Osage Nation - Million Dollar Elm Casinos

The Osage Nation currently operates five casinos (in Tulsa, Sand Springs, Bartlesville, Hominy and Pawhuska).

The issue.

Waller was hired by the Osage Nation to help develop public relations/communications plans for the tribe’s large casinos in Sand Springs, Tulsa and Bartlesville. In addition to helping communicate information about the casinos to the general public, Waller has helped the Osage Nation develop appropriate messaging and positive communications about the gambling issue – a topic not looked upon favorably by everyone in the community.

The solution.

Our work around the opening of the Osage Nation’s first large casino in Sand Springs began with communicating information about the facility to the general public. The client’s goal for opening day was to have five members of the Tulsa media in attendance. Waller had more than 20 media outlets attend the opening and recorded more than 50 broadcast story “hits” and 20 print articles announcing the casino’s arrival for opening week alone. Likewise, the casino marketing team’s attendance goal for opening day was 750-1,000 visitors. This goal was quickly surpassed, and they had to close the gates after more than 5,800 people came through the doors from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on opening day.

Our communications work for the opening of the Osage Nation’s second large casino in north Tulsa was even more extensive. Waller & Company assisted the MDE marketing team with all aspects of public/media relations planning and execution – from VIP lists of north Tulsa opinion leaders to photo ops of charitable activities. The results: 184 hits in Tulsa print, TV and radio media. The casino’s parking lot was full the day of opening, more than 26,000 individuals were enrolled in its Player’s Club after one week, and one hundred area businesses are participating in the Partner’s Program.

Equally significant, however, was the work our team did in both cities to create and communicate appropriate “messaging” for relationship-building initiatives with area civic leaders, businesses, media and future patrons. This included researching and developing information pieces for gambling addiction counseling and helping to identify and coordinate opportunities for the Osage tribe to be an active community partner and support various area and nonprofit organizations.

Waller also recently helped the Osage Nation successfully launch and publicize the opening of its newest casino in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with comparable enrollment numbers realized in the casino’s Player’s Club after one week.