The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Local news

Discussion

February 11, 2010

Women hope using video, social media makes Kites bigger, better

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Following the success of the 2009 Kites Over Enid event, local officials are gearing up for the 2010 spectacle.

Through the use of video and social network sites, Melissa Baker and Renee Settlemires are hoping to make Kites Over Enid 2010 a bigger and better event than last year.

Baker, Web site and digital media coordinator at Autry Technology Center, already has put together a Twitter account for Kites Over Enid, and even more social networking endeavors may be put together in the near future, she said.

“There are materials in the works incorporating social media and videos that we can engage a younger audience with aspects they are accustomed to,” Baker said.

Many children and young adults frequently use Web sites such as Twitter and Facebook, Baker said. So, those mediums are good ways to get out the word about the 2010 event.

One of the things Baker and other officials may do is utilize promotion efforts during the Tri-State Music Festival this spring. Students from all over the state come to Enid to compete in the music festival.

Stan Hicks, Habitat for Humanity board member and organizer of Kites Over Enid, said the competition brings 10,000 to 12,000 children from all over Oklahoma to Enid.

“We’re building it so (the students and their parents) would want to come back to Enid and participate (in Kites Over Enid),” Baker said.

Meanwhile, Settlemires is working on a promotional video for Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce that will highlight 2009 Kites Over Enid and bring more people to the 2010 event.

“We definitely want to get the word out that we are once again attempting to do the world record with the kites,” said Settlemires, writer and producer for KJ Productions.

Testimonials from residents who participated in the 2009 event may be included in the new video.

She hopes the video, along with other promotional materials, help to make the 2010 event a more fun and exciting experience.

“I heard when we were out here filming last time, someone made the comment they hadn’t seen this many smiles in one place in a long time,” Settlemires said.

Text Only
Local news