W. TERRY SMITH
EDITOR

The Daily Southerner / October 16, 2008 11:10 am

The Town of Tarboro’s new community Web site (http://www.tarboro-nc.com) was launched Wednesday afternoon. It is focused on telling its story to prospective visitors and newcomers. “The new site is geared towards attracting people to our great town,” Town Manager Sam Noble said. “Our intent was to assure that anyone interested in visiting or relocating knew what we had to offer.” The new site features four community videos of local residents telling Tarboro’s story through their experiences growing up and living in the community.

“We desired to have locals talking authentically about what Tarboro means to them,” said Latham Jenkins, president of Circumerro Media, the Web site’s publisher. “Authenticity is always an enduring way to help others understand Tarboro’s value proposition and we achieved this through the video content.” YouTube users have already been commenting on the video content:”I am moving from Upstate NY to Tarboro in a few weeks, and I appreciate this video very much” and “I visited Tarboro for a couple of weeks back in February and fell in love with your great town. If I was ever gonna emigrate from the UK, Tarboro would be my ideal destination.”

Beyond the videos, the new Web site was developed in what Jenkins noted was a search engine friendly architecture to assure an expanded presence in the search engines. The former Web site was developed about five years ago, according to Town Planner Troy Lewis. Circumerro Media is a Web design, publishing and branding company that creates engaging experiences “based on the simple principle that your company has a story – a story we’ll help you tell.” It was founded by Jenkins in 1995 and is based in Jackson Hole, Wyo.

It was a labor of love for Jenkins, a Tarboro native and the 38-year-old son of Town Councilman John and Sandy Jenkins. “From the beginning it’s been, hopefully, a reflection of my experiences growing up in Tarboro and captures the voice of the community today,” Jenkins said.

He won the contract of $44,000 in April and came in under that at $43,280, $22,400 of which is covered by a grant from ElectriCities. Jenkins contributed $5,000 worth of video “to ensure the success needed.” When he first presented a version for review by Town Council on Aug. 11, it was requested the site show a more diverse population. When council viewed a preview of the site and two of the minivideos on Monday night, it was approved unanimously.

Latham Jenkins giving presentation to Town of Tarboro

As published in the Daily Southern, August 12, 2008:

Tarboro Mayor and Council were given a preview Monday night of the new town Web site.  Latham Jenkins, a Tarboro native whose Circumerro Media was hired in April to redesign the site did the honors.

As published in the Daily Southern, August 12, 2008

Tarboro's Theather Marquee thanking Circumerro Media

MAYOR AND Council will get a preview of the town’s new Web site Monday night during its monthly meeting.  Latham Jenkins, president of Circumerro Media of Jackson Hole, Wyo., was hired in April to redesign the Web site.  His work will be reviewed by Council members and staff next week, recommended changes will be made and the site launched by the end of August, as planned.

“We are excited to present our work on Monday night to Town council and staff, ” Jenkins said.  “The town’s residents have been so supportive through this processs of building the site’s content and I am grateful.  I believe the site represents the town for all it’s great qualities it offers and it will be a real marketing asset for the community.  As a community marketer, I applaud Council and staff for their forward thinking”.

Jenkins shot 10 hours of video that has been boiled down into four three-minute segments. Tarboro’s Dee Harper wrote the copy; Tarboro’s Bill Goode took some photos.  “We think we have a good site that speaks to any newcomers considering moving to Tarboro,” Jenkins said.  “We want to reach out to them.”