The bacon-wrapped cheese log of campaigns.

RENO TAHOE USA

Client

Reno Tahoe USA

Services

Identity & Naming

Brand Strategy

Advertising & Conceptual Development

Marketing & Communications Strategy

Strategic Messaging & Positioning

Creative Production

Research, Measurement & Analysis

Media Planning & Buying

Case study challenge - Strategy by Mortar Creative Advertising San Francisco

The Challenge

After 13 consecutive years of falling tourism, Reno knew something had to give. Their core audience wasn’t gambling like they have in the past. They needed a fresh approach to marketing the city.

Strategic Decision

Target Bay area, Tahoe-bound millennials who could be persuaded to drive “over-the-hill” to experience Reno’s pleasantly wild and authentic counter-culture.

The A-Ha Moment

For just the right amount of weird, Reno’s right up your alley.

Case study creative - Creative work by Mortar Advertising Branding San Francisco

The Creative

We set out to completely change what people said about Reno. That called for everything: new messaging, new tagline, outdoor, radio, a coordinated push on major social channels, and good old fashioned PR.

Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign previous logos identity - Mortar Advertising Agency San Francisco
Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign logo design - Mortar Branding Agency San Francisco
Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign billboard design - Mortar Creative Agency Bay Area

With the exception of the long “o” sound, Reno is not Tahoe. Reno has grit. Attitude. Weirdness. And old school cool. So our design did too.

Reno Tahoe USA print ad creative - Mortar Advertising Agency Bay Area
Reno Tahoe USA branding ad campaign - Mortar Branding Agency Bay Area
Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign creative - San Francisco Mortar Creative Agency
Reno Tahoe USA ad campaign billboard - San Francisco Mortar Advertising Agency

The countless billboards on the way up to Reno were perfect opportunities to entertain (and provoke) the Tahoe-bound, “stick-up-the-Donner-Pass” crowd.

Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign billboard - San Francisco Mortar Branding Agency
Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign print ad creative - Bay Area Mortar Creative Agency
Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign print ad design - Bay Area Mortar Advertising Agency
Reno Tahoe USA branding campaign print ad - Bay Area Mortar Branding Agency

Intentionally brash and raspy, Reno’s new voice spoke volumes (of beer pints). Our message was clear: “Hey Bay Area, leave Tahoe in your taillights. Un-celebrate the serene. Because “Far from expected” is closer than you think.

Case study results - Strategic insights by Mortar Branding San Francisco

The Results

80% of the Bay Area saw our campaign at least eight times

And that falling tourist-rate? It started to climb for the first time in years