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How We Inspired Students to Build Their Future with Coastal Pines

coastal pines technical college

Services we provided

The Challenge

The goal was to motivate high school students to overcome self-doubt and recognize their potential for success through the education and resources offered by Coastal Pines Technical College. The campaign aimed to transform negative perceptions into moments of empowerment.

Our Approach

We focused on flipping the narrative, replacing feelings of “I can’t” with “Of course I can.” Through a mix of authentic storytelling, aspirational imagery, and uplifting messaging, we captured students’ attention and inspired confidence. Using digital advertising, traditional media, and bold billboard designs, we showcased the opportunities Coastal Pines offers and highlighted how students could shape their future with the right support.

The Results

The campaign struck a chord, boosting enrollment inquiries and helping students see their potential in a new light. Coastal Pines became synonymous with empowerment, growth, and success—proof that the right message can make all the difference.

Why it Worked

By addressing the emotional barriers to success, we created a campaign that didn’t just inform but inspired. Our approach tapped into students’ aspirations and showed them a clear path forward, making education feel not only attainable but exciting.

h2o wins big at C2A

award winning brand

h2o Creative Group earned a 2024 C2A Award for Advertising – Integrated Campaigns with the Empower Tomorrow campaign for Coastal Pines Technical College. This inspiring project motivated students to shape their future through education and opportunity, blending digital, social, and traditional advertising.

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How We Hatched a Fresh Look for Southern Roost

southern roost

Services we provided

The Challenge

Develop a unique and memorable brand for a fast-casual chicken restaurant franchise serving breakfast and lunch in the Southeast. The brand needed to reflect its Southern charm while standing out in a saturated market.

Our Approach

We leaned into Southern hospitality’s flavors and feelings, crafting a warm, rustic, and playful brand identity. From logo design and brand identity (gift cards, business cards, etc.) to wall murals, menus, website design, and social media strategy, we ensured every touchpoint was steeped in charm and authenticity. By incorporating thoughtful elements like food packaging design, photography, merchandise, and exterior & POP signage, we made Southern Roost not just a restaurant but a true community staple.

The Results

Southern Roost launched with a distinct brand that resonated with customers and made a strong impression in the fast-casual dining world. They now stand out as a fresh take on Southern comfort and are slated to open more restaurant locations in the near future.

Why it Worked

Our strategy combined rustic Southern aesthetics with modern design elements, creating a brand that felt both familiar and innovative—a winning recipe for success.

h2o wins big at C2A

award winning brand

h2o Creative Group proudly took home a 2024 C2A Award for Retail Branding with the Southern Roost Restaurant Launch. This project brought Southern charm to life through bold, modern branding and a seamless customer experience.

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Coastal Outreach Soccer

encompassing the COS brand

“If you build it, they will come.”  – misquoted quote, Kevin Costner.

Coastal Outreach Soccer (COS) is a local nonprofit that provides athletic and academic opportunities for children of underserved and low-income families of Brunswick, GA and surrounding areas. COS partnered with Atlanta United Football Club to construct a new Futsal Court to better reach the community’s youth. 

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COS has a big story to tell – their athletics, academics, and community outreach programs are varied and expansive. The primary challenge: how do we communicate their story visually in a way that is both comprehensive and appealing to kids? The secondary challenge: how do we apply this design language to the entire project–not just a sign on the gate. How do we take visitors from the community and fully immerse them in the COS culture?

With research on how other non-profit organizations achieved similar projects, Designer Andrew Shacklett then dove into finding out ways that COS and the Futsal Court stood apart. Working with the COS staff, Andrew and Project Manager John Daniel, created a concept that encompassed the COS brand, the new project, and the goals they wanted to achieve. This artistically, the illustration-heavy concept would then migrate to the windscreens, kicking walls, print material, and more, including future Futsal locations. 

On March 24, 2022, the opening of the Futsal Court became more than just a ribbon-cutting of a new recreational area–it was a community celebration. Over 200 people attended, including members of local government, the Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce, professional soccer players and staff from Atlanta United, and NFL’s Darius Slay Jr., a major sponsor and supporter of COS. 

h2o creative group is proud to partner with COS and be a small part of the bigger picture change they are making in our community and youth. 



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Glen Ella

h2o escapes
to the mountains

A historical bed & breakfast hidden away in the magical North Georgia mountains invites h2o creative group to capture all the beauty they have to offer. As past guests of this breathtaking establishment, of course, we turn this into an opportunity to tell the visual story of the experience we received at the inn.

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Glen Ella Springs Inn & Restaurant reached out to h2o creative group for updated property photography after working together on a project for their local Chamber of Commerce and tourism campaign in Habersham County of North Georgia. Updated suites, curated menu, wonderfully kept grounds and unique amenities were to be the highlight during this particular photo shoot. 

h2o was tasked to honor the already established brand in order to add new photography to their website, listings, and social media, but also to tap into the charm and personality of Glen Ella with an always evolving digital audience. As a partner with the prestigious Select Registry, we wanted to show that Glen Ella exceeds standards with their service and accommodations. 

With research on other independent properties in their market, as well as conversations with the owners on what they wanted to showcase, we quickly found the details of Glen Ella that stood out the most. Owners Luci and Ed Kivett, true to their hosting and hospitality reputation, went above and beyond preparing the photoshoot with a decadent menu and local talent that were an absolute joy to work with. 



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hognbones

Smoked slow. Piled High. Marketing to perfection.

We know what we like. We like good food. We like companies that value relationships. We like creative freedom. Now, find us a company that nurtures creative relationships and also has good food? Well, we just found love.

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This love story begins with h2o creative group on a mission to connect with an existing business that we knew had a great product, lots of potential, and leadership we wanted to grow with. Hog-N-Bones was at a point where we could help build their brand and marketing efforts to reach the next level, rivaling national brands in their market. 

We were challenged to lift this existing brand from a local restaurant to a national chain, all the while keeping their all-American, BBQ joint vibe. We needed to solidify their voice: Masculine, rooted, handmade/handcrafted, and local. 

Our brand direction, design and photography put Hog-N-Bones on the same stage with national restaurant chains as far as overall look, consistency and brand cohesiveness. Areas like traditional marketing and branding, digital marketing, and social media grew as their franchise did. New locations are popping up throughout the region and more are in talks to get the smoker fired up. Hog-N-Bones has more than doubled their physical presence since committing to their branding journey with h2o creative group and they continue to grow and evolve.

“While the competition had chosen a clean, simplistic menu, we developed a visual expression that would emphasize real-food, intentional service, soulful people, rustic-chic ambiance and powerful like an ole days’ cattle mark.”

– Anne Goodstein, Creative Director


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Coastal Mortgage Solutions

Strong business.
Stronger brand.

A strong business needs a strong brand. Lucky for our clients, we’re heavy lifters in the brand development department.

Services

Coastal Mortgage Solutions (CMS) came to us as a successful business of three distinctive personalities with a whole lot of goals, ideas, and vision. In order to assist CMS in reaching its objectives, we needed to define a core brand message that was shared by all three and support it with a strong brand image. We wanted all three major CMS players’ unique voices amplified in the message we push out. 

Our strategy came in phases in order to optimize our efforts and results. Phase I consisted of marketing a brand that is recognizable in the community. We took this unique opportunity of having the three key players’ persona tied to the brand itself. Coastal Mortgage Solutions was to be identified by not only the name and logo, but by the professionals, you meet when you work with them.

“Sure, there are challenges bringing three distinct personalities together in one brand voice, but the CMS team welcomes and encourages a creative approach. It makes conceptualizing ideas easier and frankly, it makes photoshoots much more interesting. So when’s the next one, pro?”

Jess Austin, Strategy & Social Media Director


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North Georgia Technical College

Campaigning the heroes

When the pandemic hit in 2020, there wasn’t a single market that wasn’t affected in one way or another. Schools were closed which left higher education to rely on and push online classes harder than ever. When every other school is in the same predicament, the question for North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) was “How do we increase enrollment with a unique campaign that stands out from the competition?” 

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As the positive hype group we were born to be, h2o creative group agreed with NGTC that their angle needed to not be just another generic solution to a widespread problem, but an uplifting and encouraging pathway for their student’s future. NGTC offers a wide variety of programs that supply the frontline workforce. The need for these careers rose exponentially and it was clear our approach was to reach out to those who had a calling as an essential worker.

“We Train Heroes” emerged as the campaign focus. It immediately focuses on NGTC’s proven vocational programs and how important frontline careers are for communities. NGTC not only provides programs towards a future but a purposeful and fulfilling pathway for students to shine. Along with the bold tagline, we focused on the true “hero” photography styles of students in their uniform. The campaign provided a sense of confidence, hope, and necessity.  


The We Train Heroes campaign became more than just boosting enrollment. It created a sense of pride for the students who were pursuing those pathways and for NGTC to provide a meaningful future for that generation. There was a sudden need, and the North Georgia community addressed it. 

“Working with H2o creative group helped us focus our energy and messaging to make sure our communication strategy was right on target. They are a fabulous team with so much creative talent! Their team of brilliant minds made our We Train Heroes come alive with a personal spark during a really dark time for our community during Covid. Our community loved seeing our students and programs in the spotlight for their true heroism. I am very thankful we had h2o creative group to help us develop and launch this needed campaign in a crisis crunch time for our community.”

-Amy Hulsey, NGTC Vice President Community & College Relations, Marketing & Public Relations


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Coastal Pines

level up
your campaigns

Ideate. Design. Develop. That was the goal in 2013 when Okefenokee Tech and Altamaha Tech merged to become Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC).

Services

Working hand-in-hand with the board members, we developed the now current CPTC brand and subsequent marketing pieces. As their creative team, we design, develop and assist with many levels of their long-term brand marketing, including unique and attention-grabbing campaigns for semester enrollments. 

With a broad spectrum of programs offered by CPTC, we had the challenge of conceptualizing an enrollment campaign that would not only stay true to the brand but allow potential students to envision their future selves after graduation. 


Coastal Pines has reached record enrollment levels, established itself as the Model Technical College by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), and has won many awards along the way. The secret to their success? Dedication to supplying the workforce of Southeast Georgia, an amazing leadership team, and the encouragement they have given their marketing group (hey, that’s us) to keep pushing the boundaries.

Since the demographic was very broad, we wanted to create something unique in a way that it captures a wide audience. Something bold came from our research in looking at other technical colleges around the area. The goal is to always stand out in the crowd of others.

morgan rooks – designer


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Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce

keeping it local

In the fall 2019, the Brunswick Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce and Golden Isles Development Authority completed a rebranding project to create a cohesive appearance for the two organizations that work very closely with one another in promoting a shared vision. The two organizations chose h2o Creative Group marketing firm for their rebranding efforts including a comprehensive redesign of the organizations’ brands, logos, websites and communications collateral.

Services

The Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce’s primary responsibility is to its members and is committed to promoting a positive economic climate, through the support and initiation of projects and programs benefiting the community’s welfare. It was important for us to choose a local firm to complete this project and h2o Creative Group provided us a unique experience with understanding our mission, vision, and goals of the project.

WANT – We believe our business community has so many wonderful stories to tell and celebrate. When working with h2o, it is important to make sure we are reflecting the vision and mission of our organization while also telling our community stories of success and growth. 

EXPECTATIONS – The Chamber encourages a strong local economy and quality of life by promoting sound government through engaged membership. The creative team at h2o gets that and continues to help guide us in all our projects and through website development to make sure every video recorded, a story published, and event held we promote our key strengths through a creative vision and storytelling. 

TRAITS CAPTURED – Integrity, Results-Oriented, Collaborative, and Passionate are key traits h2o has helped capture through our Shop Local Campaigns, Grits and Issues, and numerous other community projects.

CONTINUED – We hope to continue our long-standing relationship with h2o Creative Group through many more collaborative-based projects.

CAMPAIGNS – The groove of h2o and the Chamber is in one phrase “a solid collaboration.” Consistent positive and timely communication is the key to a successful relationship between two companies. We have it with h2o. We can speak openly about our visions and goals as it relates to different campaigns, so the end products are exactly what we envisioned.

GOALS – The primary goal of every project we work on is to have it directly benefit our community. We strive to constantly access the needs of the business community and strive for innovative solutions to advance and promote a positive business climate. We believe that h2o does this well by adapting our website to meet the needs of our marketing and event efforts while also capturing the hard work we do through our events and community-based projects.

Conceptualizes – The creative team at h2o always provides creative suggestions on projects as we are building our marketing plan or creative makeup of an event. They say, “I think I get what you are trying to accomplish, here is how we can help” and we appreciate that approach. They want the Chamber to succeed and as a partner knowing we have a strong relationship with them helps us in moving forward with big and small projects with confidence.

The rebranding project was a huge step in forming the strong relationship the Chamber has with h2o. I would be willing to say it laid the groundwork for the entire relationship. They communicate very well with us and always follow up with questions or answers to meet our needs. We understand we are not their only partner, but when we work with them, we feel as though we are. It is a great partnership. 

Guest blog entry by: Ralph Staffins, Brunswick-Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce President and CEO


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