Nothing signals spring like the blossoming and blooming of our natural habitat, and we fell in love with this simple-yet-coruscant content strategy perfected by the gorgeous, historic, landscaped garden district known as University Circle in Cleveland, OH. And for more urban districts, the early sights of blossoms poking their wee heads and pips outta the ground can be a creative and effective counterbalance to the hubbub of crowded streetscapes and honking automobiles. Something as tiny as a pocket garden, or even window boxes along merchant façades will bring a smile to even your most jaded, heads-down constituents. Full disclosure: UCI is a client of ours. We recently wrapped a strategic initiative with them and wanted to share the thoughts and insights of their Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, Heidi Hudak. (Scroll to the bottom)! Looking for whipsmart strategic help of your own? Hit us up, and let’s chat!
Photo credit: University Circle, Inc./Heidi Hudak
We ❤ data! Admittedly, we dork out on data, statistics, numbers crunching, and data analysis. It’s in our DNA. But different types of people perceive the world differently, so it’s important to remember that effective messaging and communications go way beyond lists of stats, or simply clever copy. Some folks are visual learners, so when communicating your org’s efforts and successes, infographics are an effective way to share information in digestible chunks to different types of thinkers, readers and audiences. Case in point, we worked with the Downtown Tempe Authority again this year on their award-winning Tempe Blooms event, and once again, we blew it outta the water. Using our vetted POSTR process as the primary planning methodology for Tempe Blooms, we were able to surpass the district’s quantifiable objectives AND tell an amazing story after the fact. How would your district like an additional 82,000 in footfall over two days — or nearly $2.2MM in sales with your ratepayers? The answer is easy if you know who to contact! 😘
… that the nighttime economy is often left out of the conversation when it comes to the 15-Minute City concept? And while every city is looking for additional roads to recovery, night mayors and planners should put their heads together like chocolate + peanut butter because the outcomes can be seriously scrumptious. Many sums are greater than their constituent parts, and this example-rich write-up from Cooperative City cites multiple elements that can make for a delicious night out — if the stars align, or you can catch a train home after the fiesta, that is. We can all take a cue from Downtown San Francisco’s new “Entertainment Zones“, and how the org is activating them after hours as a glowing testament to round-the-clock district recovery.
Photo credit: Downtown SF Partnership
Have you been called “judgey”, but really you’re just discerning? Put your powers of propriety to good use and become an NEA Panelist! The National Endowment for the Arts doles out a lotta clams each year in grants, and they’re looking for volunteers to help steer the allocation of funds. Best of all, you needn’t be an expert in the arts. Every panel includes a layperson – someone knowledgeable about the arts but not engaged in the arts as a profession either full- or part-time. The NEA relies on panels composed of individuals who represent a broad range of viewpoints and is also interested in boosting the number of panelists from areas that typically have had fewer panelists, including Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wyoming, and U.S. jurisdictions. See what it takes and throw your name in the hat today!
We often say, “Your brand isn’t what you say it is, it’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room,” and in this scenario — there’s not even a room involved! We were tickled to meet this Eastern Redbud named Rodneyfrom Toronto, CA. This branchy, blossom-loaded youngster became an internet sensation with nearly 200 Google Reviews and a net rating of 5/5 on Google Maps. And like many viral web celebs, the humble tree has inspired tourists, foot traffic, and even prose in his honor. Got any local, indigenous flora to flaunt in your district? We’d love to hear all about them!
“Bright Brothers is wonderful to work with, from beginning to end. They took their time in Cleveland, touring our district, meeting our staff, experiencing our restaurants, museums, and nightlife, and talking to those living and working in our community. They asked meaningful questions and really listened to the responses without judgment or assumptions. Their response, turnaround time, and overall work product is quick, efficient, and accurate,” — Heidi Hudak, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer, University Circle, Inc.
