Facebook video reaches more than 100,000 people

The community has embraced a social media campaign to promote the region with a Council video reaching more than 100,000 people in less than a week.

Highlighting the best of what the region has to offer, the one-minute video was posted on Cairns Regional Council’s Facebook page on Friday, with people encouraged to share it with their friends and family.

“The response from the community has been remarkable,” Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said.

“At a time when local businesses are facing significant economic challenges as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, it is heartening to see people doing their bit by sharing this video to promote our region.

“Sharing this video means more eyeballs, more interest and hopefully more legs on our streets. I would encourage everyone to share the video. Every little bit helps.”

From Council’s Facebook page, the video has reached more than 78,000 people and had over 11,000 engagements, including about 1200 shares.

The video was also launched as a paid advertisement last Wednesday, targeting cities such as Perth and Adelaide, as well as major regional centres such as Newcastle, Geelong, Wollongong and Townsville. The advertisement has reached more than 25,000 people.

A second video is under production and is to be launched next month.

The videos are part of a raft of measures endorsed by Council last month in response to Coronavirus and its economic impacts.

Other measures included a three-month extension of the due date for the half-year rates, and the immediate payment of $2 million to Tourism Tropical North Queensland to fast track marketing of the region. Council also committed $40,000 to work with other regional economic development agencies to develop a buy local campaign.

Council and Cairns Chamber of Commerce will be rolling out the “Keep it in Cairn$” campaign shortly.

“The campaign encourages people to reconsider their spending habits and business decisions,” Cr Manning said.

“If every business and person made just one change in spending to support local suppliers and service providers, the region’s cumulative wealth will grow and circulate locally.”

Head to the Cairns Regional Council Facebook page to see and share the promotional video.