Patch of Sunshine on a Rainy Day…

Despite rainy weather this week, we enjoyed a sunny forecast with members of the Duluth Patch team, Advertising Manager and Editor . The warm and pleasant atmosphere of the Work Spot in downtown Duluth was a great place to meet, keep dry and share a few ideas.

In an age where the typical newspaper has become a dinosaur, the online Patch newspaper has made a name for itself. Since Patch sites began launching in 2010, the Patch has grown to 863 sites nationwide, with most sites just at the one year mark. Offering news and information from a “hyperlocal” (neighborhood) perspective, many communities across the U.S. have embraced the Patch. We are happy to say as two of the 13,000 nationwide Patch Bloggers, that we love the Patch; and as members of Duluth Merchants Association, we view the Duluth Patch to be a positive influence in our community!

Per a press release this week, the Patch is doing well:

Patch, AOL’s platform of over 850 hyperlocal news, information and engagement sites, is now the fourth largest regional/local property, more than tripling its UV [unique visitor] traffic between December 2010 and December 2011, per the comScore data released this week.

Alyssa is the newest member of the Duluth Patch team. She has been with the Patch since initial startup phases, covering several different Patches in the Atlanta metropolitan area. On Jan. 1 she was re-aligned to the Duluth and the Norcross Patch teams. Alyssa makes an effective advertising partner for Faye who is a well-known figure in our Duluth community. Thanks to all of Faye’s hard work over the past year, the Duluth Patch has one of the largest readerships in Georgia. And Alyssa’s education and background in communications, public relations, marketing and advertising makes her a “perfect fit” for her job, having worked both as the business client and the advertising solution provider.   

With current marketing statistics indicating that 86% of buyers make their purchases within a five-mile radius, Alyssa enjoys the local community-driven focus offered by the Patch to both its vast readership and to those local businesses reaping the benefits of advertising on the Patch. And with the Duluth Patch being a fellow member of the Duluth Merchants Association, Alyssa and Faye both have a sincere interest in the success of the community and businesses which their readership serves. 

Alyssa’s business outlook and effusive energy are a reflection of her positive view on life overall. She has a supportive and mentoring husband also in sales, her family, and of course Tobias, her beloved Tibetan terrier. When we asked Alyssa about the favorite aspect of her job, her enthusiasm was apparent: “In the advertising business, you get to meet and work with all types of businesses and people. Nothing is better than having the advertising solution you offer successfully meet your client’s needs! Call me, and let’s talk about advertising solutions for your business!”   

We see a positive forecast for the Patch and its partners: "hyperlocal" sunshine with fair weather!