Town decides on promotional advertising
Amy Gregson – Times Reporter
The Town of Strathmore has finalized its decision for a new promotional advertising campaign to encourage people and businesses to move to the town.
A main campaign of advertising on Calgary city buses will once again be used to encourage people to come to Strathmore.
“From previous experience quite a few years ago, it was very successful,” said Dwight Stanford, CAO. “We are going ahead and we are going to spend $15,000 of our budget on advertising on buses.”
The town advertised on the back of Calgary buses a few years ago. The ads featured sheep walking down the road and the saying “we hear there’s room in Strathmore.”
Stanford said a of number of members of the promotion committee were around when the original campaign was done, and said it was very successful.
“They said ‘if you have something that’s very successful, why wouldn’t we do it again,’” said Stanford.
Stanford said they want to be on the back of 23 buses in the next three weeks and will stay there for a few months, including during the Calgary Stampede.
“We think it is an ideal time because there are people from all over the province and everywhere else coming [to Stampede]” said Stanford.
Town Council decided to increase the advertising budget to promote the town this year to $30,000 because the economy was slower and they wanted to get people coming to Strathmore again.
A town hall meeting held in December was well attended by members of the community to start brainstorming ideas of what the town could do to help promote itself.
A smaller committee was then formed and has been working out plans and ideas ever since.
With new subdivisions opening up soon, Stanford said they want people coming out and looking at the area.
“This year is a perfect time, when you have show homes and interest in lots and houses,” he said.
Approximately $10,000 will also be spent on a radio campaign to promote tourism in Strathmore and highlight events such as Spring Fest and Canada Day.
The town will be applying to the province to help fund the radio campaign.
The town will also be spending $10,000, as it does every year, toward advertising in other mediums such as magazines.