Meet Golden Media Star Rusty


Rescued Retriever Becomes Promotional Pooch for Coldwell Banker
By Quentin Roux, Marco Island Eagle Staff Writer, March 6, 2002

 
Rusty, the Golden Retriever being used in the local Coldwell Banker McFadden and Sprowls media promotions, makes acquaintance with agent Lou Jones. Looking on is regional marketing director, and owner of the dog, Dawn Wrobleski. Quentin Roux.

Coldwell Banker McFadden & Sprowls' newest employee is every manager's dream. She's not interested in a salary or benefits, is prepared to work any time, never pilfers office stationery or pens, never feigns illness and isn't the slightest bit interested in office politics.    
All that Rusty the Golden Retriever really wants is a reassuring pat on the head, the occasional bowl of food and a cozy place to snooze in canine comfort at night.
  
In exchange, she is the new promotional face on Coldwell Banker print, TV and Web site advertisements throughout the real estate company's dozen offices around Southwest Florida, including Marco Island.

Rusty's appearance on the local scene as official company mascot complements the use of a similar hound that appears in Coldwell Banker ads nationally as well as internationally. The dogs' promotional catchline is that of “personal retriever” in terms of searching for properties for clients, “fetching” them and delivering via e-mail.


Her job done, Rusty takes a break. Quentin Roux
 

Local Coldwell Banker Marketing Manager Dawn Wrobleski, who also happens to be a dog lover, came up with the idea of finding a local “Rusty,” and immediately received corporate approval. “I got her through a Golden Retriever rescue organization outside the Miami area while I was surfing the Internet looking for retriever photos for our own (local) company Web site,” Wrobleski said during a Marco promotion last week.
   
She arranged to take in a dog if one ever came up homeless in the area, and before long, Rusty materialized. It was October of last year, and when Wrobleski laid eyes on the dog, she was appalled. The animal was in a wretched condition.
   
“She was 50 pounds overweight, probably from eating continually out of Dumpsters,” Wrobleski said. “She couldn't even climb up and down stairs.” Wrobleski immediately put the dog on lean dog food and kept her separate from her two other dogs — a Catahoula 'coon hound and a Rottweiler/chow “pound puppy" cross — to prevent the retriever from nabbing extra food. Five months later, Rusty had slimmed remarkably. Her coat shone, her eyes glistened, and she was clearly ready for her new role as pin-up pooch for Coldwell Banker.

Today she's a veteran in the promotional game, featured on the local company division's GoRustyGo Web site, on business cards, homesite signs and even on T-shirts. Rusty's exposure, Wrobleski said, should further enhance the Southwest Florida Coldwell Banker operation, which rates No. 1 in Florida within the company and 12th internationally.
  
The Web site, Wrobleski added, “provides an innovative and user-friendly method of assisting consumers with their home-buying experience while driving leads to Coldwell Banker McFadden & Sprowls Sales associates.”  In effect, Rusty guides users to enter specifics about the type of home they are looking for, such as number of bathrooms, bedrooms and price range, she said.
  
Part of the idea of bringing in a local “Rusty,” Wrobleski continued, “was simply to put a fun spin on the promotional idea. She will be used in all advertising promotions in Lee and Collier counties.”
  
Each of the Coldwell Banker affiliates, such as the one on Marco Island, is independently owned and operated. The 12 local affiliates comprise 300 sales agents. Wrobleski said another Coldwell Banker initiative under way at the moment is promoting a “concierge service,” which (through Rusty as well) “fetches” services providers in the area. “People who buy from us become customers for life,” Wrobleski said, “and can take advantage of our recommended vendors from everything to landscaping, travel arrangements and even charter fishing.”
 




Golden Rusty and Mom DawnWe heard from Rusty's Mom Dawn [7/02]. Have you ever seen two more gorgeous girls? It seems that Rescued Rusty has now become Retired Rusty! Mom has also left Coldwell to work on her own, so she is enjoying being at home with her special girl.

According to Dawn, Rusty spends her days at home “catching lizards and playing fetch with her 'sister' Osa, a Rottie/Chow Mix and 'brother' Zeke, a Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog.” This Golden gal, of course, makes the family complete with her sweet disposition and her loyal Velcro ways.

And, this is not just another pretty face. Rusty's got brains and beauty — able to understand every command in both Spanish and English. We are soooooo jealous!

 


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