Rondele Ranch
CASE STUDY: Brand Development | Digital Marketing
Project Overview
Rondele Ranch is a one-of-a-kind property near Rhinelander in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Originally started in 2004 as a private residential getaway, the 700-acre property has since evolved into a popular spot for weddings, corporate retreats, private events, and vacations. Rondele Ranch came to us wanting a new brand that more accurately reflected their wide variety of offerings and highlighted their top-notch facilities—a challenge we quickly said “I do” to.
01/ Brand Development
Identifying existing assets
We started by looking at the audience and analytics for Rondele Ranch’s website and social media channels to examine who they were reaching through their existing marketing. Then, we held a productive daylong planning session with Rondele Ranch’s leadership to discuss a wide range of topics, from what sets Rondele Ranch apart from other destinations to target audiences for weddings and lodging to initial ideas on logos and other branding.
Colors + competition
Then it was time for a creative branding session where we tried to capture the feeling Rondele Ranch wanted to convey with their new brand and website. First, we brainstormed words and phrases we felt best described Rondele Ranch and their intended audience. We also reviewed color palettes to help establish design elements that would support their vision. We then looked at wedding inspiration boards on Pinterest to get an idea of what other venues offered and how Rondele Ranch stacked up.
Building a brand
From there, we went through several rounds of branding concepts—including logos, fonts, and the color palette—while developing the new brand’s messaging. While weddings are Rondele Ranch’s bread and butter, we wanted to highlight everything this special place has to offer. It’s a place where you can celebrate life’s defining moments, whether that’s a wedding on a stunning Northwoods summer day, a family reunion bringing together long-separated relatives, or a business retreat to plan your business’ next steps.
Defining moments happen at Rondele Ranch. Whether it’s a marriage, or a strategic planning session that propels a business forward, a reunion around a firepit at one of the rental homes, someone’s first fish caught at the motel, or a metal-crafted work that personalizes a home, the core values are never forgotten at Rondele Ranch.
Rondele Ranch brand statement
02/ Digital Marketing
Showing off our assets
Next, we needed a showpiece to highlight this new brand, so we dove into work on Rondele Ranch’s new website. The property’s existing site was functional but did not reflect the elegant and welcoming spirit we wanted to convey to people looking for wedding venues, event space, and lodging in the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin. We took Rondele Ranch’s existing photography and video and combined it with the new brand to create an eye-catching, inviting website that highlights everything Rondele Ranch offers, from first-class wedding venues to unique spaces for corporate retreats to cozy and comfortable lodging options.
A stay’s just a click away
We wanted to make sure booking a stay at one of Rondele Ranch’s vacation homes was a seamless process, so we incorporated Checkfront (an online booking software program) into the site, which allows visitors to book directly from each of the lodging listings on rondeleranch.com. Rondele Ranch also hosts several community events throughout the year, so the site also uses Checkfront’s ticketing capabilities to allow interested attendees to purchase tickets online.
