BRHBA Parade of Homes Campaign Revived Attendance with Unified Messaging and Digital Strategy

Discover how the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association Parade of Homes reversed years of declining attendance with a cohesive digital strategy, engaging video content, and a robust paid social media campaign that brought the event back to life.

Overview

The Blue Ridge Home Builders Association (BRHBA) Parade of Homes is a beloved annual event in Charlottesville, showcasing the best in home design and craftsmanship. However, in recent years, attendance had steadily declined due to shifting consumer behavior and fragmented advertising efforts.

In 2024, we became the agency of record for the Parade of Homes and set out to revitalize the event. By unifying the campaign’s messaging, introducing engaging video content, and leveraging a comprehensive digital strategy, we successfully grew in-person attendance for the first time in years.

Our Roles

Video Commercials, Multi-Channel Advertising, Social Media Advertising

Our Approach

Unified Brand Messaging: One of the key challenges was the lack of brand consistency across advertising channels. We developed cohesive content and messaging that ensured the Parade of Homes ads were instantly recognizable, whether viewed on a phone, in a magazine, or on a website.

Engaging Video Content: To add a personal touch, we introduced video content featuring Kate Colvin, the Parade of Homes Chair. Kate’s approachable and enthusiastic presence brought the campaign to life, creating a stronger connection with the audience. Her messaging was updated as the event dates approached, keeping the content fresh and relevant.

Multi-Channel Advertising: We placed ads across a variety of platforms, including newspapers, magazines, websites, and targeted digital ads. No matter where the ads appeared, they worked together to build brand and event awareness.

Robust Paid Social Media Campaigns: We ran a comprehensive paid campaign on Facebook and Instagram, showcasing videos and event details across Stories, Reels, Newsfeeds, and more. The campaign included 13 different ad variations, optimized in real-time for mobile, desktop, and tablet users. This approach ensured maximum reach and engagement.

Preventing Ad Fatigue: To keep the audience engaged, we added fun and dynamic elements to the campaign, changing the messaging and visuals along the way to maintain interest and excitement.

Anne Flinn Advertising exceeded our expectations with their marketing & advertising efforts for both the 2024 & 2025 BRHBA Parade of Homes. In 2025, we saw over 1,000 more Parade attendees than 2024! Their creativity & dedication helped us achieve this record number of visitors, making the event a huge success!

Jenny Tapscott Executive Director at Blue Ridge Home Builders Association (BRHBA)
Results

The 2024 Parade of Homes campaign marked a turning point for the event, delivering impressive results:

  • Increased Attendance: For the first time in several years, in-person attendance grew, reversing the downward trend.
  • Enhanced Brand Awareness: Unified messaging and consistent visuals ensured the Parade of Homes stood out across all advertising channels.
  • Engagement Across Platforms: The paid social media campaign reached a wide audience, driving traffic and building excitement for the event.

By combining cohesive branding, engaging video content, and a strategic multi-channel approach, the BRHBA Parade of Homes reclaimed its position as a must-attend event in Charlottesville.

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