Cities of Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty

Love Our Water Campaign Launch

BACKGROUND

Stormwater runoff rarely makes headlines. But for the cities of Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty, it was a pressing issue. Poor runoff management was degrading local water quality, yet most residents were either unaware of the problem or unsure how to help. The cities needed more than a public notice-they needed a movement.

 

CHALLENGE

How do you get people to care about stormwater-something invisible, technical, and easy to ignore? And how do you do it across multiple municipalities with different needs but a shared concern?

The goal wasn't just to educate. It was to activate. A campaign that could unify cities, speak to everyday residents, and inspire real behavior change was needed.

 

SOLUTION

We started by naming the initiative something that felt personal, hopeful, and unifying: LOVE OUR WATER. More than just a campaign title, it became a rallying cry-a reminder that this issue belongs to all of us.

From there, we built a brand identity that was simple, bold, and easy to integrate into everyday life. Branded water bottles, buttons, and other giveaway items put the message in people's hands. Yard signs, pamphlets, and banners turned passive spaces into moments of education.

To drive deeper engagement, we deployed digital campaigns targeting people based on their geography and interest in outdoor living-an approach that ensured the message landed with the right people in the right context.

SERVICES:

- Brand Strategy and Messaging
- Visual Identity
- Campaign Development
- Promotional Materials
- Digital Marketing

Love Our Water logo variations

BRAND IDENTITY

The LOVE OUR WATER logo is as direct as it is emotional. Its typography balances authority with friendliness while the heart-shaped water-droplet mark reinforces the personal nature of the campaign. The identity easily flexes across materials, from small-scale stickers to large-format signage.

"Working with McCullough Creative was a great experience. Their fresh ideas helped us increase participation in our program by 300%."

 

- Amy Foster, Stormwater Coordinator

Love Our Water marketing collateral materials

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Giveaways were chosen for both visibility and utility. Water bottles, buttons, tote bags, and yard signs encouraged residents to showcase their commitment to clean water while turning them into brand ambassadors in their neighborhoods.

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

The campaign extended online with targeted social ads and awareness videos. These digital touchpoints allowed the message to meet people where they already were-scrolling, swiping, and streaming-while reinforcing simple, clear calls to action.

Love Our Water marketing collateral materials

RESULTS

 

The campaign delivered measurable impact. In the year following the launch of LOVE OUR WATER:

– Program participation exceeded expectations by 300%.

 

– Community recognition of stormwater efforts increased dramatically.

 

– The participating cities reported a noticeable uptick in requests for rain barrels, native plants, and other eco-friendly tools.

 

– LOVE OUR WATER received recognition as a model for collaborative, cross-city branding.