By Mike Hixenbaugh
Rocky Mount Telegram

Sunday, October 19, 2008

TARBORO — Leaders in one of North Carolina’s more historic towns hope to utilize new-aged marketing techniques to reverse a more than 30-year trend of stagnant population growth.

Tarboro’s new Web site featuring four promotional videos and other multimedia went live this week, drawing hundreds of online visitors within hours.

“Web sites and the Internet in general appears to be the most effective avenue as far as attracting people and getting your name out,” Town Manager Sam Noble said. “Tarboro and Edgecombe County have lost people — more than for 10 years — for more like 30 years. I really think this site will help us to attract new residents as well as commercial and industrial growth.”

The Web site was designed by Circumerro Creative Media Agency of Jackson Hole, Wyo., for $44,000 and replaces Tarboro’s original site, which was designed more than five years ago.

Four promotional videos were filmed and posted on the site, anchoring an overlying message promoting Tarboro’s history, business atmosphere, tourist attractions and comfortable lifestyle.

“Tarboro is an inclusive community of individuals who view small town living as a refreshing tonic from congested city life,” according to the Web site’s welcome message.

The site was scheduled to launch last month but was delayed after Councilman Melvin Muhammad voiced concerns over a lack of diversity in the videos. After reviewing the newly edited video clips this week, the Town Council unanimously approved the new site.

“I think it looks pretty good,” Noble said, noting that the videos remind him why he loves the community. “It certainly should be an asset to town. But it will be an ongoing project. We’ll be adding content to the site regularly.”

The Web site was constructed for maximum search connectivity, Circumerro Creative Media Agency owner Latham Jenkins said. If someone does a search on canoeing in North Carolina, for example, Tarboro’s new site should pop up.

The promotional videos have already drawn response from a number of YouTube viewers.

“I visited Tarboro for a couple of weeks back in February and fell in love with your great town,” one commenter wrote about the videos. “If I was ever gonna emigrate from the UK, Tarboro would be my ideal destination.”

The Bank of Jackson Hole Campaign is underway and getting noticed with the following comment that came in the other day:

“As a Communication/Public Relations Major from my old college days – I could not help but send all of you an email to let you know how incredibly brilliant I think your new ad campaign is.  It is not often I find an ad in our local paper that is worthy of attention and my time to read.  Bravo to your marketing team for their creativity and local appeal.  The ads are a homerun. ”

-Christina Feuz

Thanks for the feedback, Christina. We appreciate it, but can’t take all the credit as the Bank of Jackson Hole clients and customers for the ads have been overflowing with positive experiences to share. More ads to come.

Taking advantage of a choice summer afternoon, the Circumerro gang ducked out of the office for an hour to scale the mighty Snow King Resort, fondly referred to by locals as “the king”. Although the Friday fresh air was incentive enough, the office signed on to make their lunch hour count and Climb the King in support of the Jackson Hole Community Counseling Center.