AroundWellington.com® Celebrates its 10th Anniversary – February, 2016
Launching a New Website Design in February with a Brand New Look
(WELLINGTON, Fla.) On February 1st of 2016, the local online publication AroundWellington.com turns 10 years old. Owner and publisher Krista Martinelli says, “I’m very happy to see the way that Wellington and neighboring communities have embraced this online publication and participated in it in so many ways!”
“I’m pleased to be launching a re-design of the website happening sometime in February, which will add many more mobile-friendly features and will show off the rich content that we’ve always had.”
With over 50% of website views coming from cell phones, AroundWellington® decided to “get with the program” and make it a user-friendly experience from iPhones. “I attended an excellent workshop put on by the Palm Beach Post and heard directly from a Google staff member about how people are accessing their information – and decided it was time,” says Martinelli. The website re-design is being done by Rick Maggio of Web Gumption, who brings his website talents as well as his own Wellington background to the task.
Other new and recent additions to the online magazine include:
- New Managing Editor Sabeen Faquir, who has been adding her own improvements to the publication since September of last year
- New logo being created by the internationally-known illustrator Rollin McGrail, also a Wellington resident
- Special advertising referral program in the month of “Fabulous February,” which rewards the referral person with $50 for each successful referral
- New monthly column from Mayor of Wellington Bob Margolis (which began last summer)
- New restaurant reviewer and local author Sandy Axelrod with “The Discerning Palate”
- New pet writers Barbara Masi, long-time champion of training retired Greyhounds and matching them with veterans in need with her “Hounds & Heroes” program; Fran Faulkner, another pet expert, from Planco Veterinary Care in Wellington
- A prize for the 2,000th “like” on the AroundWellington.com Facebook page
- Local video news stories, produced in conjunction with Monica Kallas of SharpShooter Marketing, which launched last year. The AW NewsSpot video interview with Venus Williams at the Wellington Tennis Center (which she designed) went “viral” and reached over 80,000 people via social media within one week
“We are cheerleading you on for reporting great happenings in Wellington and bringing quality services that we can use. We can’t wait to read your publication each month and your eNewsletter each week!” says long-time AroundWellington.com subscriber Marty Ross of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.
“I was drawn to AroundWellington, a fresh, unbiased and eager perspective on all things Wellington. My time as a writer and photographer for AW has always brought me exciting experiences that I treasure as a part of my 10-year history with the magazine and with Krista Martinelli as my colleague and friend,” says Lois Spatz, photographer and special writer for AroundWellington.com.
“AroundWellington.com is a delightful, hometown newsletter and online publication, featuring engaging, well-written articles. Many of those articles highlight local businesses and their owners, strengthening the sense of community here in Wellington,” says advertiser Jeanne Bootz, owner of the Bootz Cultural Arts Center.
Around Wellington® Magazine was originally published as a print magazine, launching its first edition on February 1st of 2006. The magazine was mailed to the major neighborhoods centered around Forest Hill Blvd. and 441 in Wellington, targeting the families on the “newer” side of Wellington.
Today AroundWellington.com continues to expand with more readers, writers, advertisers and the new component of local interest videos. “A family member from California once asked me, ‘Are you ever going to run out of interesting people to interview in Wellington?’” Krista Martinelli recalls. “No, I told her. And the people have been so warm, welcoming and interesting so far, I feel that I never will run out.” Besides, AroundWellington.com has yet to interview Bill Gates, Bruce Springsteen and a few other major celebrities that have a home in Wellington. Bill? Bruce? Are you ready yet? Clearly, there are more stories to cover in this Great Hometown!
For more information about AroundWellington.com (regarding stories or advertising), please visit the website or call (561) 965-6617. To subscribe to the free weekly eNewsletter (and the email list is never shared with any other business), please visit our home page and provide your email address. For letters to the editor, please email: [email protected].
DREAMSTATE | MEDIA
Damon Webb
PR Coordinator
(561) 670-8248