Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
For the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau we worked closely with their organization’s leaders and marketing committee to create a marketing campaign that differentiated quaint Sonoma Valley from well-known Napa Valley.
Challenge
When people worldwide think of California wine, the place that first pops into their mind is Napa, even though the Sonoma name is nearly as well-known. Both valleys offer excellent wines, restaurants and wine country experiences. However, being less famous, Sonoma Valley has retained more of a boutique, family-run winery culture and bohemian style that makes it very unique. The problem the SVVB had was how to promote it Sonoma so that it was instantly understandable and distinctive.
Solution
Based on work the marketing committee had already completed, we developed a brand strategy that emphasized family wineries, bohemian-chic style, authenticity and accessibly to local proprietors -- whether they were winemakers, chefs, artists, shopkeepers or B&B owners. Collectively we dubbed it “Real wine country” and then proceeded to create a look and feel that fit the slogan.
Over the several years we worked with the SVVB and their graphic style evolved collaboratively with Belle Creative into a consistent theme based on locally-inspired visual elements. Most notably, the brown framing and bold blocks of orange and pale yellow on their website was derived from local weathered fences, rusted signs, red barns and adobe homes. Bold fonts similar to the fire-branded logos on oak barrels were also adopted for both legibility and their “hand-crafted” style.
The range of work completed spanned strategic planning to designing and production management for projects including:
Now, the Sonoma Valley has a brand and personality that’s unique among it’s California brethren. As a result, the Valley has seen continued growth in visitors and tourism revenues – despite the recent recession.
Challenge
When people worldwide think of California wine, the place that first pops into their mind is Napa, even though the Sonoma name is nearly as well-known. Both valleys offer excellent wines, restaurants and wine country experiences. However, being less famous, Sonoma Valley has retained more of a boutique, family-run winery culture and bohemian style that makes it very unique. The problem the SVVB had was how to promote it Sonoma so that it was instantly understandable and distinctive.
Solution
Based on work the marketing committee had already completed, we developed a brand strategy that emphasized family wineries, bohemian-chic style, authenticity and accessibly to local proprietors -- whether they were winemakers, chefs, artists, shopkeepers or B&B owners. Collectively we dubbed it “Real wine country” and then proceeded to create a look and feel that fit the slogan.
Over the several years we worked with the SVVB and their graphic style evolved collaboratively with Belle Creative into a consistent theme based on locally-inspired visual elements. Most notably, the brown framing and bold blocks of orange and pale yellow on their website was derived from local weathered fences, rusted signs, red barns and adobe homes. Bold fonts similar to the fire-branded logos on oak barrels were also adopted for both legibility and their “hand-crafted” style.
The range of work completed spanned strategic planning to designing and production management for projects including:
- Marketing strategy
- Brand strategy
- Market research
- Identity development
- Collateral materials design
- Visitor Guides
- Maps
- Websites
- Email marketing programs
- Promotions and contests
- Media planning
- Print advertising
- Radio advertising
- Online text and display advertising
- Social media marketing
- Signage and outdoor advertising
- Interior design
- Product and merchandise design
Now, the Sonoma Valley has a brand and personality that’s unique among it’s California brethren. As a result, the Valley has seen continued growth in visitors and tourism revenues – despite the recent recession.
The SVVB’s 80-page visitor guide.
Page 1 of the 30+ page website covering everything Sonoma, including a local business directory.
One of many online and print ads.
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