Marketing Martinez — And the Winner Is. . .

People in Martinez are nothing if not helpful, so when the City Council hit a snag in a discussion last month about marketing the city, Martinez Patch asked our readers to help. We sweetened the deal with a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant for the winning entry.

There were a number of entries, some of them with tongue definitely in cheek (“Sausalito by the Refinery,” thank you, Robert Perry) and some great ideas – developing the John Muir House, Waterfront Park and other locales as backdrops for weddings, for example, and marketing the city as the place to tie the knot (thank you, Stacey).

Two of my favorites were “The Jewel in the Crown” (thanks, Hope Savage) and “Martinez – Bringing Back the Romance (thanks, Dick Duncan).

Downtown was a big focus, as in Paul Wilson’s entry – “Come Stroll Leisurely Through Downtown Martinez.” And Anne Mobley entered: “Martinez - Contra Costa's hidden treasure - step back in time to a charming downtown. Celebrate its uniqueness.” And this from Marion Broadhurst: “The Antique Boutique Capital of Contra Costa County.”

Janice Vinco suggested fundraising for commercials on local TV stations to market a motto like “Martinez is Marvelous.”

John Muir was a theme for a lot of entries, as well. Gayle Goldblatt likes “Home of John Muir, and More,” while Libby Morphy suggested “something environmentally progressive in honor of John Muir.”

Melissa Fail thought that bocce should be heavily marketed and portable food trucks should be allowed to sell food during the games. She also thought more downtown events would help.

Rose suggested naming a ferry after baseball great Joe DiMaggio that served as a shuttle to AT&T Park for Giants games and other events, and creating a major downtown shopping area such as the one in Pleasant Hill.

Ann Scott thought a logo was kind of silly, and in that spirit suggested the motto: “Martinez, the Little City that Can,” with a picture of John Muir climbing up a Shell smokestack with a bocce ball in one hand, and the marina and hills in the background.

Marlene Lerner Bigley said she believes that a waterfront restaurant or two would go a long way toward promoting the city, as would a downtown supermarket along the lines of Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. Dasha Millson agreed.

David Parks would beckon to tourists with the phrase “Visit Big City Diversity In A Small Town Heart.” 

Laurie Fahy likes “Martinez - Making it Happen! Historic Sites, Quality Schools, Lively Recreation.”

And Aaron Crowe invites people to “Make Martinez Yours.”

David Rich gets poetic with “Martinez, the end of the rainbow, where the grass is truly greener. Come home. . . where the beautiful scenic hillsides and the Straits of Carquinez await you.”

Now for the top three entries, based entirely on my humble opinion:

Third Place - Candice Ferroggiaro: "Martinez... This is Home."

Second Place - Cassy Campbell: "Come Early, Stay Late — Come early to experience the nature, history, shopping, dining...stay late to experience the magic, music and arts." She suggested a billboard that showed images of the city from dawn through dark.

And the winner is. . . Roxanne Cole, who developed a very thoughtful, powerful set of messages that could be used on a series of billboards to sell the numerous assets of our fair city.

Each billboard would say “John (Muir) found Paradise, so can you.” Beneath that would read “Martinez. . .,” under that, “Celebrate Home.” Each billboard would feature a different asset after “Martinez. . .” so –

Martinez …Family First

Martinez….Restored Wetlands

Martinez….Main Street USA

Martinez….Schools of Distinction

Martinez….Magic & Music

Martinez….Shopping & Dining

Martinez….Theatre & Arts

Martinez….Sports & Classic Car Nights

Martinez….Farmers Markets & Peddlers Faire

Martinez….Santa & Snow Parks

Martinez….Wine Strolls & Brew Fests

Martinez….Parades & Parks

This was the winner because it illustrated so many great things about our city and tied them all together in a branded theme that could be used very effectively on a series of billboards throughout Contra Costa and environs. These billboards would work throughout the Bay Area.

So, our congratulations to Roxanne, and to everyone who took the time and trouble to send us an entry. There is no shortage of great ideas for how to spread the word about Martinez, and we hope City Council members are paying attention to these ideas.

To them we say, “You’re welcome!”