Johnson Development Wins 'Best of' Honor at Houston American Marketing Association Awards on March 7, 2011

(Houston, TX – March 8, 2011)                  

The Johnson Development Corp. won Best of Category in the Real Estate: Residential Builders/Developers category in the American Marketing Association – Houston's 2010 Marketer of the Year competition.

 

The win was for marketing efforts in two of the developer's master-planned communities, Woodforest and Riverstone.

 

Selected by a vote of AMA Houston members combined with voting by a local panel of marketing professionals and educators, winners had to achieve objectives and overcome obstacles to address marketing challenges during 2010.

 

"As a newly introduced community in a still-struggling housing market and economy, Woodforest certainly faced challenges in 2010," said Virgil Yoakum, general manager of Woodforest. "But we ended the year with nearly 100 homes sold, 140 homes started by our builders and 249 residents. That's impressive for a new community regardless of the market."

 

Riverstone also faced challenges with the economy in 2010, albeit different ones from Woodforest.

 

"Well established in Fort Bend County, Riverstone has long been marketed as a luxury home community," said Tom Wilcox, Riverstone's general manager. "But in 2010 both home sizes and prices contracted. It proved challenging for a community known for large homes with staring prices above $200,000 and most base pricing above $300,000."

 

Riverstone also ended the year strong despite market trials, with more than 200 home sales and an average sales price of $450,000.

 

Special events helped both communities increase exposure and entice buyers. Woodforest hosted two large events — the American Dream Showcase of Homes and the 2010 Pumpkin Patch and Parade of Homes, which drew thousands into the community. Riverstone also welcomed thousands and received significant media exposure during a visit by acclaimed street artist Tracy Lee Stum, who painted a reality-challenging 3-D masterpiece in a custom home in Riverstone.

 

Both communities also strengthened ties to their respective Realtor communities. For example, Woodforest staff made approximately 300 realty office visits in 2010 and hosted more than a dozen Realtor events in the community.

 

"We are very proud of the success of both Riverstone and Woodforest," said Larry Johnson, chief executive officer of The Johnson Development Corp. "Their staff worked extremely hard during the year and they deserve this recognition from their marketing peers."

 

The annual AMA Houston's Marketer of the Year program recognizes exceptional marketing by Houston area companies, organizations and institutions over a field of 42 industry categories. The Houston chapter is considered one of the American Marketing Association's best, having won AMA Chapter of the Year five of the past seven years.

 

The Johnson Development Corp. is one of Houston's largest residential developers, with other active projects including Sienna Plantation, Fall Creek, Tuscan Lakes, Edgewater and Imperial. The corporation also developed Silverlake in Pearland. For more information, visit www.johnsondevelopment.com.