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SOUTHINGTON Two Southington High School students put together a 30-page report on ways to better market the Apple Harvest Festival, ideas that are being put into practice by the festivals public relations firm.

Festival committee co-chairman Tom Lombardi said Emily Daley and Sydney Krolls suggestion about social media marketing in particular is being taken to heart.

Last year, the town hired Walsh Public Relations of Bridgeport to handle the festivals marketing. The firm was chosen in part because of its experience with social media marketing, an area where the Apple Harvest has had little reach.

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Lombardi said the festival has always had a Facebook page but has added other platforms such as Twitter to reach teenagers and a younger demographic.

Its going to be much more active this year, he said.

Daley and Kroll presented their report to the committee last week. They based their findings on nearly 170 interviews they conducted at last years festival, which helped them collect data on demographics and the reasons people come to the festival. The report was part of the students marketing studies.

Jim Champagne, the festival coordinator, said the girls suggested a presence on the social media platform Snapchat, which they said is used primarily by teenagers. Walsh Public Relations hadnt initially planned to start a Snapchat account but will do so after hearing the report.

Those two high schoolers felt that social media was the best place to catch that young demographic, Champagne said. Were going to take that information and use it.

He was impressed with the work the two had put into the study as well as their presentation to the committee.

It was nine months worth of work, Champagne said.

The festivals main demographic is families. Festival committee members are also hoping to draw more young people. Lombardi said the study and report was a great way to involve high school students with the towns signature event.

It was good to get the school involved with local government, he said.

jbuchanan@recordjournal.com 203-317-2230 Twitter: @JBuchananRJ

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Southington students provide input on Apple Harvest Festival marketing - Meriden Record-Journal