Videos to promote downtown Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN — When it comes to downtown Youngstown, city officials say, “It’s happening here!”

But even with the catch-phrase and the increased activity, they acknowledge that not enough people realize what’s happening downtown.

Too many people are attending events at the Chevrolet Centre and the DeYor Performing Arts Center and not going to restaurants, clubs and bars nearby, said William D’Avignon, the city’s Community Development Agency director.

Because of that, the city hired the Keynote Media Group, a Youngstown company, for $6,500 to produce two videos — one is a minute long and the other is 30 seconds in length — promoting the downtown area.

The 1-minute spot will be shown on the Chevrolet Centre’s video screens during certain events at the facility, including Youngstown SteelHounds hockey and Mahoning Valley Thunder football games. The promos will also air on television sets throughout the center’s lobby area.

The city plans to ask local television stations to show the 30-second promotion as a free public service announcement, said D’Avignon, who came up with the idea for the videos.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com