In 1977 New York City launched an I Love New York campaign that was so successful it has lasted more than three decades and spawned similar campaigns around the world.Today Wollongong civic and business leaders are hoping for similar results when they launch a We Love the Gong community campaign at the Southern Gateway Centre.The Wollongong campaign is being driven by Wollongong City Council's tourism arm, with the support of the Illawarra Business Chamber and local media.Its aim is to encourage residents to invite friends and relatives to visit.
EDITORIAL: Time to tell why we love the GongThe We Love the Gong campaign's primary target is people who live, work and play in Wollongong.Tourism Wollongong general manager Greg Binskin said it deliberately focused on an affectionate nickname many had for the city.He said market testing showed people's perception of the term "the Gong" was positive so it was decided it would be a great anchor for a positive community-wide campaign.Mr Binskin said despite some of the things that had happened in the past, many Wollongong residents were still very passionate about their city.He admitted Wollongong was not the first to adopt a "We Love" or an "I Love" initiative.An I Love Sydney Facebook page using a heart symbol has almost 60,000 fans and a Kiama page using a heart has been soliciting feedback from its 1700 fans with a daily photo challenge.Swell Coffee has an I Love Swell Coffee sticker, which is very similar to the We Love The Gong sticker, and Corrimal Chamber of Commerce communications manager Leona Butler launched an initiative called Love the Gong last year, inspired by a website called www.lovehelsinki.net. However, Mr Binskin said a We Love the Gong campaign was timely because it gave people an opportunity to communicate their love for Wollongong by inviting others to experience it.The primary target market for such visitors is Sydney, which has been a large source market for social media fans to a Wollongong Facebook page recently.A new www.welovethegong.com.au website will provide access to a range of social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr, where Wollongong residents can express why they love the Gong in text, photos, mini-blogs and videos.The social media channels are also themed with We Love the Gong logos and will include campaign pictures and videos of local celebrities, civic leaders, business leaders, politicians and locals talking about why they love the Gong.Wollongong residents - representing 88 different nationalities - can embrace the campaign by sharing their passion for the Gong with friends and family around the world.Businesses are also being encouraged to embrace the campaign, and this weekend many Wollongong restaurants, coffee shops and tourist operators are outfitting their staff in I Love the Gong T-shirts.The website will also host competitions and promote merchandise.Why do you love the Gong? Post your comments here
