City Council
MEETING DATE: 1/12/2015
TITLE:
Title
CGI Communications Community Video Showcase Program
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FROM:
Leisa Lukes, Economic Development Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
This item is presented for Council information.
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BACKGROUND:
CGI Communications, formed in 1988, is a leading provider of high-impact marketing solutions to communities and small businesses. CGI has partnered with the US Conference of Mayors and the National League of Cities to provide community videos to showcase and promote the assets and attributes of communities throughout the United States. The City of Cathedral City has been provided an opportunity to participate in this Video Showcase marketing program at no cost to the City.
DISCUSSION:
CGI Communications contacted City staff in early 2014 to participate in the Community Video Showcase Program and has since produced four videos for the City. These videos will be featured on the City's official website as a marketing tool to promote the City. Each streaming video is approximately one minute and provides an innovative way to engage and communicate with our online audience, particularly those who are not familiar with all that Cathedral City has to offer. The videos can also be sent directly to individual email addresses, providing an effective economic development tool to showcase Cathedral City. In addition, the videos are included on the Relocate.org website, the largest online community video network in the nation to assist those who are relocating, thereby providing additional exposure for the City. CGI's list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers is provided as Attachment 1.
The four videos prepared for Cathedral City are: Welcome; Shopping and Dining; Quality of Life; and Parks and Recreation. There is no cost to the City for production of these videos. Sponsorships are provided by businesses within the city that choose to partner with CGI. CGI offers individual businesses the opportunity to use these same digital media tools and services to market and expand their business. Business logos are located adjacent to one of the four City video links. By clicking on the logo, the viewer is lead to the specific business marketing video. Local non-profit organizations are also able to expand their visibility through the program at no cost to them by having a logo/link added adjacent to one of the City's videos. It is solely CGI's responsibility to educate businesses about the opportunity to participate; however, the City has provided a letter of introduction for CGI's use (see Attachment 2). To date, nine businesses and nine community organizations have partnered with CGI to participate in the program. The Program is for a period of three years and minor modifications to the videos can occur during this time, as needed.
The City's Chamber of Commerce is also participating with CGI to produce a singular video that will be included on the Chamber's website. The videos are still in the production stage but will be presented for Council information during the Study Session meeting of January 12, 2015. It is anticipated that the videos will be in final form and included on the City's website by mid-January.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Limited staff time associated with the video production.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. CGI Communications Frequently Asked Questions
2. Letter of Introduction