MARIS
A new brand identity and website reshapes a regional MLS identity.
- Brand Story
- Brand Identity
- User Interface
- Responsive Web Design
- Content Strategy
- Print Collateral
Based in St. Louis, MARIS is a regional MLS with aspirations to change the way its constituency and the industry at large view what an MLS can provide its membership. Led by a new CEO and Marketing Director, they were looking for a new brand story with a website strategy and visual design that would put people first and prioritize their users’ needs and wants ahead of any institutional requirements.
Content-first approach
We worked with MARIS to create a truly content-first approach to their website redesign. Our strategy centered on placing support material that previously had been locked up behind a login screen front and center. The approach required a strong UX pattern and a reusable card design system.
1000watt also created a new logo and visual system to support MARIS’ vision of becoming more accessible to its members. We used illustrations and an energetic color palette to help communicate the friendly and helpful demeanor of the MARIS staff and leadership. And we incorporated multiple mixed-media touch points like video bumpers and print assets to extend this system further.
A website that resonates
MARIS enjoyed a significant spike in user visits and has had record high webinar registrations and video plays since launching the new site. The site also received positive industry acclaim:
“I’m glad to see more and more MLS providers taking the time to focus on their own company website. MARIS’ new site is going to be hard to top. “
-Greg Robertson, Vendor Alley
“[MARIS] sent a wakeup call to all MLSs with old websites that it’s time to ditch their dinosaur sites and rethink how to engage and better serve their members online.”
-Kevin Hawkins, WAV Group
The MARIS story we crafted required a dynamic content strategy when it came to print. A variety of environments and use cases demanded a form that would act as both a self-guided tour and face-to-face presentation tool. We helped them develop and produce a custom, interactive folder that housed a letter written by their CEO, Tim Dain, a die-cut holder for a personalized note card from the sender, and a pocket that housed cards intended to quickly deliver on all of MARIS’ features and benefits.
