South Walton Branding

[mputnal]

Why fix something that is not broken? It cost a lot of money in researching a rebrand. BP broke our economy in 2010 and caused damage to many elements of marketing thus making the rebrand more "necessary". But for the spill our local economy would have rebounded in 2010 without changing a thing because we have a "special" place. I do not get paid the big bucks to figure out a marketing strategy but I am very sure that our pristine resources was being marketed by everyone who ever visited the Beaches of South Walton. So, my point is to "protect" our resource from the Gulf drilling monsters not promoting their culture of abuse which is what we are doing when you thank BP for "anything" or advertise their propaganda of good will.

For TDC to thank BP is counterproductive to the longevity of our coastal paradise. Once the money is all spent what then? Have we not learned that BP has used our paradise as a great experiment? One more massive oil spill like that and all the rebranding and marketing strategy will not bring tourist or anyone else to our local economy. We can recover from hurricanes but should we have learned anything from the Exxon Valdez? This should be a sensitive subject to all of us. I am having a hard time understanding why it is not.

 

[Bob]

Our government is bought and paid for. Next revelation please.

 

[buster]

mputnal3 I don't think we should have drilling in the gulf at all but I don't want prices to rise or throw people out of work. I'd rather invest in alt energy! Not sure how we can fly jets on solar though. We need radical investments in hydrogen or other clean abundant fuels.

As for the TDC, they have rules to go by and bed tax collectors to please who werent happy with the old brand and marketing. Competition is fierce and any extra money they get to promote the area is going to get thanks no matter the source. The TDC is not one or 2 people it is government working for business.

 

[mputnal]

There are criminal charges filed against BP because of clear negligence yet it is supposed to be okay to "thank BP"? For what? BP is trying desparately to buy themselves out of criminal charges. Am I the only one who understands this? If BP never drills another ounce out of the Gulf it will be better for jobs and our local economy. Florida did not have to go by BP rules. Florida could sue BP for a lot more than what they have received. Our governor and attorney general has instead plea bargained with BP/Feinberg for some money now. Bird in hand I guess. While that may be good for some businesses in the short term it will lead to more drilling in the Gulf. Maybe next time they will experiment a mile and a half below the surface ocean just in case we start to develop technology to regulate one mile below the surface (which we have no way of doing). Remember they have "dispersants" now to hide spills. The fact that we do not seem to be outraged regarding the end of those commercials speaks volumes about human nature's addiction to money. I do not know why we expect any better behavior from our politicians.

Leave off the ending of the commerical and it is very good. The new brand is not bad even though the font is hard to read. I am not complaining about the job our TDC's are doing. BP's rules are that they have to spend the money a certain way and with a BP good will association. I am complaining about that association. Someone could have said "NO" to the BP endorsement. Apparently no one did. Very sad. Even more sad is the fact that many in this forum feel like it is okay to thank BP.

I think I must be too old fashioned for this forum. Or, "what we have here is a failure to communicate"! Whatever it is I think it is time for me to keep my opinions to myself. I am sure that will be good news to some. "Live long and prosper" sowalians...Out

 

[Beach Runner]

I just took a photo of the last frame of a commercial in the Atlanta market. Aren't they just saints?

 

[Em]

There is a lot of difference between Florida getting BP money today and suing BP for even more money. Surely, you don't think there would be a big payout within the next 5 years if this went to court. The case wouldn't even see a verdict until far down the road and then there are appeals before there is a payout.

Yes, I too, dislike seeing any BP promotion on those ads, but I guess that people would also be unhappy if they found out BP paid for the promotions and without the BP logo, because they would think that there is a cover up BP being in bed with the states (or smaller entities).

To be fare, I haven't heard anyone praising BP in any capacity, even it is a public "thank you," for getting us the money for the ads.

Getting back on track, this thread is about the new branding for Visit South Walton, so let's try to keep the focus there. If you need to start a new thread on BP in order to share your thoughts, please do so.

 

[Jerry Lewis]

Right Murray - Dawn does look beautiful in that commercial and I would like to join her at Pompano Joe's for a frozen drink. But Rip Daniels in Mississippi looks like he knows how to party. Visit South Walton brand is working much better then the old one. I don't miss the umbrellas.

 

[Beach Runner]

I agree. Keep on thread. I really think I have undiagnosed ADHD. Please don't say that we all knew that.

 

[scooterbug44]

I just took a photo of the last frame of a commercial in the Atlanta market. Aren't they just saints?

I think it's a good thing those commercials don't air locally - I'd probably throw something at the TV if I saw that.

 

[Teresa]

I like the commercial, but wish BP did not have their logo at the end- they shouldn't get any promo or benefit from providing funds to our area to make up for the incalculable damage they have done.

I know what you are saying. Florida and local TDC's have formed a partnership with BP which is necessary for economic and environmental recovery - so I think working together is crucial. But, sometimes I get an icky feeling when reading about the governor or whoever - seeming to praise BP a little too much for my taste. Especially these days, when it seems major corporations are literally dictating our government and lives.

But, I understand that the partnership is important. As long as we get what we really need from it.

If you watch the weekly newsletters and fb for Visit South Walton, you will see that the TDC is working hard for the partners it represents - re-branding/marketing is a huge part of that effort just as it is in any kind of business. I believe they have listened to the community and I see a lot of energy going into marketing, promoting our beaches and much more about our community (ecotourism, businesses, arts & culture, etc), and providing wide access for the public in general.