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Southern Iowa Tourism Gets Attention of Top Advertising Talent, Iowa State University

September 15, 2007

A landmark partnership for southern Iowa tourism is unveiling itself at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa with the Historic Hills Region, including Davis County, a beneficiary.

Recognizing that the visitor economy is an important component to southern Iowa’s wealth, the State of Iowa has appointed an economic development district for tourism known as Historic Hills. The multi-county, Historic Hills district, including Appanoose, Davis, Decatur, Clarke, Monroe, Lucas, Wayne, Wapello, and Van Buren counties, recently branded and trademarked its moniker and logo, created a website (www.historichills.com), initiated common landscaping and gateway signs in 39 community entrances, and developed a five-year strategic plan.

As a part of the Historic Hills’ strategic plan for marketing, Iowa State University has incorporated into its course catalog for Fall 2007 three classes that focus exclusively on Historic Hills’ advancement.

According to Tracy Daugherty Miller, executive director of Chariton Valley Planning and Development and agent for Historic Hills, the contributions from university staff and students will include: 1) development of strategic marketing concepts; 2) creation and design of advertising media; 3) evaluation of advertising alternatives as compared with budgetary constraints.

“Iowa State University and Professor John Thomas are essentially taking on the Historic Hills tourism region as an advertising client,” explains Daugherty Miller. “The full resources of the university are at the disposal of its staff and students to develop a tailored marketing and advertising plan for our southern Iowa tourism region, Historic Hills.”

Under the direction of Professor John Thomas, who was included in Advertising Age’s Top 100 Marketers (1998) for advertising excellence, the Historic Hills region receives specialized advertising and marketing plans. By January 2008, Historic Hills is assured a portfolio of high-quality, creative marketing products. The advertisements will be rolled out to visitors as well as bus tour coordinators.

Professor Thomas is experienced in survey research, retail store development and management, print/broadcast advertising, public relations, brand management, Web development and agency management. Thomas has worked for Maytag Corporation and Clay Equipment Corporation.  Included among his recognitions for outstanding advertising work are six Gold Effies for campaign effectiveness (1991, 1992, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2001) and three Gold Mobius (1993, 1995, 1999).

“Historic Hills is very appreciative of the support of Iowa State University, John Thomas, and the Iowa Departments of Economic Development and Transportation,” commented Daugherty Miller. “Our chambers of commerce directors are pleased that their collective work is paying off.”