We are Stockport, the area’s news and events portal – www.wearestockport.co.uk – has expanded its news gathering and web development team as it pushes for 30,000 website visitors by the end of the year.
News Reporter Dawn Bunnell and Jonathan Robinson from Bellyflop TV will have their feet firmly on the ground as they go across the borough gathering more news and filming the gems from the many diverse communities. Flying high overhead to give a bird’s-eye view will be the Vox Air drone piloted by Steve Wickham and Chris Heron.
Graham Saul, Director at computing solutions firm Cloud 9 Hosts, has also been recruited to provide website development and technical support.
Dawn joins Place Campaign Manager and roving reporter Rachel Wallace to beef up news generation around the Borough and upload content to a website which has already attracted 12,000 visitors. A former staff reporter on the Oldham Evening Chronicle and with 10 years’ marketing and communication expertise Dawn brings a wealth of experience and writing talent to the role.
Jonathan Robinson, Director at Bellyflop TV, has been tasked with providing a regular flow of video stories from around Stockport.
Jonathan said: “Bellyflop TV is delighted to join the We are Stockport team to help unearth our Borough’s fantastic hidden gems. As they say a picture tells a thousand words…a video tells the story. We’re looking forward to getting out and about and capturing on camera the stories that reflect Stockport’s unique, diverse and intriguing character.”
New Stockport company Vox Air will be using drone cameras to make compelling aerial films to show off the area from a new perspective.
Director Steve Wickham commented: “So much is missed on ground level in a place – which is why we take our videography and photography literally to a higher plane! Stockport has so many interesting nooks and crannies, places that are so easily passed by. Nothing escapes our camera lens. Hidden treasures shine and we’re very pleased to be helping put Stockport firmly on the national map as a place to visit.”
On the technical role Graham Saul from Cloud 9 Hosts commented: “We share the same values as the team here, dedicated to supporting the community of Stockport.”
Rachel Wallace, former Head of BBC Communications for the North, leads the team and has been involved since launch last June.
Welcoming the new people to the team, Rachel said: “We have a cracking group of talented content and news creation individuals now working on the campaign to move it all forward. We are confident that by showcasing the fantastic people and places that make up the Borough we can achieve the ambitious targets we have set and get people on the site and coming back for more.”
Since its launch last year, supported with funding from the Council, wearestockport.co.uk has achieved 30% returning visitors, developed a Twitter following of 2,350 and is increasingly seen as a credible story source for other organisations.
“We work collaboratively to help everyone who is interested in telling a positive Stockport story,” added Rachel.
If you have a good story get in touch with Rachel or Dawn by emailing them news@wearestockport.co.uk or call on 0161
974 0650. Follow on Twitter @wearestockport and become a Facebook fan and sign up to our newsletter.
Stockport businesses invited to talk social value at Proper Good Business Club 
Claire’s Accessories enters administration 
The Entertainer becomes employee-owned