Walton County Tourism is excited to unveil the new brand for Walton County north of the Choctawhatchee Bay – Authentic Walton. The project followed a multi-step branding process involving stakeholder research, ideation, trademark search and adoption. We appreciate all who participated in the brand positioning study as the findings directly informed the strategic direction for the brand. Authentic Walton encompasses what was uncovered in the surveys as what makes our area so unique – traditional values, welcoming sense of community, genuine and true to its roots.
Walton County Tourism staff members joined with Walton County Commissioners during the brand reveal at the Best Western Crossroads Inn in DeFuniak Springs: Nicole Barefield Everett, Kory Rogers, Lisa Bulriss, Kelli Carter, District Two County Commissioner Danny Glidewell, Lisa Foster, District One County Commissioner William "Boots" McCormick, Ashlyn Temples, Matt Algarin, Summer Padgett and Darrelesha Kelly.
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SWGB
I proudly live in unauthentic Walton. LOL
Beach Fanatic
I proudly live in unauthentic Walton. LOLYou must live IN 30a. lol
That's like people who live in Orlando saying they live IN Disney.
SWGB
You must live IN 30a. lol
That's like people who live in Orlando saying they live IN Disney.
Proudly north of 98.
SoWal Insider
Matt is more authentic than me. I not only live IN 30-A, I live in the southern sub-county of 30-A. I guess I must be fake. 
Beach Fanatic
Not south of 30a. Does that count?
SoWal Insider
I live in Miramar Beach and neither Sowal nor Nowal claims us. We’re viewed as Destin Adjacent.
I guess we are No Wal.
I guess we are No Wal.
Beach Fanatic
#81
Late afternoon of Dec. 5, at the Best Western Hotel in DeFuniak Springs a special announcement was presented by Kelli Carter, Director of Marketing, Walton County Tourism.
The Tourist Development Council (TDC) assessed that the “Beyond the Beach” slogan did not fully embrace the qualities of the northern Walton County region. Recognizing its historic places of Old Florida, such as DeFuniak Springs and Freeport, the natural wonders as pristine waters of Morrison Lake or outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and water sports, these are “Authentic” experiences when visiting Walton County.
Based on analysis from respondents through firm Downs & St. Germain Research and the creative solution from Zehnder Communications:
This pleasing logo supports the new theme: Authentic Walton.
In the media information packet, pictorial examples of advertising and branded merchandise featured this new logo and tag Authentic Walton. This circular logo stands apart and contrasts to the square logo identifying South Walton. Additionally, an analysis of visitor trends focusing on North Walton County began in August 2023 and will culminate in August 2024. At that future time, there will be an updated analysis.
Beach Fanatic
Well, south of the bay WAS in Washington County until roughly 110 years ago. "Authetic" is pretty bad. "Original" would have been better.
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