With its own naval base, a rapidly growing defense industry, ready-to-develop sites, and a strategic location, Charles County is positioned for success in the defense sector. Add in public-private collaborations, a highly skilled workforce, and a competitive cost of doing business, and the county offers defense businesses many powerful advantages. But, in today’s competitive landscape, success isn’t always just about what you offer—it’s about who knows about it. Visibility matters. So, how do you get on the radar? You tell your story.
To raise its profile and reach its target audience, PPR Strategies worked with the Charles County Economic Development Department (EDD) to craft and execute a targeted marketing strategy that would position the county as a serious player in the industry.
To bring Charles County’s defense narrative to life, we focused on those businesses building, growing, and innovating within the community. By showcasing the work of key partners, such as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) and the United States Bomb Technician Association (USBTA), we highlighted the county’s increasingly important role in national defense. Through targeted media outreach and curated pitch efforts, we secured coverage in national industry publications, including Clearance Jobs, Inside Defense, National Defense Magazine, Seapower Magazine, and The Federal Drive. These placements showcased Charles County as a hub for defense industry growth and talent.
The ad campaign consisted of a mix of event advertising and digital ads. By promoting their strengths at key industry events—such as USBTA’s Operation City of Palms Training Exercise in Fort Myers, Florida, and the National Armaments Consortium’s Advanced Weapons Technology Summit in Huntsville, Alabama—Charles County connected directly with defense decision-makers and industry leaders, expanding its reach into influential markets. In the digital realm, PPR Strategies identified The Washington Post as the ideal platform to reach a defense- focused audience. By placing a series of in-context ads, the campaign delivered over 765,000 impressions and more than 2,000 clicks, amplifying awareness and driving engagement with the defense space.
Place-space marketing requires precision. Every community has its own story, its own strengths, and its own audience. Craft a strategy that meets your goals and meets your audience exactly where they are. Want to get started telling the story of your place? Contact our team!
