Case Studies

Ojai Visitors Bureau

The Ballin Team was hired in 2010 to develop and implement a PR-based destination marketing program for the newly formed Ojai Visitors Bureau, with the goal of driving more overnight stays for local hotels. Agency services included branding, identity package, website development and SEO, press trip organization, media relations, graphic design, social media, e-newsletters, community outreach and annual reports. The transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue increased 9% in 2010, 9% in 2011, and 14% in 2012. Additionally, several hundred high-profile travel articles were published promoting Ojai as a destination. Read More
Oxnard Salsa Festival

Oxnard Salsa Festival

As contract Festival Director for 12 years, Ruth Ballin planned and executed a high quality community event to showcase downtown Oxnard. Her services for the Oxnard Salsa Festival included event management, strategic planning, budgeting, media relations, marketing collateral, website development, social media, logistics, sponsorship, volunteer management and contest planning. In short, Ballin put the Salsa Festival on the map. She grew attendance from 12,000 to 50,000, garnered awards as the region’s “best cultural event”, and turned this free festival from a money loser to a money maker. Currently Ballin serves as Sponsorship Director for the Festival. Read More

Ojai Playwrights Conference

As Marketing & Public Relations Director for the Ojai Playwrights Conference since 2010, Ruth’s role has been to increase awareness of this new play development program, grow audience participation, and enhance fundraising efforts – all on a shoestring budget. Services include marketing and PR strategy for both the Summer New Works Festival and Annual Winter Benefit, budget oversight, website, social media, e-marketing, ticketing, copywriting and graphic design oversight. Ruth’s efforts have increased ticket sales for both events, three years in a row, and raised the profile of the organization through effective email marketing, direct mail, social media, website redesign, and well placed media stories. Read More
 

Oxnard Downtown Management District

As the Public Relations Consultant for this downtown improvement district, Ruth developed an annual PR & Communications Plan, and initiated press releases, newsletters, merchant communications, and the summer fun brochure. She also managed special projects including the downtown banner program. Her “Tour De Taco” concept and press release received rave reviews from the local media.

Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau

As the Marketing Contractor for the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ruth handled marketing director responsibilities including annual marketing plan development and implementation, graphic design oversight, website launch and content copy writing, ad insertions, newsletters, brochures and billboards. She coordinated grand opening activities for the California Welcome Center Oxnard, and secured partnerships for the “Oxnard Top Ten” destination brochure and the “Explore Oxnard” marketing campaign. Most recently she directed the publication of the 2013 Oxnard Visitor Guide.
 

Ventura County Lodging Association

As the Project Manager to coordinate the launch of a new website for a regional tourism initiative, Ruth developed the project timeline, created site navigation, wrote copy for the entire site, selected images, and interfaced with board members, three tourism organizations, the ad agency, and web design company during the process.