Advertising with YourThurrock.Com
Introduction
YourThurrock.Com is an on-line newspaper that covers every aspect of life in the Borough of Thurrock. Launched on 1 September 2008, we have quickly established ourselves as a template for how local news will be presented in the 21st century.
The majority of our news is filmed but as more organisations have discovered us so we publish copy only stories as well.
Thurrock is a rich quarry of news but the borough is also at a fascinating crossroads in its history and YourThurrock.Coms mission is to chronicle the story of Thurrock in the 21st Century.
Our main aim is to celebrate the good news and the hundreds of activities, groups and initiatives that thrive and survive in Thurrock. However, we also aim to scrutinize, question and challenge where appropriate. Never naive nor cynical but a balanced healthy scepticism.
The site receives 60,000 views per month with our local viewers looking in but also viewers from USA, Japan, Australia, Nepal and dozens of other countries. We work 24/7 and 365 day a year, producing an average of ten news item every day. The site never sits idle, it is dynamic!
The Concept
The media industry is changing and the way of telling the story has changed. In 2009, the number of local papers that folded was 109.
YourThurrock.Com is hyper-local. In many ways a hark back to American Community TV spirit that still thrives today but with a 21st century feel. Our stories and the way of presenting is much more flexible.
We continue to report in a standard way: Last night at Thurrock Council….., Grays Athletic slumped to their ninth defeat in a row but the hyper-local feel means we sometimes present the news in a “drop in way.
For example: Its half-term and there is a host of activities in the Borough. We dropped into Marcia Carrs drama workshop at the Thameside Theatre to see how it was going.
Corporate Strategy
We aim to present a thriving, active, energetic Borough. These are changing times, and with Thurrock being an epicentre of the regeneration agenda, we want people to look at YourThurrock.Com as a brochure for the Borough.
Having said that we are a newspaper and have a role in scrutinising aspects of Thurrock life, we are not however, in the Yobs Caged business and want to move away from the more parochial nature of local news reporting whilst being a hub/reference point for the local community.
We welcome comments on our site but again we are not a hub for small mindedness and we would never ever allow a comment that was defamatory or insulting.
Local but Global
One of our aims is to put Thurrock on the global map. On the back of our films on Britains Got Talent winners Diversity (before they were famous) we were interviewed on Fuji TVs Morning Show in Tokyo.
We have a blogger in Hollywood: Benny Harris went from teaching in Aveley to a career in Tinseltown and reports back monthly for us.
Promising Thurrock singer, Jane Young appeared at the Thameside Theatre in her first professional concert. Her grandfather was too ill to attend but he was delighted to see our film of her in rehearsal.
The Statistics
Firstly, we do not refer to hits as that is misleading. We use Google Analytics as our statistical reference point.
In February 2009, we had 40,000 page views and 14,000 visits. The majority of our users are in London. Through market research we have discovered that many of our viewers work in the city. Indeed it is the i-pad generation that have tuned into YourThurrock.Com.
However, our videos run on YouTube and so many viewers go straight there. Our films of Britains Got Talents Diversity member, Perri Kiely (the cute one with the hair and glasses) has had 14,000 views on YouTube.
Our film of a suspect package being detonated by the Bomb Squad in Grays also received 3,000 views in two days. We have documented the burgeoning rap and grime scene in Thurrock. An average film gets 2,000 views.
We also have a Facebook and Twitter page and feed. Not to put what we had on our toast, but to tell our stories in micro form: Off to review play at Thameside. Big game for Thurrock etc.
An invisible viewing stat will be all those who cut, paste and embed our videos onto other sites.
Why Advertise with YourThurrock.Com
Fantastic Value
With over 40,000 viewers per month (and rising), a vast number of potential customers are looking in on the site, not just in Thurrock but around the world. It is a simple but professional way of getting your message across.
Targeted
As an advertiser, your news, feature and event can be promoted and publicised across the internet through YourThurrock.Com and other social networking sites.
Impact
The days of the static ad and a few words of editorial are antiquated. We have the tools to produce a filmed advertorial that can put you head and shoulders above your competitor.
Community
The Thurrock community is very proud of its identity. Why not sponsor a community page or indeed a film or series of films that show how proud you are of Thurrock!
Every company and business has to think of its Corporate and Social Responsibility. There is no better way than using YourThurrock.Com.
Simple but Effective
Filmed adverts dont take six months to produce. We would meet to see how you would like the film to look. Filming would take a maximum of two hours and the film can be up on the site within 24 hours.
We can design your banner (free of charge) to go on the site.
Sponsorship
Communities Page
Sponsorship of a community (Aveley, Tilbury etc) page costs £1,000 (exc. VAT) per year. Your banner would sit on the top of your chosen page.
Themed Films
Perhaps you would like to sponsor a series of films. For example, events at the Thameside Theatre including the Pantomime. Your companys logo would appear throughout the film.
Or one of the numerous football films whether it is Thurrock in action or interviews with the managers after the game.
Subscription Only
Eight senior schools: Chafford Hundred, Ormiston Park, William Edwards, Gable Hall, Gateway Academy, St Cleres, Hassenbrook and Grays School subscribe to YourThurrock.Com.
Each term they pay for eight filmed news items promoting and showcasing the positive news and events from the school(s). Many of the films are wired into the schools key priorities and strategies that the school espouse.
At the beginning of each term we meet up with a designated link person and build up a diary. They dont advertise as such (no banner etc) but the films act as publicity.
If this system would suit you, then we can design a package for you
Flexibility
The bottom line is that we are totally flexible. There is clearly a package, a budget and an approach that will suit your needs.
Bespoke Filming
YourThurrock.Com films beyond the confines of the site. If you have a one day conference or a special event that you would like to have showcased then we can produce the DVD for you. Recent examples are: Thurrock Over 55s Forum, Safeguarding Conference, Thurrock Carers Week, East Thurrock v Aveley,
We can also produce a Tribute DVD for a relative who has passed away. Recently we were asked to film the funeral of beloved community champion Luz Tacon. Many of her relatives from the Philippines couldnt make the funeral and so a DVD was a fitting tribute.
You may also be a budding singer. We can produce a portfolio piece that can go out to record companies. One artist we have showcased: Talldarkfriend has recently signed a management deal with Gary Walker Associates. (Of Walker Bros fame).
Consultancy Work
There was a time when very few people found themselves in front of a camera. Times have changed. As part of your continuing professional development it is vital that you are ready should that opportunity and challenge comes your way.
YourThurrock.Com works with organisations to train, advise and counsel on their interview skills. We show examples of good and bad practice. We take you through the pitfalls as well as how to project yourself in the best light possible.
Success So Far
YourThurrock.Com has reached the final in the category of New Company of the Year in the Thurrock Business Awards for 2010 with the judges impressed by our fresh, dynamic and innovatory approach.
In 2009, we won the Spirit of the Festival Award for our coverage of the Thurrock Drama Festival.
Many people see us as the first port of call for news. Thurrock Council officers and councillors wait with interest to see how YourThurrock.Com reports on events. Indeed, when an important political event or issue arises we see a spike in our viewing figures.
We also understand that many government watchdogs use YourThurrock.Com as a reference point to gauge the news and political temperature in the borough.
Such is our success here that other councils have asked for in-service training in presentational skills.
BBC and ITN
Thurrock can be a desert of media coverage. Neither London nor Meridian nor East Anglia. We have started working with both the BBC and ITN to supply news feeds to them. Recent items have included: Chafford Hundred: Most Improved School in UK and Suspect Package in Grays which was shown on BBC London on Jan 4th.
Testimonials
General Manager Park Inn Thurrock, Richard Groome:
“Advertising on yourthurrock has brought a new dimension to the way we publicise our hotel. It has brought customers in but it has also allowed us to demonstrate our commitment to our corporate and social responsibilities.”
Headteacher, Chafford Hundred Campus, Chris Tomlinson:
“In the last two years, our films with yourthurrock have allowed students and staff to demonstrate to the government, governors and prospective parents how good our school is.
“The fact that we are the most improved school in the UK has been chronicled in a dynamic new way.”
Producer of the Thameside Theatre Pantomime, Bruce James:
“The use of video promo to promote our pantomimes is a valued add on to our marketing drive for the pantomime. We are very pleased that in difficult times, we increased our ticket sales this year.”
Recently signed singer-songwriter, Talldarkfriend:
“YourThurrock has been highly instrumental in the career of Talldarkfriend. From the outset the team have given tremendous support and coverage. Publicity is so very important during the early stages of a musicians career.
“Team TDF are proud and privileged to be part of YourThurrock news.”
Contact Details
For further information, please contact Michael Casey on:
yourthurrock@mac.com
Fax: 01279 453901
Tel: 07757167689
Advertising Rates
Front Page/ Politics/Sport/Education
Top Banner (where you see Park Inn)
Plus Skyscraper (where you see Partyman)
The price for each of these adverts is: £95.00 per week (exc. VAT)
If you book 4 consecutive weeks (1 Month) in advance, we will also produce 2 show-cased filmed items for your Company/Organisation
£350.00 (exc. VAT).
If you book 16 consecutive weeks (6 Months) in advance, we will produce 2 show-cased filmed items for your Company/Organisation, publish any press releases you may issue and attend any publicity events that you are involved in
£2,100.00 (exc. VAT).
All Other Pages
The price for this advert would be:
£50.00 per week (exc. VAT) with 10 free publicity items per year.
If you book 4 consecutive weeks (1 Month) in advance, we will also produce 2 show-cased filmed items for your Company/Organisation:
£180.00 (exc. VAT).
If you book 16 consecutive weeks (6 Months) in advance, we will produce 2 show-cased filmed items for your Company/Organisation, publish any press releases you may issue and attend any publicity events that you are involved in
£900.00 (exc. VAT).
All adverts can be published in flash or whatever form suits. We can update adverts as per requirement at no extra cost.
Popularity: 16% [?]
