Acevox helps reimagine DSBIA’s brand to strengthen connection and community Impact.
Client
- Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA)
Downtown Santa Barbara Improvement Association (DSBIA)
Services Provided
- Brand Strategy & Positioning
Brand Strategy & Positioning
- Strategy & Consulting
Strategy & Consulting
- Brand Development
Brand Development
- Creative Services
Creative Services
The Goal
To develop a brand system that authentically represents the spirit of Downtown Santa Barbara, one that unifies communication, celebrates local culture, and strengthens DSBIA’s role as a connector, advocate, and storyteller for the downtown community, while also creating a communications and messaging framework to launch the brand and inspire community-wide adoption.
The Challenge
The existing identity lacked alignment with its evolving mission and the diversity of voices it represents. The organization needed a brand that could honor its heritage, reflect the vitality of the downtown district, and adapt to multiple audiences, from business owners and residents to visitors and city partners, without losing clarity or cohesion.
THE PROCESS
Reimagining a Brand Rooted in Community.
We began by engaging DSBIA stakeholders, business owners, and community members to understand perceptions and aspirations. Guided by these insights, we developed a clear positioning framework that informed the creative direction for a versatile visual identity and messaging system built for long-term relevance.
BRAND POSITIONING STATEMENT
DSBIA exists to create a thriving, inclusive, and resilient downtown by uniting locals, civic-partners, and businesses to enhance the heart of Santa Barbara.
With a focus on activation, beautification, and support, DSBIA ensures downtown Santa Barbara remains vibrant, welcoming, and reflective of the people who shape it.
THE STRATEGY
A Brand That Lives Beyond the Launch
Rather than treating the rebrand as a one-time unveiling, Acevox equipped DSBIA with a roadmap for activation over announcement. We provided the team with the tools, frameworks, and guidance to bring the brand to life from within.
Our team developed a comprehensive brand activation guide, including recommendations for internal adoption, communication sequencing, and storytelling tactics designed to help staff and partners confidently implement the new identity. By shifting the focus to a sustained evolution, we empowered DSBIA to own their brand narrative, embedding it into the organization’s culture and community relationships for lasting resonance.
Our team developed a comprehensive brand activation guide, including recommendations for internal adoption, communication sequencing, and storytelling tactics designed to help staff and partners confidently implement the new identity. By shifting the focus to a sustained evolution, we empowered DSBIA to own their brand narrative, embedding it into the organization’s culture and community relationships for lasting resonance.
THE OUTCOME
A Living Identity for a Thriving Downtown
The result is a cohesive, community-driven brand system that reflects the heart of Downtown Santa Barbara; vibrant, collaborative, and deeply rooted in place. DSBIA now has a clear framework and flexible toolkit to guide its communications, unify stakeholders, and strengthen its role as a trusted leader and advocate for downtown vitality.
The refreshed identity extends beyond design, it has become a strategic foundation for connection and storytelling, empowering DSBIA to engage audiences with confidence and consistency. The brand now lives not just in logos or visuals, but in how the organization speaks, collaborates, and champions its community every day.
The refreshed identity extends beyond design, it has become a strategic foundation for connection and storytelling, empowering DSBIA to engage audiences with confidence and consistency. The brand now lives not just in logos or visuals, but in how the organization speaks, collaborates, and champions its community every day.
