Marketing should focus on schools
McCann wants to get students back
Shorewood — The School Board was encouraged by positive feedback from a marketing survey of residents, but members want the school district to be emphasized to draw more people and students to the village and public schools.
Village officials are continuing to refine marketing strategies in response to the final report of the survey conducted by Murphy Marketing Research and released at Tuesday's School Board meeting.
The purpose of the survey, Superintendent Blane McCann said, is to determine how to market Shorewood to potential residents, investors and businesses. He says the survey, gathered from 2006 to the present, shows that Shorewood residents are generally pleased with current marketing, but still have their concerns.
The survey gathered feedback from various Shorewood advertisements like the village's Web site, walkshorewood.com, Shorewood Today magazine and others. Survey responses to various Shorewood advertisements range from "like the idea" and "very useful" to "don't understand the value" and "(the promotional materials) are the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of."
Survey responses are anonymous.
The final report indicates that, despite any criticisms, the majority of Shorewood residents liked the ads and agreed that they depicted Shorewood as a "conveniently located village, a walkable community and a great place to live."
McCann was pleased to see the positive response by residents, but disappointed in the lack of feedback from local Realtors. He thinks the marketing should ultimately be used to draw in new residents and business, as well as sell people on the Shorewood School District.
"We want to bring back students (into the Shorewood School District) who live in the community but attend private schools," said McCann.
Members of the board also said that the school district is the key to the value of the community and should be the emphasis of further marketing.
"People don't move to Shorewood for the shopping on Oakland Avenue," said board Vice-President John Carlton. "They come here for the schools."
School Board President Paul Zovic agrees.
"It's because of the schools that Shorewood is a desirable place to move and raise a family," Zovic said.
.jpg)
Five North Shore police departments are teaming up on a new blog that provides residents with the crime prevention and safety tips, and news about community service projects and events throughout the area.
We encourage your comments but will strive to remove discussion that contains personal attacks, racial slurs, profanity or other inappropriate material as outlined in our guidelines. We post-moderate comments on most content, but may choose to pre-moderate some comments so please be patient if you don't see yours appear right way. We also ask for your help by reporting comments you think are inappropriate.
Please login or register to post a comment.