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 website, featuring four promotional videos and other multimedia, went live this week, drawing hundreds of online visitors within hours.
“Websites and the Internet in general appear 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 website 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,” the website’s welcome message informs.
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 the town. But it will be an ongoing project. We’ll be adding content to the site regularly.”
The website 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.”
