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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3.5 Shop Local Holiday Report STAFF REPORT CITY CLERK File #470-50 CITY COUNCIL DATE:February 4, 2014 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Christopher L. Foss, Acting City Manager SUBJECT: Report on the 2013 Shop Local Holiday Campaign Prepared by Shari Jackman, Public Service Employee EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In fall 2013, the City of Dublin partnered again with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce to manage the Shop Local Holiday Campaign to encourage shopping throughout the City during the holidays. This report provides a summary of the third year of the Shop Local Holiday Campaign. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Costs related to the promotion of the campaign were $1,420. These funds have been included in the FY2013-14 budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council accept the report. Reviewed By Acting Assistant City Manager DESCRIPTION: In fall 2013, the City of Dublin, in partnership with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, began its third annual “Discover Dublin for the Holidays” Shop Local Campaign. This social media-based campaign encouraged shopping throughout the City of Dublin during the holidays. The Facebook page, www.facebook.com/discoverdublin, promoted businesses that participated in the campaign by posting their business profile, photos, as well as store promotions and events. Subscribers to the campaign’s Facebook page were then notified of the recent updates. Prior to the start of the 2013 campaign, the City mailed packets to Dublin businesses, notifying them of the campaign and encouraging their participation. The packets were also distributed at several Chamber of Commerce events. The packets contained Shop Local posters for ITEM NO. 3.5 Page 1 of 2 business’ storefronts, and business cards for their patrons to encourage additional visitors to the Facebook page. Thanks to the generosity of several local businesses – Amador Valley Industries, BYOG, Dublin Cyclery, Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl, Elephant Bar Restaurant, Home Vendors Online, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Rockin’ Jump, and Thread’s Beauty Bar – Staff was able to offer gift certificates to followers of the Facebook page in a twice-weekly drawing. Throughout the course of the campaign, “likes” on the Facebook site grew by nearly one hundred to 735 followers (a nearly 20 percent increase from 2012), and several of the businesses reported an uptick in traffic following a post. In addition to daily postings promoting specific businesses, the “Discover Dublin” page was also used to promote “Small Business Saturday” in November and “Tri-Valley Restaurant Month” in January. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: None. ATTACHMENTS: None. Page 2 of 2