The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — Mike Rehfus, Writer

Carrying the Columbus Zoo through the unexpected.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has plenty of fans. But in 2022, high profile scandals ultimately cost the institution its accreditation from the American Zoological Association (AZA). Rather than look back, the Columbus Zoo Family of parks (The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Zoombeezi Bay, Safari Golf Club, and The Wilds) put its best faces forward, beginning with the first summer campaign focused on the unexpected adventures that await at all four parks.

Projecting a positive presence across every corner of the market, leading strong into summer and staying creative in the low-traffic months, the whole family of parks thrived. When the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium regained its AZA accreditation in 2023, they’d not only maintained their audience’s goodwill, they’d expanded it dramatically.

Putting the call out to get ready for a amazing summer at every park in the Columbus Zoo family. Yes, that’s my voice—a scratch track that became THE track. Also note the bumper stickers created for the parks exclusively for the spot. I’m unusually proud of them.

Summer Teaser TV

Across all media, audiences were engaged to encounter the unexpected at the any and all parks in the Columbus Zoo family.

Summer Campaign TV

Winter at the Wilds spot

The Wilds, out in Zanesville, is open year round, and this quick spot nudges folks out into the cold and into an unforgettable day trip.

Shoulder Month Ads

Getting folks to the various parks takes a bit more effort when it’s not summer, haunted house season, or Wild Lights. These ready-to-run ads cover off on the various parks, and approach different audiences where they live—as conservationists, homeschool guardians, or cabin fever sufferers.

Come chill with the wildest souls in Zanesville at The Wilds.

Dropping temperatures got you down? Head inside to the Shores and Stingray Bay at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and spend the afternoon in the tropics.

Beat the dropping temperatures and head inside for heartwarming encounters with the residents of the Polar Frontier at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Feel like fleeing the cold? Head inside and bask with the residents of Asia Quest and The Africa Event Center at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has helped return hundreds of injured manatees to the wild. Join us in support of our conservation mission. Become a member today.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium efforts to protect Ohio’s endangered hellbender salamander may be its last, best chance at survival. Join us. Become a member today.

A membership to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the one gift they’ll never return, but keep coming back to all year long.
CTA: Wrap up your shopping now. — A membership to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is the one gift they’ll never return, but keep coming back to all year long. CTA: Wrap up your shopping now.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium partners with a global consortium fighting for this fearsome, but endangered creature. Join us. Become a member today.

Memories are made in all temperatures and year round. Come experience it all for yourself at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and The Wilds.

Some memories stick around longer than others, but a trip to the zoo is always sweet.

Even when the weather turns cold, learning and adventure are still in season at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and the Wilds. Forecast your next trip today.

Move over marshmallows: learning and adventure are still in season at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Inside and out, there’s plenty to do at the zoo.

Game doesn’t get any bigger, fluffier or scalier than this. Join us for nonstop action in every season.

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You can’t have a fantastic time at the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks if there’s nobody to let you it, serve you a snack, keep the lines moving or the water wet.