In 2019, when the original Tourism Board wanted to hire a consulting firm called Chandlerthinks to help craft a marketing strategy for Hudson, there was a groundswell of objection. People were upset that the Tourism Board was proposing to spend $70,000 on "branding" Hudson, but more than that they were outraged that an outsider, someone from Nashville, Tennessee, would be involved in telling Hudson's story.
Last night, at the informal Common Council meeting, a resolution was introduced which apparently originated in the mayor's office. It authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with CGI Digital for Hudson to be part of a Community Showcase Video Program. The resolution makes reference to "online video marketing" and speaks of Hudson's desire to "improve its website and digital presence generally."
The CGI Digital website provides this information: "CGI Digital programs provide a voice for cities to share what makes them unique while showcasing the impact businesses have on their community." The website also lists these benefits:
- Cost-free program for all communities
- Welcomes new residents, visitors, and businesses
- Showcases best practices, sustainability efforts, and workforce development initiatives
- Highlights local businesses and nonprofits
- Enhances your marketing initiatives
It's not entirely clear from the resolution how the "unique series of videos" to be created will be used, aside from being added to the City of Hudson website. It will be interesting to see if this initiative inspires the same concerns that were voiced when the Tourism Board was trying to hire a consultant to help market Hudson.
COPYRIGHT 2022 CAROLE OSTERINK
WOW GREAT IDEA.
ReplyDeleteHudson -- featuring one of the worst school systems in the State of New York, and one of the most expensive to operate.
Hudson, about to be overrun with more affordable housing than it ever needed, and "free' services for outsiders all jumping on the gravy train of social programs. Will be another 1970s social experiment in giveaways.
What a great future.
If they want to improve the "digital footprint" they should invest in improving the city's antiquated website. People should look to the city's official website for current information, rather than expecting city officials to comment on unofficial venues like the goofy Facebook "Community Boards." They mayor could actually enjoy his Sundays, rather than having to worry about answering the latest misinformed Facebook rage post.
ReplyDeleteIf you want economic development, just make your community a nice place to live. Fix the roads, improve the schools, make sure the hospital is functional. Forget all the bullshit promotional scams.
ReplyDeleteThe word "development" is a misnomer as it implies an improvement is being made. Expansion would be a more appropriate term. Economic expansion, commercial expansion, housing expansion. We now have Old Navy, KFC is coming, next you will see Popeyes, Wendy's, Chipolte, Arby's Sams Club, Targets, Home Depot etc. Fairview will become a four lane highway packed with cars. Apartment buildings and condominiums will pop up all over the place, corporations will buy up surrounding farmlands for office campuses. The expansion (development) will line the pockets of builders and suppliers as every square inch will be packed with an apartment or house. The thing that made Hudson a desirable place to live will be degraded and lost. The last thing Hudson needs is marketing, what is needed is a blockade against this expansion, a development firewall. Smaller is better, this “development” is not an improvement, it is degrading.
ReplyDeleteThis reply was submitted by John Friedman:
DeleteWhile the website “upgrade” is surely a triviality and little more than a shiny object offered up to us crows in an attempt to distract from the lack of any meaningful work being done at City Hall, the development you decry is all slated for Greenport, not Hudson. Hudson can’t do anything about a KFC going in on Fairview Ave by the metastasizing shopping center. That type of development can’t be done in Hudson due to the community preservation section of the City zoning code which prohibits chain retail development.
John, your points are well taken and accurate, however, is City Hall paying attention to the Code? It would appear that the section of the code to which you refer, Chapter 325.43, would apply to the restaurant opening at 2nd and Warren, "Savona".
DeleteAs they offer the identical menu at all locations they seem to meet the test of a "formula" business as set forth in our code.
This will be location number four, a number also set forth in our code.
With these factors known, one wonders how or why were they issued a building permit.
Thank goodness for that. However, I note the new Bagel Place in Greenport is naming it's Hudson Bagels - trying to cash in on Hudson's cachet, I guess and confusing people even more.
DeleteJohn Friedman submitted this comment by email regarding "formula businesses":
DeleteThey can have three outside or inside Hudson, or a mix. But they can’t have four and seek their fifth here. So they’re in the code as is the fancy optician coming to the 600 block of Warren.
The City of Hudson will improve its website and digital presence. I think that is good for Hudson. The negative nellies will complain hoping their snide sentiment is contagious.
ReplyDeleteI submit as my opinion that the City of Hudson invest in making their website more informative and friendly.
ReplyDelete