#BRANDWHITESVILLE
A History of Coal and Community
Whitesville is located in Boone County with a population of 503 residents. A former coal town located in the central part of the state, Whitesville has decreased in population steadily over the past 70 years. Its main attraction, the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial Plaza, draws visitors to remember 29 miners tragically lost in a mining disaster in 2010. Whitesville is positioned as a community pride brand, which can potentially lead to an economic development brand in time.
Challenge
Incorporated in the 1930s, Whitesville, West Virginia, is faced with a shortage of jobs and lack of commerce due to the declining coal industry.
Solution
After conducting focus groups, surveys and talking to community leaders, the students created a community branding center in conjuction with the town's existing economic agencies. Their goals were to promote the town's history, recreational and education tourism, as well as promote communtity pride and increase resident engagement.
Accomplishments
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New slogan
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New website
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New billboards
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Developed two educational tourism curricula
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Established regional partnerships
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Templates for email campaigns
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Promotional materials
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Media placement
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Hosted community events
Gallery
Team
Three teams. One goal. #BrandWhitesville
Faculty Leader Bike Rider | Digital Communications Nerd | Rower Wannabe | Researcher | Outdoor Enthusiast | Professor
Account Executive - Team Metamorphasis Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations
Account Executive - Team Reawakening Strategic Communications Major | Leader | Adrenaline Junkie | PR Enthusiast | Detroit Red Wings Fan
Account Executive - Team Synergy Media Advertising Major | Outdoor/Travel Enthusiast
Public Relations Director - Metamorphasis Strategic Communications and Business Administration
Digital Media Director - Metamorphasis Strategic Communications with an emphasis in Advertising | Communication Studies |
Research Director - Metamorphasis Strategic Communications | PR | #WVU
Media Buyer - Metamorphasis Strategic Communications | Theatre
Event Planner - Metamorphasis Strategic Communications Major | Business Administration Minor
Creative Director - Metamorphasis Strategic Communications Senior | Future Wedding Planner | Beach Girl
Event Director - Reawakening Strategic communications | communications minor | Dachshund lover | travel enthusiast | Pittsburgh Penguins fan
Creative Director - Reawakening Napper | Entertainment nerd | Drake lover | WVU Student
Media Buyer - Reawakening Strategic Communications | Communications Minor | Food Lover | Animal Obsessed
Digital Communications Director - Reawakening Runner | Workout Enthusiast | Goldendoodle Mom | Wannabe Chef | Reader | Sports Fanatic | Peanut Butter Connoisseur
Public Relations Director - Reawakening Strategic Communications Major | Actress | Standup Comedian | Pizza lover | WVU
Research Director - Reawakening Strategic Communications Major | Communications Minor | Corgi Enthusiast | WVU | Lover of Makeup | Shot Glass Collector
Digital Communications Director - Synergy Media Strategic Communications | Emphasis in Public Relations | Web/tech enthusiast
Media Planner & Buyer - Synergy Media Born and raised in Philadelphia suburbs | Strategic Communications major
Creative Director - Synergy Media Strategic Communications major with an emphasis in Public Relations
PR & Media Relations Director - Synergy Media Strategic Communications major | #WVU | #ReedCollegeofMedia
Research Director - Synergy Media Strategic Communications major | Military brat |
Event Director - Synergy Media New York girl | Advertising major in the WVU College of Media
Three groups of students working on a community branding capstone project under the supervision of Dr. Geah Pressgrove
| Not listed: WVU grad student Courtney Gatto and Synergy Media Buyer Alexandra McShane. |
"Our mission is to motivate a small community of people that there is hope!"
- Isabel Mora, #BrandWhitesville Event Director