Walton TDC Presents New Branding

Yep...we all heard that gem from Mr. K last night!

I :wub: Mr. Kitty.

"Beach- it's what's for dinner."

Yum yum!

Do you really believe that? You should have learned by now that giving the government money to oversee something is like paying the fox to guard the hen house.

If you really have concerns about any matters, you should get involved.

Dang, you're right! I'm going to quit my job and start going to every one of the TDC and BCC meetings. How much does it pay?? :blink:

Try http://flvhosting.com/BSW-BRAND-PRESENTATION-BCC.pdf

just quickly scanned the presentation. I know from hearing from attendees that this outline does not contain a lot of information that was presented. To be fair, this outline provides the basic points of the project, but it is very incomplete and was used only for discussion of certain points.

I like portions of the South Walton Story - but still.. to each your beach just does not work. I hope they are still early in the process. I'm not concerned about ad campaigns, but I am concerned about the name we project - if it doesn't have the word Beach or Beaches, then we may as well be in South Walton, Idaho.

just quickly scanned the presentation. I know from hearing from attendees that this outline does not contain a lot of information that was presented. To be fair, this outline provides the basic points of the project, but it is very incomplete and was used only for discussion of certain points.

I like portions of the South Walton Story - but still.. to each your beach just does not work. I hope they are still early in the process. I'm not concerned about ad campaigns, but I am concerned about the name we project - if it doesn't have the word Beach or Beaches, then we may as well be in anywhere USA.

That is the PowerPoint that was presented - I was present at three meetings.

Does it included the 2 hour oral presentation given by LKM - no it does not.

There is one thing I am keenly aware of and that is that a viewer of a TV spot, internet ad - or a reader of a newspaper ad or magazine ad is not going to spend two hours listening to someone explain where South Walton is or what "To each, your beach" means or spend the time understanding that the words South Walton are in white type face to represent the sugar white beaches here or that they chose a script font because it had a "warm, Southern feel".

Will the finished product of their efforts look better than the mock-ups - I'm sure they will.

In this case "We Left Home Without It" or another way to say it might be "Where's The Beef".

"You can put lipstick and a pretty dress on a pig, but it's still a pig."

In a vein to try and be helpful, here are two ways you can learn more about what the TDC is doing online.

One is to visit their partners site: Beaches of South Walton Partners site

The second is to email them and ask to be included on their mailing list for the monthly e-newsletter (or view it online):

The Edge / Marketing Tools / TDC Research / partners / home april

Thank you Beachsio! this is the most useful information we have seen so far.

Finding info on Walton County TDC meetings is very difficult. Even this site (partners site) is limited, but it does include links to presentations/workshops - after the fact (even the April 13 presentation).

I checked on Walton County site and there are no links to TDC workshop or meeting schedules, as you might find on other County sites such as Pinellas County:
Pinellas County Florida, Tourist Development Council

While looking at Visit St Pete Clearwater, I was thinking that our situation (many communities) is not so unique. Many areas in Florida, such as Pinellas County, encompass a huge area with dozens of communities - all with unique attractions - that must be promoted. After taking a look at St Pete/Clearwater, it looks like they highlight and promote all the different and wonderful aspects of all of the communities, instead of branding it as one place. They have city life, many beach communities, museums, fishing and outdoors, tons of resorts and tourist attractions, and much more.

I think our situation is rather simple in comparison. Our area is uniquely wonderful in many ways - it should be an easy task to promote, with some fresh campaigns, and also targeting ecotourism, and highlighting beautiful features and unique towns. I am more convinced that our branding is in place, maybe it needs a little tweaking or updating. That is just me though.

I realize the one of the bullet points of this is that people don't know where they are. Is there anyway that could be expanded upon? I'm not too worried about someone staying in Dune Allen and not knowing that it's specifically called Dune Allen. I have a feeling this is the big issue and I don't feel that it's a problem to be putting over a million dollars worth of focus on. If someone is here and truly doesn't know what county they are in then it's a problem. I feel that there's some serious spinning of a survey/poll that isn't being revealed.

My exact sentiments. These people have already gotten here, somehow, they know they like it here. They know how to get back here. I think way too much focus on this branding concept, and not enough just plain old advertisement. I know that I live here, and only have basic cable, but I have never , not even once, ever seen a television advertisement for the beaches of South Walton. Am I missing something?

This is no worse than us spending hundreds of thousands of dollars putting flashing lights in the road and pedestrian crossings. Do you really think people do not cross streets in Atlanta?

This is no worse than us spending hundreds of thousands of dollars putting flashing lights in the road and pedestrian crossings. Do you really think people do not cross streets in Atlanta?

Based on their behavior, one WOULD think so.

If those street lights don't work we do not miss millions of dollars in sales tax, bed tax and gasoline tax and businesses do not close.

Those street lights do not work (and they never have). People don't use them.

I do believe safety programs are essential.
and I do not believe name calling or unconstructive criticism is helpful, respectful of anyone or necessary.

The TDC should use this photo and "SoWal, I do" for the tagline.

Anna Kinchen

Make checks payable to Buz Livingston

The following is a link to an interesting presentation on the issue of why people rarely get involved (especially early on) in community-affecting issues like the one being discussed here.

Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy | Video on TED.com

I like the demonstration of what would happen to a Nike ad if it were done in a typical government notice format.

I do not believe that "to each, your beach" is constructive, helpful, representative of this area, or necessary.