Goss Agency Wins Cherokee Nation Branding Project
Posted: 08-25-2008 : ASHEVILLE, N.C.

Asheville, N.C. – The Goss Agency, an award winning travel and tourism ad agency, announced today it was assigned to develop a cultural tourism ad campaign for Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The campaign will highlight Cherokee Nation’s proud heritage with messages that focus on little known, but awe inspiring facts about Cherokee history. “We are currently working toward developing our cultural tourism sector. Cherokee Nation is positioned to be a national tourist destination in two to three years. We believe The Goss Agency’s creative executions and strategic branding knowledge will be a key factor in our growth,” said Talisha Nichols, Senior Manager, Cherokee Nation Cultural Tourism.

According to Jeff Goss, Creative Director for the agency, the goal is to “develop a branding campaign that changes the way people look at the Cherokee by accentuating the ‘hidden gems’ – their proud history, unique historical landmarks, sophisticated government and social infrastructures that were ahead of their time.” The campaign, which includes magazines, billboards and newspapers, is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of 2008 in media markets within a three hour drive of Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

The Goss Agency is the agency of record for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina. After launching a new culturally based brand campaign two years ago, EBCI saw a 49% increase in ticket sales and continues to see year over year increases at its’ main events and cultural attractions.

The Asheville agency has made a name for itself in the category of cultural tourism. According to Goss, identifying “the natural gems of a destination and communicating them in a manner that touches emotion,” is key to effectively engaging audiences who seek to become part of the cultural experience. The agency, which has also done work for the Islands of Palau, Disney, St. Lucia and others, is carving a successful niche within the cultural travel and tourism industry. The Cherokee Nation work further strengthens Goss’s hold on the category, and specifically with Native American cultural destinations.

The Goss Agency, founded in 1998, focuses on results-producing branding and advertising strategies using traditional media as well as multimedia and strategic public relations platforms. Jeff Goss and his team have won more than 90 regional, national, and international awards. Visit www.thegossagency.com for more information.