Carefree Truth

Issue #415, August 14, 2015

 

 

 

Mayor Les Peterson said Carefree has had many fine events, highlighted by the Christmas Festival, which have been marketed aggressively.  But marketing has been "kicked into high gear" this year by the new Carefree Marketing Director, Gina Kaegi.  

 

 

 

Mrs. Kaegi called Carefree a jewel, saying it is a pleasure to market.  A new Town logo has been created that is whimsical, yet high end.  The hummingbird is also included in the new Carefree Desert Garden logo.

   

 

 

The new Carefree website, www.visitcarefree.com or www.carefree.org (either address works), will be ready for it's "soft launch" by August 14th.  She thanked Jim Keen, who worked many hours with her on the new website, saying it was a team effort.  It is simple to navigate, fresh content will be added regularly, and it is mobile compatible.  The website is targeted to both residents and visitors.

 

 

 

The increased social media engagement since May 1st has reached over 60,000 people with postings of timely information.  Mrs. Kaegi encouraged everyone to check the Facebook page regularly.  There is a digital marketing boost in effect to drive people to the website, and search engine marketing will be in place by the end of August. 

 

 

 

Print media marketing is utilizing a mix of local and tourism venues.  The media calendar, highlighting events and the Gardens, is completed.  Ads and articles will appear in such magazines as Images AZ, Valley Guide, Where, and local newspapers.  Aggressive ad creation will take place in the next 6-8 months. 

 

 

 

Mrs. Kaegi worked with Kim Prince, owner of Proven Media, on PR strategies.  She thanked Mrs. Prince for the team effort, saying there is a lot to do, and she appreciates Mrs. Prince's expertise and professionalism.  There are 30 plus events scheduled between September 30th and May 1st, which bring people into town.  Mrs. Kaegi thanked the Council for approving the improvements to the Gardens that make the town look sharp.  

 

 

 

A Grand Opening for the splash pad is being planned for late September or early October.  Mrs. Kaegi said there is a reason why Desert Ridge, Fountain Hills, and Scottsdale Quarter all have splash pads.  They provide a viable marketing tool.  The new splash pad will invite a different demographic into Carefree, families.  There will also be a new Gardens Tour Map, a tri-fold brochure, new street banners, and new attractions. 

 

 

 

Mrs. Kaegi has been working closely with the Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce to draw in businesses.  She seeks to improve communications with the Carefree businesses and to involve them more in the local events.  She thanked Patty and Jennifer from the Chamber for working with her. 

 

 

 

Mrs. Kaegi wanted to produce a major fall event to kick off the season.  She contacted Ray Villafane, who saw the Carefree Desert Garden and loved its organic nature.  He agreed to transform it into The Enchanted Pumpkin Garden.  This is not a festival, but an 2 week long sustainable attraction for all ages that will garner strong media interest and a high level of visitor exposure.  This enhances Carefree's art culture, yet is unique.  Mr. Villafane also sculpts using sand, and will perhaps render a sand sculpture in the Gardens on a quarterly basis.

 

 

"Halloween spirit invades Carefree in the form of whimsical pumpkin carvings from master carver Ray Villafane. The Enchanted Pumpkin Garden is open to the public from October 16-31, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woven throughout the Carefree Desert Gardens, there will be over 30 playful characters, artfully imagined and frolicking in a magical village, as well as twelve preserved pumpkins in pickling tanks. The preserved designs will be on display in Saguaros, carved by Villafane, and lit by LED lighting.

 

Based in Surprise, Arizona, Ray Villafane is a world-renowned American sculptor who has travelled throughout the globe fashioning exceptional figures and scenes out of pumpkins, sand and snow.

 

Villafane has been called, "The Michelangelo of pumpkin carving," by Martha Stewart, carving for the President at the White House and on numerous national TV programs. From Good Morning America to the Food Network's Pumpkin Challenges, which he won in 2008, 2009, and 2010."

 

 

Mr. Villafane, a former teacher with 6 children of his own, loves working with children, and will hold pumpkin carving classes on the weekends during the event.  The Cave Creek Unified School District will bring students for a creative art field trip.   Carefree Kwianis is holding a pancake breakfast, will provide lunches and treats, and the Kiwanis Key Club will participate.   Kiwanis  is offering volunteers, as is the Chamber of Commerce.

 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/135652788/de2bec2bdb

 

 

 

Kim Prince (Proven Media) said she is working closely with Mrs. Kaegi, the Mayor, and some Council members, to promote the "great things our town has on the burner to do" and "some great things to come".  She met with the Mayor and Mrs. Kaegi 3 weeks ago. 

 

 

 

Because the Town does not have "a thick bureaucratic agency" but "a nice local 'can-get-it-done' agency", she was able to contact Images AZ Magazine way past the deadline. They were willing to consider Mrs. Prince's request if she could get them good color photos and an article quickly.  She hired local photographer Tom Baker, and he was out taking photos within the hour.  Images AZ is very visually oriented, and is not interested in pieces that do not include great photos.   Mrs. Prince stayed up very late writing the article.  Within 24-36 hours, she turned out the content and materials, showing the "great things happening in Carefree".  The article was published in the current issue, and one of the photos is featured on the front cover.  Mrs. Prince thanked the Council for involving a local agency.  She said she appreciates it and is very excited. 

 

https://vimeo.com/user18676056/review/135753489/8f7c0146de

 

 

 

Lyn Hitchon

 

 

 

Prepared by Carefree Truth

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