Marketing in Downtown Richmond | Venture Richmond

RVA Creates

Although “RVA” existed well before we put the first sticker on a bumper, its full potential to bring the community together had never been explored. That all changed when a work group of six creative organizations – The Martin Agency, VCU Brandcenter, West Cary Group, JHI, Elevation and The Hodges Partnership – collaborated with us to develop the creative, community engagement experiment that is RVA Creates. What was a simple idea: create an open source city identity; has grown into something bigger and better than we could have ever done on our own. That’s the power of RVA!

RVA Stickers

The RVA bumper sticker, launched in 2012, was the catalyst for what has followed. Today there are hundreds of lines of RVA merchandise and thousands of business entities with “RVA” in the name registered with the SCC. The RVA stickers can be seen all over the nation.

In the years since the first RVA sticker printing, the impact of our venture is clear:

  • #RVA has well over 125 million Twitter posts
  • #RVA has well over 5.4 million Instagram posts
  • A Google search for “RVA” results in well over 256 million search results
  • 1500+ business entities with “RVA” in the name registered to the SCC

Our work goes to show that our community wanted, and now celebrates, a sense of ownership over their capital city and associates part of their identity with the identity of our city.

If you would like to have your very own RVA sticker or to offer them at your place of business, please fill out our contact form.

Faces of Downtown Ad Campaign

2020-2021

In 2020-2021, as Richmonders waded through the devastation and uncertainty of a world-wide Covid-19 pandemic from their homes, businesses Downtown began to suffer. And, as the months went on, many were forced to close temporarily and some permanently.

In December 2020, Venture Richmond started a marketing campaign called the “Faces of Downtown,” to reach out to the Richmond Region, reminding people that Downtown has hundreds of small businesses, non-profits, and cultural institutions that are open. A reminder that small businesses in Downtown Richmond have their doors open, awaiting the return of people in a safe and responsible way. The advertisements were all the friendly faces of Downtown business owners, reminders to support them, that they are friends and neighbors, the faces of your Downtown. #MeetMeDowntown

Read more about the full marketing campaign here:

Meet Me Downtown Ad Campaign

2022-2023

As a follow up to our Faces of Downtown advertising campaign supporting small businesses Downtown, in May 2021 we launched the Meet Me Downtown campaign to remind central Virginian’s that Downtown Richmond has hundreds of restaurants, museums, attractions, events, arts and entertainment venues, galleries and shops that are unique, open and welcoming to all! The ads featured all of the exceptional things to ENJOY, DISCOVER, EXPLORE and SHOP in Downtown Richmond. #MeetMeDowntown

Read more here: https://venturerichmond.com/news/Meet-Me-Downtown-Richmond/