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Social Squadron Logo
In mid-2009, a group of volunteers started an ad-hoc group called the Prescott Area Tourism Committee (PATC). The volunteers were primarily from the lodging industry with a few with marketing backgrounds and a couple from the City of Prescott. The group was formed because of the drastic decline in Bed Tax revenues, which was more pronounced than the downturn in sales tax revenues. PATC established focus groups, one being the Social Media focus group.
The Social Media focus group developed a strategic plan for using social media tools to enhance tourism to Prescott. Initially Twitter was the focus with development of a Facebook page deferred until we achieved Twitter goals. The Twitter account is www.twitter.com/PrescottTourism. We are following over 1,800 people with the emphasis on tourism related people. We established our reputation as a source of interesting information on Prescott and have attracted interest from travels writers.
This volunteer effort is an example of guerrilla marketing accomplished by a small group of people with a common goal. Part of our effort has been to educate the community about the value of social media. We have sponsored three successful Tweet Ups to socialize and share best practices. That brings us to the development of the Red Tail Tweeters T-shirt. One of the members of our focus group is a pilot and has a business designs logo items (T-shirts, caps, etc.). Here is his story of the origin of the design:
“Why Red Tails?
A bit of fun, a bit of history There was a P-51 squadron during WWII called the Red Tail Devils. This wasn’t any ordinary squadron. They were the ultimate underdogs in every way as they were the first all African American squadron of WWII to escort B-17 bombers over Germany.
They also NEVER lost a single bomber they escorted…these guys are my heroes and have been since the day I learned about them as a young boy.To be segregated, to be told they were inferior and then to show the world they actually were the best, that to me is the beauty of a true challenge. It is the opportunity, not a handicap.
So, like them, we (the tourism community of Prescott) are the underdogs. Things are changing and although we’ve had some small wins as members of the Prescott Tourism Committee, there are a lot of eyes on this grass roots group and the whole social media thing. We need a big win. Our situation is nowhere near what the Red Tail Devils had to endure, but just like them, we still have challenges to meet and overcome. Keep flying, let’s not lose focus on our objective. We can not afford to lose!”
Authored by: Guy Roginson, edited by Margo Christensen
Guy Roginson, FlyPrescott, Prescott Arizona, February 12, 2010
928-458-9274 Digital Print & Promotions www.digitalprintandpromo.comFly Prescott www.flyprescott.com
Tri City Mobile Wash, Inc.
www.flyprescott.com/tricitymobilewash
To learn more about the original Red Tails, please see The Red Tailed Project
