Ybor City Development Corporation Crest Logo

Ybor City Development Corporation

Client: Ybor City Development Corporation
Industry: Economic Development/Government

Challenge:

The Ybor Development Corporation wanted to understand the needs of the community and increase awareness of the district’s residential, commercial and tourism amenities.

Solution:

HCP developed a study to establish the quality of life for workers and residents, provided strategic recommendations and implemented a foundational marketing plan.

The Ybor City Development Corporation (YCDC), a division of the City of Tampa’s Economic and Urban Development Department facilitates the development, redevelopment, economic revitalization and general improvement of Ybor City’s Historic District.

In late April of 2016, HCP was named marketing firm of record of the YCDC. In May, HCP took over all marketing for the district and simultaneously launched an assessment with the objectives of understanding development priorities from resident and worker perspectives; establishing benchmarks for satisfaction and recommendation levels; collecting perceived assets and opportunities for the district; documenting motivating factors for use in attracting future residents; gleaning benefits for potential businesses to relocate to Ybor City; identifying challenges to achieving residential, retail and commercial capacity; and solidifying how the stakeholders define Ybor City’s brand.

The more than 700 participants shared factors of greatest importance—sense of safety, walkability, things to do and parking accessibility. The study also highlighted Ybor’s strongest assets, inclusive of its historic significance, diversity, architecture, walkability, food and beverage and activity. Learning from visitors, residents, workers, business owners and leaders would shape the strategy and call attention to the broader offerings in the district to help grow its diverse community through additional economic development efforts. In addition, this process shaped the communication tools HCP would use over the next year to communicate the assets of Ybor to prospects that match their profiles.

Once the strategy was defined and our foundational marketing plan was agreed to, the creative team refreshed the brand message and launched the website, fueled by the messages that rose to the top during the assessment. Our public relations professionals worked with the YCDC and city officials to devise a Crisis Management Plan. HCP was also able to make recommendations regarding the structure of the YCDC committees, again ensuring that their focus matched the demands of the district’s stakeholders. During our eight months of involvement with the YCDC, social media engagement increased by 121 percent, positive comments on stories increased by 300 percent, relevant post shares increased by 23 percent and our summer campaign tripled the number of people reached the previous year on a 50 percent smaller budget.