Campbell County Launches Rebranding Initiative with Black Dog Designs, LLC

RUSTBURG, VA - Campbell County is proud to announce the launch of a comprehensive rebranding initiative aimed at showcasing the unique identity, heritage, and future potential of the locality. After a highly competitive selection process, the community has engaged BLACK DOG DESIGNS, LLC (BLKDOG), a full-service branding and marketing agency headquartered in Glen Falls, New York, to lead the project.

The firm was selected following a public Request for Proposals (RFP) that drew 57 submissions from agencies across the country. After careful evaluation by a review committee, BLKDOG was chosen for its creative vision, strategic approach, and proven track record of working with rural communities across the country.

“The level of interest and quality of proposals we received was amazing,” said Molly Eden, Economic Development Specialist, who will lead the project on behalf of Campbell County “Ultimately, BLKDOG won us over with their understanding of rural identity, the creative range shown in their portfolio, and their enthusiastic energy.”

Hiring locality brand specialists represents a novel strategy for Campbell County, as prior efforts have been handled in-house. This comprehensive approach involves leaders and residents coming together to shape a renewed identity that will reflect local values, celebrate the county’s heritage, and attract future opportunities, whether in tourism, business investment, or civic engagement.

“This new brand will not only refine and reflect the core identity of the County and its residents but also position the County for success in all facets,” says BLKDOG Project Manager Anthony Nicolosi. “This includes enhancing quality of life, improving efficiency and cohesion in government communications, driving economic revitalization, and increasing tourism visitation and spending.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with BLKDOG to tell our story in a compelling and unified way,” said Nina Rezai, Director of Economic Development. “Development of ‘forward-focused, clear, strengths-based brand’ was a major initiative from our Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy released at the beginning of 2025. We’re expecting to produce a shared vision for our future that resonates with our residents and inspires others to visit, invest, and grow with us.”

The rebranding process will be deeply collaborative, with opportunities for residents, businesses, and stakeholders to offer input through interviews, group discussions, and community surveys. Community members are encouraged to stay informed and participate in all feedback opportunities. The project team will be visiting the county in August to kick off the discovery phase of the project.

“We are incredibly excited to explore Campbell County in early August to meet with community members and gain a strong sense of the County’s character and values,” says Nicolosi. “This will be an incredible opportunity to learn more about what the County has to offer in order to most effectively build a brand that distills everything that makes Campbell County special and communicates this in a clean, engaging manner.”

“Above all,” continues Nicolosi, “the most important element of this project for us is ensuring that we accurately tell the story of the County and the people who will ultimately bring the brand to life each day. This storytelling element is what sets communities apart, and we strongly believe that Campbell County has a deeply important and impactful story to tell as a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Campbell County Economic Development will be offering project updates and opportunities to participate on their social media channels and on their website at CampbellVirginia.com/Brand-2025.