Business & Tech

Dunedin's 'Dun Our Way' Campaign to Roll Out

City leaders unanimously approved a final phase for launching Dunedin's "Dun Our Way" marketing campaign strategy across the Tampa Bay area.

"Dunedin: Home of Honeymoon Island" may soon show up on area billboards, social media and displays around Tampa Bay next year.

The advertising, aimed at tourists, is part of an extensive marketing campaign to being visitors to Dunedin for longer, overnight stays.

Dunedin commissioners unanimously approved the marketing strategy and Wilesmith Advertising's final recommendations for rolling out the city's branded "DUN OUR WAY" campaign. 

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Already the city's multi-colored, wavy-E logo and slogan appear on Dunedin's street banners, retail merchandise, signs, brochures and guides, employee uniforms and city vehicles, with more places yet to come this year, according to Wilesmith's marketing strategy.

The brand is also incorporated in the up-and-coming "Visit Dunedin" tourism website.

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Wilesmith, a West Palm Beach-based marketing firm contracted for $73,000 in April 2011, suggests that Dunedin employ the following in 2014:

  • Display advertising at Tampa International Airport: Would incorporate large backlit displays starting at $795 a month to $2,500 a month for a three-year term.
  • Billboard advertising at high-volume arteries: Would employ the "Dunedin: DUN OUR WAY" campaign, which can be changed and constantly refreshed based on season or upcoming events. The firm goes so far as to suggest a particular location on the east side of Whitney Road facing north, because it captures drivers from the airport and downtown Tampa. Cost is estimated at $24,200 for eight months (at $3,025 a month).
  • Social media marketing: The firm suggests more use of the city's YouTube channel for showcasing things to do, places to eat; a visitor-specific Facebook page for offering previews of top attractions and promotional contests; and Pinterest modeled after Visit Savannah's page. Each social media strategy would each best be handled by "Visit Dunedin," the firm suggests.
  • Mobile marketing campaign: would use text messaging, QR codes, a mobile-optimized website and city app to reach business and leisure travelers.
  • Continue developing special events: Wilesmith suggests establishing Dunedin as a culinary destination, develop an upscale food and wine festival or a cupcake event.
  • Continue establishing a brand ambassador program pamphlet: This would go to all representatives of the Dunedin brand.

Advertising costs would be covered by donations and grants obtained by Visit Dunedin.

Staff will also continue to explore options, cost and plans for beginning to market outside the immediate area after 2014, in what would be a third phase of the campaign.

Commissioner Julie Scales suggested city staff and Visit Dunedin turn to the Pinellas County Convention and Visitor's Bureau for what's being done already.

She said they are starting to "really enhance what they call, the 'neighborhoods in Pinellas County,' Dunedin being one of them."

She also pushed staff to identify the type of tourist the campaign would target.

"A pot of people may go to Clearwater for a week, ya know, if they come down here from the northeast. Is that really the type of visitor that's going to be coming to Dunedin to be spending a week? I don't know, but do we want that family or couple or whoever in Clearwater Beach that may want to do something else than be on the beach for six days," Scales said.

"Do we want them to be coming here and spending some time here? I mean, who we want to reach out to, I think, is going to be very important, because otherwise you're wasting money."

Related Coverage:

  • Wanted: Dunedin Businesses for Online Tourism Directory
  • Another Brand Design for City Leaders to Consider
  • New City Logo is Unveiled
  • City Moves Forward on Unified Brand for Dunedin

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