Countryside Mall

Simply Promotions has worked with Countryside Mall as an events and marketing partner since 2015. Our relationship began with Simply hosting various expos for local brands and consumers to connect. In 2018, we started collaborating with Countryside Mall’s marketing department to host consumer experience events and create the ArtWave program to connect local artists to students. Simply partners with the ChiChi Rodriguez Youth Foundation for the program. 

The Challenge

Countryside Mall in Clearwater, Florida, sought to evolve beyond traditional retail by achieving the following goals:

1. Increasing foot traffic in a competitive retail landscape
2. Enhancing social media engagement and online presence
3. Attracting a diverse audience, including families, millennials, and Gen X
4. Creating community events that resonate with target demographics 
5. Developed a collaborative art program with local artists, the ChiChi Rodriguez Youth Foundation School, and students.
6. Overcoming time and staffing constraints to organize impactful event programs.
7. Strengthening community and media ties through art and cultural initiatives

Our Solution

Simply Promotions developed the ArtWave program, a comprehensive Community Connection initiative tailored to Countryside Mall’s unique needs:

1. Local Artist Collaboration: Partnered with local artists to create permanent art installations within the mall.
2. Interactive Art Pieces: Designed art that encouraged customer interactions and social media sharing.
3. Community Engagement: Involved the community in creating art, fostering a sense of ownership and connection.
4. Social Media Integration: Leveraged social media to promote events and encourage user-generated content.
5. Diverse Programming: Created events appealing to various demographics, from families to millennials.
6. Long-term Strategy: Developed a multi-year plan for continuous engagement and mall transformation.

Success Results

The ArtWave program, operational since the summer of 2020, has yielded impressive outcomes:

1. Increased Foot Traffic: Thousands of visitors have engaged with the art installations, boosting mall attendance.
2. Enhanced Social Media Presence: Significant increase in user-generated content and social media engagement.
3. Artistic Contributions: Four unique community art pieces were installed, each interacting with hundreds of customers daily.
4. Community Impact: Strengthened ties with the local arts community and diverse demographic groups.
5. Longevity and Growth: Celebrated its fifth anniversary in June 2024, demonstrating sustained success and evolution.
6. Cultural Transformation: Successfully repositioned Countryside Mall as a cultural hub, attracting a wider audience.
7. Milestone Achievement: Installation of the fifth community mural, “Retro in Colors,” focusing on Countryside Mall’s 50th year in the community. 

By implementing the ArtWave program, Simply Promotions helped Countryside Mall overcome its challenges and achieve its vision of becoming a multifaceted destination. This success story showcases the power of innovative, community-focused marketing strategies in transforming traditional retail spaces into vibrant cultural centers.