#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
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Team
Three teams. One goal. #BrandWhitesville
Geah Pressgrove, Ph.D.
Faculty LeaderBike Rider | Digital Communications Nerd | Rower Wannabe | Researcher | Outdoor Enthusiast | Professor
Hannah Cebula
Account Executive - Team MetamorphasisStrategic Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations
Marina Belfiore
Account Executive - Team ReawakeningStrategic Communications Major | Leader | Adrenaline Junkie | PR Enthusiast | Detroit Red Wings Fan
Gabby Russillo
Account Executive - Team Synergy MediaAdvertising Major | Outdoor/Travel Enthusiast
Tori Brown
Public Relations Director - MetamorphasisStrategic Communications and Business Administration
Melissa Decker
Digital Media Director - MetamorphasisStrategic Communications with an emphasis in Advertising | Communication Studies |
Megan Hardway
Research Director - MetamorphasisStrategic Communications | PR | #WVU
Ali McLaughlin
Media Buyer - MetamorphasisStrategic Communications | Theatre
Amy Petrakis
Event Planner - MetamorphasisStrategic Communications Major | Business Administration Minor
Allyson Whelan
Creative Director - MetamorphasisStrategic Communications Senior | Future Wedding Planner | Beach Girl
Alli Daniels
Event Director - ReawakeningStrategic communications | communications minor | Dachshund lover | travel enthusiast | Pittsburgh Penguins fan
Elizabeth Freeman
Creative Director - ReawakeningNapper | Entertainment nerd | Drake lover | WVU Student
Danielle Knebal
Media Buyer - ReawakeningStrategic Communications | Communications Minor | Food Lover | Animal Obsessed
Morgan McPherson
Digital Communications Director - ReawakeningRunner | Workout Enthusiast | Goldendoodle Mom | Wannabe Chef | Reader | Sports Fanatic | Peanut Butter Connoisseur
Adelyn Nottingham
Public Relations Director - ReawakeningStrategic Communications Major | Actress | Standup Comedian | Pizza lover | WVU
Tori Young
Research Director - ReawakeningStrategic Communications Major | Communications Minor | Corgi Enthusiast | WVU | Lover of Makeup | Shot Glass Collector
Sydney Haley
Digital Communications Director - Synergy MediaStrategic Communications | Emphasis in Public Relations | Web/tech enthusiast
Ryan McNamara
Media Planner & Buyer - Synergy MediaBorn and raised in Philadelphia suburbs | Strategic Communications major
Caitlin Worrell
Creative Director - Synergy MediaStrategic Communications major with an emphasis in Public Relations
Erica Mayle
PR & Media Relations Director - Synergy MediaStrategic Communications major | #WVU | #ReedCollegeofMedia
Taylor Young
Research Director - Synergy MediaStrategic Communications major | Military brat |
Isabel Mora
Event Director - Synergy MediaNew York girl | Advertising major in the WVU College of Media
#BrandWhitesville
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