Mini Gus to highlight Rock Island hot spots
Augustana College has launched a new campaign featuring Augustana's mascot, Gustav "Gus" Mauler. The campaign comes after the college and Renaissance Rock Island released a video that promotes Rock Island.
A mini version (approximately one foot tall) of Gus the Viking will begin making the rounds to some of the destinations featured in the video this week. Following an initial appearance at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse (1325 30th St., Rock Island) from Thursday, Aug. 6-Tuesday, Aug. 11, Mini Gus will visit various locations and events in Rock Island.
Upcoming Mini Gus Appearances
September 5 - Rock Island Grand Prix
September 7 - Rock Island Labor Day Parade
Follow along on his adventures using the hashtag #minigus, and learn where he'll be next on Instagram and Snapchat at AugieGus, and Twitter at @Augie_Gus.
"We want to give prospective students and their families more information and more reason to experience some of the unique destinations the city offers," said Keri Rursch, the college's executive director of public relations, communication and marketing. "We hope the new video and the Mini Gus campaign will introduce them to some of Rock Island's gems-businesses and local landmarks our students love."
Augustana College and Renaissance Rock Island enlisted the help of dphilms to create the video highlighting Augustana students' favorite Rock Island hot spots. Destinations featured include the Black Hawk State Historic Site, Blue Cat Brew Pub, ComedySportz, Cool Beanz, Hy-Vee, La Rancherita, MetroLINK, Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island Brewing Company, Rozz-Tox, Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Theo's Java Club and Whitey's Ice Cream.
This latest venture between Renaissance Rock Island and Augustana College comes after the two partnered to build three homes in the College Circle Neighborhood, near 30th Street and 10th Avenue in Rock Island, named Villas at College Hill.
"Renaissance Rock Island is proud to be a partner with Augustana College," said Brian Hollenback, president of Renaissance Rock Island. "This campaign clearly demonstrates a strong commitment from the business community and the college to work in partnership to promote Rock Island and welcome students and their families to the community."
About Renaissance Rock Island Renaissance Rock Island is the umbrella name for three inter-connected organizations dedicated to the revitalization of Rock Island. Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) is a 501(c)(3) Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO); Development Association of Rock Island (DARI) focuses on commercial and industrial development; and The Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District (The District) markets the downtown and produces unique downtown events.
About dphilms dphilms is a smart, fun-witted and honest woman-owned small business in downtown Rock Island, Ill. They are your best friends that you'll love doing business with because you know you're going to get a top-notch product at a fair price in a timely manner. Period. They deliver results to an extensive list of clientele from small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and leaders in the entertainment industry. Specializing in video production services allows dphilms to focus on what it does best; creating compelling video marketing, micro-imaging and incredible jib shots. Their work has been seen on nearly every major network, and they have worked on hundreds of infomercials featuring famous pitchmen such as George Foreman and the late Billy Mays, as well as music videos and concerts for Nickelback and Keith Urban. Locally, dphilms has done work for clients such as UnityPoint Health, Elliott Aviation, Springfield Armory and Ray'z Barber Shop.