The Billboard King of Minnesota
Have you ever wondered who created that billboard you see literally everywhere in Minnesota (Shown Below)? As a marketing agency, we love the story of how a regular guy took something and ran with it creating one of the best-known brands in his target market. Also as a marketing agency we had to know who was/is behind the design of it. We did some digging and have found an answer to the question of Who Designs Kris Lindahl’s Billboards. Read on to learn the whole story or scroll to the bottom to see who it is.
Who is Kris Lindahl?
Kris Lindahl, a name that resonates well beyond the boundaries of his Minnesota home base, has turned heads with his innovative approach to real estate marketing. Most notably, he’s the guy you’ve seen on countless billboards across the Twin Cities, arms outstretched, welcoming you with a promise of making real estate transactions as smooth as possible. But Kris is more than just a billboard personality; he’s a real estate mogul who has built his brand on accessibility, transparency, and a bit of clever marketing that sticks with you.
The Iconic Billboards of Kris Lindahl
A Local Landmark? Some Minnesotans say yes
Drive through any major highway in the Twin Cities, and it’s hard to miss the distinctive billboards featuring Kris with his arms wide open. These aren’t just advertisements; they’re conversation starters, designed to be instantly memorable and highly visible. The simplicity of the message, combined with the consistent visual theme, makes these billboards an effective tool for building brand recognition. They convey a sense of welcome and reliability, traits that every homebuyer and seller hopes to find in a real estate agent.
Why Billboards?
In a digital age where online ads dominate, Kris Lindahl’s decision to invest heavily in billboards might seem counterintuitive. However, this old-school approach has reaped massive rewards by cutting through the digital clutter. Billboards ensure continuous exposure, reaching people where online ads might not—during their daily commutes, on road trips, and in urban explorations and when you have as many as him it’s hard not to see it. This strategy not only captures the attention of potential clients but also ingrains the Kris Lindahl brand in the local landscape.
So Who Designs Kris Lindahl’s Billboards – Answer Below:
The Designers Behind the Original Billboards (2017 to 2020)
From a podcast that Kris was on he stated that the original arms-out idea came to him when working on becoming the opposite of what people thought of a realtor. He stated that every picture you ever saw of a realtor had their arms crossed, so he decided to do the opposite and “Arms Out” was born. From there Kris bought around 100 billboards in early 2017 and with the help of Media Bridge the iconic design was born. From there these billboards continued to pop up and grow to the point where anywhere you looked in the Twin Cities there was a good chance Kris was watching you with his arms out.
Kris Lindahl’s New Billboards (2021 to Today) – Meet Benji Wedel
In 2021 Kris decided to switch things up and brought an in-house graphic designer on the team. From there his new designer took the reigns and helped reimagine the Kris Lindahl brand. As Kris continued to grow so did his marketing. The new designer worked on a wide array of projects including billboards, signage at stadiums like Target Field and the Excel (Shown Below), and a wide array of other collateral.
So, who is behind these eye-catching billboards you have seen all over? It’s none other than Benji Wedel. A seasoned designer known for his ability to meld visuals with impactful messaging, Benji brings a unique blend of creativity and strategic thinking to his projects. His work with Kris Lindahl’s billboards is a testament to his design philosophy: clear, concise, and visually engaging. Benji understands that in real estate marketing, as in all types of advertising, first impressions are everything. His designs make those first impressions lasting and positive.
Benji’s Design Approach
Benji’s approach to billboard design focuses on simplicity and recognition. He chooses bold images and straightforward messages that can be understood at a glance. He stated in an interview “If a billboard has more than 6 words there’s a likely chance it’s not a good billboard”. This is crucial for billboard advertising, where viewers may only have a few seconds to absorb the content. By maintaining a consistent theme and style, Benji’s designs focus on each billboard not just being seen but being remembered. This can be seen in his Kris work alongside other designs like his work for Rollerblade and The NorthShore Inline Marathon (shown below)
Want to learn more about him or learn how to hire him? See his Dribble here:
Our Thoughts: The Impact of Good Design on Marketing
Building a Brand Identity
Effective and consistent design is critical in building a strong brand identity. It’s about more than aesthetics; it’s about crafting a narrative that resonates with your target market. The designs for Kris Lindahl don’t sell real estate services; they sell a guarantee of trust and expertise. This branding strategy has helped Kris Lindahl not only to stand out from the competition but has also made him a thing of legend with his “Guaranteed Offer”.
Lessons in Visibility and Consistency
Rule #1 in marketing Consistency is key. By keeping the visual branding consistent across all billboards, they have created a signature look that is instantly recognizable. This consistent branding strategy ensures that when people see the arms-outstretched pose, they immediately think of Kris Lindahl.
Going Beyond the Billboard
The true essence of the Kris Lindahl brand shines when you see how Kris creates branded content beyond the billboards. One notable example is the Minnesota Twins 7th Inning Stretch, proudly brought to you by Kris Lindahl Real Estate. This comical yet eye-catching display effectively translates the familiar imagery from the road to a new medium, enhancing the brand’s recognition and impact.
A similar strategy is evident in Kris’s partnership with the Minnesota Wild. By frequently updating digital banners to align with current events, playoffs, or hot topics in Minnesota, Kris and Benji ensure the brand stays relevant and engaging. These fresh, creative approaches keep the Kris Lindahl message in front of Minnesotans, consistently reinforcing the brand’s presence and connection to the community.
So now that you know Who Designs Kris Lindahl’s Billboards make sure to take his notes to hear. Focus on short precise marketing that can tell a story in 5 seconds or less.
At Finden Marketing, we admire this blend of innovation and simplicity and strive to bring the same level of creativity and strategic insight to all our projects. Whether you’re looking to launch a new campaign or revitalize your brand, our team is here to help you make a memorable impression in the market. We hope this answers your questions on Who Designs Kris Lindahl’s Billboards.
WHO IS FINDEN MARKETING?
Finden Marketing is a Duluth, Minnesota-based marketing firm that provides comprehensive marketing solutions to all sizes of businesses. With plans starting at less than $1,500 Finden Marketing works with all marketing budgets. Their team offers a range of services including market research, advertising, branding, public relations, digital marketing, and website design. With a team of experienced marketing professionals and a commitment to delivering results, Finden Marketing helps businesses achieve their marketing goals. Furthermore, this helps them reach new levels of success. Whether a business is looking to establish a strong brand presence, increase visibility, drive sales, or build customer loyalty, Finden Marketing has the expertise and resources to help make it happen.
Additionally, with awards including the Best Consulting Firm in Duluth, Best Graphic Designer in Duluth, Best Website Designer in Duluth, and Best of Minnesota. Finden Marketing is here to help you with your marketing needs. Get your free business consultation to see how you can grow your business through marketing, today. To learn more about Finden Marketing visit us at our office in Duluth, Minnesota.
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