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Monroe invites municipalities to tune in to advertising project
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MONROE - The City of Monroe Visitor and Promotion Board decided Thursday to ask other communities in Green County to join them in a media campaign effort to target southeastern Wisconsin from Sheboygan to almost Chicago.

The ad campaign costs "$2,000 more than past year, but will have a more significant impact," Mayor Ron Marsh said, by reaching beyond Dane, Rock and Lafayette counties.

Compared to the same media project last year, the message has changed and is much broader, focusing more on the bike trails, in particular the Badger State Trail, board member Matt Urban said.

"Is there an opportunity to partnership?" he asked, as a way to maximize the impact and marketing value of the ad campaign and to help other communities.

Urban suggested one-third partnerships with New Glarus and Green County, but said any partnership with other cities and villages in Green County would be welcome.

Jim Bruce of Charter Media said the primary focus of the 30-second commercial spot is the invitation to bicyclists to enjoy Green County's trail, but also highlights the 2008 Balloon Rally and Cheese Days, and features Monroe's historic Downtown Square. A video supports the script with shots of shopping, dining, lodging and events, as well as the trails and art work.

Bruce estimated the advertisement will reach about 245,000 people in eastern Wisconsin.

Board member Jan Lefevre agreed that a partnership would be good, but saw Monroe as being the main community featured.

"But if we're going to partnership, we should pay a larger share," she said.

Bruce said 75 percent of the spots could promote the bike trails and 25 percent could promote the community, with specific events displayed in a crawling message.

Two proposals were presented. The first costs $12,600 for 5,640 commercial showings, the second costs $14,700 for 6,580 spots. Charter, which is creating the ads, will include a $1,000 credit toward production. A crawler could be added at no charge.

The board took no action on the proposals.