Collaborative video series highlights Tiffin

A collaborative effort between the City of Tiffin and Seneca County to create a video series through CGI Digital has recently been announced, with videography segments occurring this week through mid-September. This educational video series aims to showcase the atmosphere, development and community within the city of Tiffin and Seneca County. The Seneca County Commissioners reported they partnered with the City of Tiffin, Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, and the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce for this marketing effort. In a letter released by the Seneca County Commissioners, it was said the main goal of the video program "is to welcome and attract new residents/employees to show off everything the community has to offer. In addition, this project allows new families and employees to get connected with businesses directly through this video interface." CGI Digital, which is headquartered in Rochester, New York, has a nationwide platform of employees, including several Ohio-based videographers who will be working closely on the project. The digital ad agency previously partnered with the city of Tiffin in 2008 and again in 2012. Additionally, CGI Digital collaborated with many other local counties and cities such as Sandusky County, Lima, Medina, Ottawa, Port Clinton, Wauseon, Massillon and more. "The way this community works is amazing," Dominick Morano, program director and online consultant for CGI Digital, said. "We've partnered with the county and the city for the next four years." The video series promoting the City of Tiffin will include highlights of the city's economic development, which includes both commercial and industrial; quality of life; the parks and recreation department; and a welcome video overviewing the community. For the county video series, highlights will include workforce development and job opportunities; collaboration efforts between the city and county; education for all ages; county parks and recreation; and a welcome video. "We feel like we're a community full of opportunity, and that there's something for everyone," Jimmy Flint, county public relations director, said. "We're business friendly, crime is low, cost of living is low and it's a great place to raise a family." The city is looking to have the series completed by the time of the Tiffin Seneca Heritage Festival, which begins Sept. 16. The videos will not require any taxpayer expenses due to the amount of local businesses that bought sponsorships through CGI Digital to enhance their online presence. "By using their model of working with businesses to advertise, it gives us a nice product that ultimately isn't coming from our General Fund," Nicholas Dutro, director of Communications and Constituent Services within the city, said. He said he feels the videos will give a fresh perspective on the city and county, and provide the opportunity to showcase the community in an interesting, visually pleasing way. "We're very proud of our community and what we have here, and we would love for more people to be attracted here to work in our community, live in our community and invest in our community," Dutro said. The Seneca County Commissioners also sent out a letter to local businesses announcing the partnership with CGI Digital, and provided information regarding the sponsorship opportunity through the company. "Our video tour will allow viewers to learn more about area attractions, quality of life, economic development and so much more," the letter stated. "We encourage you to consider being a part of this initiative." Over 50 local businesses have bought sponsorships from CGI to create promotion videos, get aid in managing their website or increase their online presence. "Some of our businesses are not even aware of digital marketing and SEO, so it's a way for them to become informed about ways they can also improve their digital presence as a business," Flint said. "A picture's worth a thousand words and a video is even more than that," he added. "We have a great story to tell here." After the city and county videos are published, they will be available for viewing on the City of Tiffin's official website, the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce website, the Tiffin Seneca Economic Development website, the Seneca County official website and other social media platforms. Current sponsors/participants of the Tiffin-Seneca Video Tour include: Heidelberg University; Your Legacy Federal Credit Union; Webster Industries; MLAD Graphic Design; Clouse Construction; Tiffin Pool Center; Terra State Community College; Tiffin University; Relax & Revive Salon and Spa; Five Star Maintenance & Construction; The Car Spa; MST Pub & Grub; Generations Realty; Arnold Machine; Laminate Technologies; Clouse Electric; Edward Jones; Hoffmann-Gottfried Mack Funeral Home; The Renaissance of Tiffin; Jolly's Drive-In; Burns Electric; Journey Financial Solutions Group; The Chandelier Community Event Center; Irving Equipment; Seneca-Crawford Area Transportation; Kuebler Shoe Store; Tiell Financial Group; Ohio Foot Inc.; Buffalo Wild Wings; JEM Network Consulting; Animal Care Center of Tiffin; Molyet's Farm Market & Garden Center; Greene's Plumbing Heating & Electrical; and Frankart Electric.