Lead the reinvigoration of the CVB's approach to engaging its core audiences.
Through an active and rewarding partnership with the CVB team, together we created more engaging and innovative design approaches on all of their materials and in their own thinking toward engagement.
While St. Cloud's accessible location statewide is of no contest, its surplus of centrally located amenities and venues citywide is less known. With the Mississippi River as its backdrop, St. Cloud's key selling point to its most profitable audience of event planners is threefold: convenient location statewide and within the Upper Midwest; ease of access for event-goers to amenities; and the bonus stunning views of the Mighty Mississippi. The concept here is familiar. If you've ever purchased a house, you're looking for similar appeals: a quiet location, perhaps; quick access to the interstate; and, of course, beautiful views.
This focal piece for event planners consolidates all must-know and compelling information about hosting an event in the city.
In 2013 I was asked to re-envision from scratch the cover of the visitors guide. Given the theme of promoting the Mississippi River in St. Cloud as a destination, I honed in on a creative direction, which I coined "imperfectly perfect moments." Together with my team we selected a stretch of the river most likely to draw those seeking outdoor adventure. The ensuing photoshoot led to several great scenes, but it was the last shot of the day that impressed us most. We led with this real moment between a couple right at sunset, which I amplified for the cover through attention to every detail of the photo including the final headline, "jump in," and the strategic placement of the church steeple to communicate that this spot on the river is actually right in the middle of the city. To finish off the cover, I re-invented how the masthead and year were displayed. I also was instrumental in leading the simplification of the cover by removing extraneous details and focusing on the draw of the cover on the rack. For the 2014 cover, the client elected to chose another photo from the same photoshoot.
The CVB asked me to design a website and materials for a "selfie photo drive." Knowing people are hit up online constantly for this, I developed the concept into something more meaningful. The #StCloudSelfie campaign ultimately grew into a website offering self-guided tours for trending topics such as beer, where we simultaneously encourage people to submit photos at these sites. Shared photos then stream automatically onto the site.
Balanced with a bit of levity, I developed the concept "you should be here," which reiterates St. Cloud's key selling point of "location, location, location," in addition to handling the design of each piece.
Balanced with a bit of levity, I wrote headlines that reiterate St. Cloud's key selling point of "location, location, location," in addition to handling the design of each piece.
/ interjection / scandinavian
1 You’ve just taken in a lot! Some would call it “the end.” I, however, call it “the beginning” — perhaps of something beautiful. Let’s find out together.