Rockport hires PR firm to spur tourism

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE CHANGES IN POLICY: Commenters are required to have a username with a valid and verified email address. Gloucestertimes.com reserves the right to ban the IP address of any commenter (person) found using multiple aliases under multiple e-mail addresses in a deceptive manner. Posts that do not meet site standards, which can be found here, will be removed.

If you are experiencing problems logging in or posting comments, please contact Disqus' help center by clicking here.

comments powered by Disqus

December 20, 2012

Rockport hires PR firm to spur tourism

By James Niedzinski Staff Writer The Gloucester Daily Times Thu Dec 20, 2012, 12:00 AM EST

ROCKPORT — The Gloucester-based public relations firm Matter Communication has been picked to help revitalize Rockport’s off-season tourism as well as promoting younger generations to flock to town.

Town officials have hired the firm on a one-year, $25,000 contract, with the Board of Selectmen signing off on the agreement and allocating the money from the town’s free cash carried over from fiscal 2012 budget and last spring’s Town Meeting.

The addition of Rockport also expands the outreach of Matter Communication, which has contracts with Gloucester and Essex. Those contracts are funded privately, according Peter Webber, senior vice president for the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

Webber said this is one of the first instances of a public relation firm being funded by taxpayers.

The Essex chapter is funded by the Essex Merchants Group, while the Gloucester involvement is backed by Gloucester Public Relations.

Bob Coviello, chairman of the Essex Merchants Group, said he was thrilled Rockport is joining the public relations team.

He said Matter Communication has been thoroughly involved by increasing tourism and highlighting the aspects of Essex after being hired earlier this year.

“Matter’s public relations work is part of our overall promotional campaign which includes public relations, print advertising, internet marketing and promotion of local events,” Coviello said in an email to the Times.

The results have been excellent, he said, adding that if one town or city benefits, all of Cape Ann can see the benefits through more tourism and public access.

Lana Razdan, who chairs the Rockport Economic Development Committee, said the goal is to increase tourism during fall and spring.

“When the townspeople entrusted us with their money at the Spring Town Meeting, we wanted to make sure they got good return on their investment,” she said.

She hopes Rockport will benefit from long term investments as well, such as younger generations moving to Rockport and starting a family.

While she said the benefits of having a public relations firm may not be immediate, differences will be seen down the road.

In addition, Rockport High School students will be selected to do work study and internship programs in social media and marketing with local companies and organizations. Come springtime, students will also be recruited to help with town improvements, such as improving the Harvey Park information booth and creaking a Rockport walking trail.

For more information about Rockport’s plans to bring economic growth to town, email promotethetownofrockport@gmail.com.

James Niedzinski can be reached at 978-283-7000, x 3455 or at jniedzinski@gloucestertimes.com.