March 19, 2024

Community marketing board holds first meeting

Four members of the newly formed Newton Community Marketing Board met for the first time on Wednesday with thoughts, ideas and opinions flowing freely during a lively discussion.

Also at the meeting was community marketing manager Danielle Rogers, city director of finance and development Bryan Friedman and city senior analyst Natalie Umsted.

Members of the board include Cindy Smith, a senior vice president of marketing and sales support at Shazam, Mike Farley, marketing manager at Advantage Credit Union, Ken Barthelman, executive director of the Jasper County Historical Museum and Mark Allen, financial advisor at Edward Jones. Angie Bolinger is also a member of the board.

Mayor Mike Hansen opened the meeting with a welcome for the new board members.

“We always encourage everybody to get involved in some way in their community and this is an opportunity for all of you to do that,” Hansen said. “I am delighted at the diverse skills, abilities and backgrounds that you all bring to the board and I am looking forward to nothing but the best advice and direction from you all.”

Next, Umsted presented a brief background on the rebranding efforts of Get to Know Newton from its inception to where the campaign sits today. The group then began discussing how to move forward with priorities for the coming year.

Topics discussed included the perception of Newton, amenities in Newton, the prime location of the city and showing there is still more work to be done.

“I do think it is very important to continue to message with our own community members,” Smith said. “I think it is huge to be able to give community members the sound bites on what to say when asked about Newton.”

Allen agreed and said he feels Newton is ahead of the curve for several reasons, including the accessibility to Skiff Medical Center and to the YMCA.

“We have a hospital, that to me is huge,” Allen said. “Also the YMCA, that lifestyle that people want, they don’t think they can get it in Newton but there is a lot to promote within, focus on what we have.”

Farley shared his experience of moving to Newton and the feeling he got about the community.

“What I like about this town is there are a lot more people here that want to make a difference,” Farley said. “I think that is something we can promote is if you want to be involved and have your voice actually have meaning and resonate that you can get involved here and you can have an impact.”

The group also talked about starting to work on projects and priorities for the future with the goal of getting community members excited about Newton.

Its next meeting is 5 p.m. Feb. 16 in the council chambers.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com