By Maddy Vitale
When it comes to Sea Isle City, it is all about the connections … to family, friends and, of course, the ocean.
Sea Isle Tourism Commission members listened Thursday as Mickey Coskey, owner of Seven Mile Publishing, the marketing consultant for the commission, unveiled the newest commercial featuring the marketing campaign’s new slogan, “Reconnect in Sea Isle!”
In the 30-second commercial, a boy and girl are playing in the sand, a couple is walking hand and hand along the beach, friends watch the sunset at the water’s edge from their beach chairs, and visitors taste tantalizing summer foods as well as snippets about shopping. The message is wrapped in the theme of reconnecting with each other.
She said planning the campaign everyone agreed that reconnecting was the best theme to attract groups of people. “Everyone feels good about it,” she added.
The commercial, and the new slogan, replacing “The Forecast is Fun,” are fresh ways to market to people of all ages in the city’s family-friendly advertising campaign.
In January, Coskey detailed a nearly $100,000 marketing campaign for 2019 designed to attract visitors through use of social media platforms, and more traditional forms of advertising such as billboards, guides and print media. Key parts of Sea Isle’s tourism strategy will also include a Facebook campaign and YouTube videos.
As of February, the Facebook page includes a “Countdown to summer,” featuring daily posts on Sea Isle attractions and events. Posts highlight family and friends reconnecting in Sea Isle. People are encouraged to send their photos and videos to the Facebook page.
With tons of competition from not only neighboring shore towns, but up the coast, Sea Isle is focusing efforts on highlighting everything from the beaches and promenade, to entertainment, shopping and eateries, not to mention paddle boarding and other sports.
“Reconnecting, people love it. We get photos every day with stories and tons of kids, a group of people sailing together, a group of teen boys together,” Coskey noted.
In a recently redesigned website www.visitsic.com Coskey said, there is information easily available to the viewer.
There is important information across the banner of the home page including, for example, how Townsends Inlet Bridge is closed until May for reconstruction.
An array of information is available on recreation, beach combing, and there are photos and press releases about events, including the St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday.
