Local First Alliance was thrilled to hold its 3rd Annual Upper Valley High School Communications Competition with the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center’s (HACTC) Media Arts class. As part of their year-end project, students were tasked with designing a marketing campaign promoting local, independent businesses and specifically encouraging use of the Local First Alliance online business directory.
“We love working with the Tech Center because it draws students from throughout the Upper Valley region rather than just one town,” said Emily Gardner, manager of the Local First Alliance at Vital Communities.
Working with their teacher, Felicia Allard, and Local First Alliance members who specialize in communications and marketing, students each designed Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in the categories of television, radio, and print. Three winning submissions were chosen based on creativity, overall design, technical application, and clarity of message.
Congratulations to Lydia Pecor of Hartland, VT for her print PSA, Ben Clifford of Canaan, NH for his radio PSA, and Emily Williams of Windsor, VT for her print PSA. The winners received a cash award donated by Mascoma Savings Bank, Lake Sunapee Bank, and Vital Communities, as well as $100 gift cards to Lebanon Village Pizza courtesy of Great Eastern Radio. Great Eastern Radio also generously provided gift packs to all students who participated.
Emily Williams Lydia Pecor
“We knew we wanted to reach more young people with the message of shopping locally so we specifically sought to engage youth in the creation of the message,” said Allan Reetz, communications director at the Co-op Food Stores and a member of the Local First Alliance steering committee.
The winning PSAs will be used in Local First Alliance’s ongoing outreach campaign.
Special thanks to Allan Reetz (Co-op Food Stores), Erika Gavin (Co-op Food Stores), Ken Wells (Mascoma Savings Bank), Nichole Romano (Great Eastern Radio), Jake Blum (Systems Plus), and Tom Roberts (Vital Communities) for providing feedback and guidance throughout the process with the students. Special thanks also to Mundy Wilson Piper, owner of Chippers, who will, for the 3rd year, be adding a print PSA to the side of one of her fleet trucks!
Congrats to our seniors and long live a local Upper Valley!