Downtown Ambassadors Farmers Market
Explore the More

Bubbles Popping Up in Downtown Jacksonville

Downtown Vision, Inc. Launches Explore the More Campaign

Downtown Vision, Inc. (DVI), Downtown Jacksonville’s Improvement District, announced the launch of a public education campaign, explore the more, at the annual meeting Thursday, October 15, 2009. The goal of the campaign is to engage people with Downtown and encourage them to explore all that Downtown Jacksonville has to offer, including its history, culture, parks, riverfront, dining, nightlife and events.

Workers, visitors, and residents will see campaign “bubbles” popping up in storefronts, windows, and along the sidewalks in Downtown’s Improvement District. The bubbles are made of a temporary, outdoor-adhesive material.  Many of the bubbles are customized and the messages range from fun facts and history to way finding signage and Downtown’s mobile website, DTJAX.org. The tone of the campaign is designed to be conversational and whimsical.

“The bubble concept of the campaign is an ideal way to deliver a variety of messages to all of our constituencies and at the same time have some fun,” said Terry Lorince, executive director.

Downtown merchants have a voice in the campaign, with a customized static cling bubble for their storefront windows. The window bubbles take on the same light-hearted tone and may highlight the building’s history and the merchant’s product or service. For the campaign roll out, 50 Downtown merchants and venues have signed on to participate.

The campaign is Downtown Vision’s largest partnership to date involving property owners and street level retailers to engage a variety of audiences. The campaign’s timing is ideal, with numerous Downtown events scheduled that will put thousands of pedestrians on the streets during the next few months. 

"This initiative is about creating a sense of community for Downtown as a neighborhood,” said Jay Southerland, Downtown Vision, Inc. Board chair. “At the same time, we are able to collectively promote businesses during this challenging economy and ultimately generate some new energy for Downtown.”

The grassroots campaign will also leverage social media to create interactive opportunities for the community through DVI’s Facebook and Twitter networks in the coming weeks. Downtown retailers and restaurants will have promotional opportunities in the online contests.  

“I think this idea is amazing and I love all of the things people can learn about Downtown,” said Janice Dailey, director of sales and marketing, Crown Plaza Jacksonville Riverfront.

Other campaign elements include parking meter wraps with Downtown Jacksonville’s mobile website, DTJAX.org, which has a directory of all of the restaurants and merchants in Downtown, connects to Google maps, and includes a current calendar of events. Property owners will also receive a new brochure for Downtown Jacksonville and the services of Downtown Vision to use in their marketing and leasing efforts.

Contact Us:

 

Note: The campaign is funded by commercial property owners in the Downtown Improvement District (Prudential Drive to the south, Broad Street to the west, Church Street to the north, and Market Street to the east).