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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

 

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