliging and patient and your lessons with the girls were excellent.Thank you for taking us over the Tongariro Crossing - I never imagined it went up so high. Danielle and Andrew were also excellent guides. I hope we will bring another group in two years time and we will certainly organise whatever we can with you.'
Sue Miller, Mount St Benedict College, Sydney, Australia about a 5 day Chemistry/Ecology trip for year 12 students
