• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Visit Sarasota County goes beyond the beach with new ad campaign

Visit Sarasota County revealed its new brand campaign on Jan. 18 at Michaels on the Bay.


  • By Anna Brugmann
  • | 6:00 p.m. January 19, 2017
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Visit Sarasota County, the official marketing arm of Sarasota county, is emphasizing the slower side of Sarasota in its new ad campaign. 

After launching in late 2016 in test markets around the country, Visit Sarasota County revealed the new brand to community members Jan. 18 at Michaels on the Bay. 

The ads show people lounging near the beach or boating on the bay, coupled with copy that reads "Vacations here are better at idle speed," and "Drifting away actually brings you closer." 

Visit Sarasota County Vice President Erin Duggan said the ads reflect the results of market research. According to the research, visitors said Sarasota's slow pace and coastal vibe set it apart from other locations. 

"When people are here, they feel at ease," Duggan said. 

Visit Sarasota revealed their new marketing campaign Jan. 18 at Michaels on the Bay.
Visit Sarasota revealed their new marketing campaign Jan. 18 at Michaels on the Bay.
Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Past Chairman Michael Klauber, Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley and Visit Sarasota County board member Nick Mavrikas
Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Past Chairman Michael Klauber, Visit Sarasota County President Virginia Haley and Visit Sarasota County board member Nick Mavrikas
Seana Mincy, Sarah Huffman, Pam Lalor and Jonathan Kilduff
Seana Mincy, Sarah Huffman, Pam Lalor and Jonathan Kilduff
Robert Wells, Jessica Tyre and Michael Ridgewell
Robert Wells, Jessica Tyre and Michael Ridgewell
Somer Robertson, Tim Cincotta, Nancy Lavick, Eddie Kirsch
Somer Robertson, Tim Cincotta, Nancy Lavick, Eddie Kirsch
Martha Wells and Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Pete Nordon
Martha Wells and Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Pete Nordon
Sam Lowry, Anna Foster, Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Chairman Drayton Saunders
Sam Lowry, Anna Foster, Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Chairman Drayton Saunders
Andrea Hunt, Sandra Rios and Lynn Bates
Andrea Hunt, Sandra Rios and Lynn Bates
Phillip Downs and Lynn Bates
Phillip Downs and Lynn Bates
Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Past Chairman Michael Klauber, Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Chairman Drayton Saunders and Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Secretary Steven High
Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Past Chairman Michael Klauber, Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Chairman Drayton Saunders and Visit Sarasota County Board of Directors Secretary Steven High
Andrea Hunt, Shantel Norman, Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman and Susan Phelps
Andrea Hunt, Shantel Norman, Sarasota City Commissioner Susan Chapman and Susan Phelps
Rep. Wengay Newton, Bib Kirscher, Pam Kirscher, Nancy Taussig and Dwayne Mallory
Rep. Wengay Newton, Bib Kirscher, Pam Kirscher, Nancy Taussig and Dwayne Mallory
Creative Director Neal Alfano and Randi Donahue
Creative Director Neal Alfano and Randi Donahue
Liz Sandburg and Visit Sarasota County Vice President Erin Duggan
Liz Sandburg and Visit Sarasota County Vice President Erin Duggan
Pepsi Freund entertained guests by doing a live painting at the event.
Pepsi Freund entertained guests by doing a live painting at the event.
Jill Luke and Robin Carmichael
Jill Luke and Robin Carmichael
Visit Sarasota County board member Kelly Dowd and Sarasota County Commissioner Mike Moran
Visit Sarasota County board member Kelly Dowd and Sarasota County Commissioner Mike Moran
Rep. Wengay Newton, Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines and  Dwayne Mallory
Rep. Wengay Newton, Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines and Dwayne Mallory

 

Latest News

Suncoast Waterkeepers regularly tests water quality at 12 sites in Sarasota Bay and its adjacent waters, including the Linley Street boat ramp on Longboat Key.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee bayside beaches graded for water safety
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now