The Marianas unveils ‘Far From Ordinary’ brand to drive tourism renewal via indie agency Circul8

The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) has launched a new global brand platform, “Far From Ordinary,” signalling a new era for the Western Pacific archipelago as it positions itself as a distinct, experience-led destination for travellers across Asia, the US, and beyond.

Developed in partnership with award-winning Australian B Corp-certified creative agency Circul8, the new identity celebrates the Marianas’ unique mix of cultural authenticity, pristine natural beauty, and boundless adventure, encapsulating a place that is both remote and deeply connected to its people and history.

The new brand is the result of six months of intensive strategic and creative work by Circul8 and the MVA team, in collaboration with tourism strategists Carolyn Childs and Chris Flynn, who contributed their expertise in destination research and responsible tourism development. The process included island-wide workshops with industry stakeholders in Saipan, Tinian and Rota, as well as extensive market research with over 9,000 participants across six key visitor markets: Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China and the United States.

“From the beginning, our goal was to create a brand that the Marianas community could own and the world could fall in love with,” said Alana Stocks, Founder and Managing Director of Circul8. “We immersed ourselves in the islands’ stories, their dual indigenous cultures and celestial navigation traditions. ‘Far From Ordinary’ emerged as a truth that honours what makes The Marianas incomparable: it is surreal, deep and real in equal measure.”

Phil Watson, Creative Strategy Partner at Circul8, added: “Creatively, our aim was to uncover a voice and visual language that could only belong to the Marianas. The islands are a world apart from our ordinary lives, but the spirit of their people and place connects deeply with travellers seeking meaning. The result is a brand that feels alive, contemporary and true to its roots without overselling it.”

The creative platform draws on the workshop insight that “we are so much more than our clear blue waters. We’re a vibrant blend of cultures with a remarkable history”. The brand system features a new visual identity inspired by the Marianas’ skies and seas, local textures and the islands’ celestial heritage, alongside campaign imagery and storytelling content that highlight immersive experiences such as diving WWII wrecks, stargazing over the Mariana Trench and exploring Chamorro and Carolinian cultural sites.

The brand strategy was underpinned by YouGov audience research, which found that nearly six in ten global travellers (58%) seek immersive or interactive experiences that bring destinations to life, and 46% prioritise sustainability when choosing where to visit.

In markets such as South Korea and Taiwan, over 60% of prospective travellers expressed strong interest in destinations offering adventure and cultural authenticity, placing the Marianas in a prime position to capture these travellers seeking both escape and connection.

“The research confirmed what we felt intuitively,” said Stocks. “People are craving destinations that feel genuine and alive, where the experience is grounded in nature and community. The Marianas embodies that perfectly.”

For the MVA, the new global brand is a strategic lever to rebuild the islands’ tourism economy and broaden appeal across markets.

“The new brand celebrates who we are, a place of deep heritage and genuine warmth, while positioning us for future growth,” said Jamika Taijeron, Managing Director of the Marianas Visitors Authority. “It gives us a powerful, unifying message for our community and partners, and a clear invitation for travellers seeking something truly extraordinary. The Marianas is not about being the biggest or the busiest, it is about being unforgettable.”

The brand rollout will be staged and include destination marketing campaigns in multiple languages including English, Korean, Japanese and Chinese languages. A new mascot, updated global website, trade and digital assets, social content and video series highlighting local people and experiences will follow.

The Marianas global branding project was initiated earlier in 2025 to revitalise the destination’s global image and support sustainable economic growth. Circul8’s creative and strategic work follows their collaboration with the MVA on global audience research, visitor insights, and community engagement designed to ensure the brand reflects local voices and values.