February 07, 2024
Refreshing a Master-Planned Community’s Brand Through the Eyes of Real Homeowner Stories
Discover a master-planned community that stands out in the heart of Florida, near the vibrant city of Naples. Ave Maria, proudly crowned as Southwest Florida’s Community of the Year for an impressive seven consecutive years, beckons with its unique blend of small-town charm and modern amenities.
Imagine a town that feels big in its offerings but retains the warmth of a close-knit community. Ave Maria boasts a bustling Town Center complete with a grocery store, an array of restaurants, and a diverse range of services and retail shopping experiences. What sets it apart? It’s a place where golf carts are not just welcome but encouraged, adding a distinctive flair to the community’s character.
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, Ave Maria doesn’t disappoint. With two championship golf courses, exceptional amenities that include a clubhouse and pool, water park, trails, fields and recreation facilities, and various clubs catering to diverse interests, the community is designed to elevate your lifestyle.
The community is also home to a state-of-the-art fire station and incredible education opportunities, including Ave Maria University, an accredited liberal arts school, the Ave international Pre-School and the nationally recognized Rhodora J. Donahue Academy for PreK-12 education.
One of the community’s proudest achievements is its commitment to conservation. Ave Maria pioneers the Rural Land Stewardship Program, preserving 17,000 acres in and around the community. This dedication to protecting natural resources and wildlife adds an eco-friendly touch to the area’s allure.
As you explore Ave Maria, you’ll find homes crafted by four premier builders, catering to various preferences and lifestyles. The real estate landscape offers a range of opportunities, with homes priced from the $200,000s to the $800,000s, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for everyone seeking a slice of paradise in this Florida gem.
The Challenge of a Brand Refresh
With so much going for it – a unique blend of community, modern amenities, natural preservation and beautiful homes – it seems unlikely that the community would need to consider a brand update. But the team behind Ave Maria felt differently and enlisted their long-time strategic partner, Milesbrand to help.
Founded in 2005, Ave Maria has undergone significant changes in its nearly 20 years of existence. The team had succeeded in its original daunting task of building a modern-day small town from the ground up, but felt that it was now time to tell the story of the place as it has evolved. What better way to do it than in the words of the people who take inspiration from it, and continue to build its legacy – as a big kind of small town.
Our creative team envisioned expanding on the established community brand promise by interviewing and incorporating inspirational stories from its residents. This is how Real Stories from A Big Kind of Small Town was born. After all, what better way to tell the story of Ave Maria than to do it in the words of the people who take inspiration from it, and continue to build its legacy. This included our creative team traveling to Ave Maria and conducting a week-long video and photo shoot with residents sharing their stories in the place they call home.
The Real Stories of Ave Maria campaign features multiple homeowners from all walks of life telling the story of how they found Ave Maria, and what made them fall in love with this community that is so unimaginably unique.
Branding and Marketing Elements
Milesbrand’s list of omni-channel marketing tactics implemented to tell the real stories of Ave Maria included:
Now that the Real Stories of Ave Maria campaign is in full swing, the Milesbrand team is working on a sales center redesign to be unveiled later this year.
Tell Your Master-Planned Community's Story Through a Strong Brand
Embark on the journey of transforming your master-planned community brand into a captivating narrative that resonates with potential homeowners. At Milesbrand, we embrace the art of storytelling through brand creation, creative placemaking and omnichannel marketing strategies. From cutting-edge digital campaigns to eye-catching billboard advertisements, thoughtful onsite monumentation, and captivating original photography, our team is dedicated to crafting the perfect blend of branding and marketing initiatives. To discover how we can elevate your community’s narrative and make it a success, reach out to us today and let’s start weaving your story into a fabric of excellence!
