Remember the Macon Mogul contest?  Macon Music competition? Macon Shorts film challenge?  These and many others were all programs that emerged out of the Gateway Macon Initiative.  They created a buzz about Macon, and garnered major publicity for the heart of Georgia.  The Gateway Initiative concluded its core mission in 2013, and is no longer operating as an organization.  As a result, the website www.gatewaymacon.com and its social media outlets were slated to be turned off at the start of 2014, which is where the transformation of Gateway Macon begins.

Third Wave Digital (TWD), a 17-year old locally owned and operated full service advertising agency, saw an opportunity to keep these community resources alive.  Due to the great amount of effort and support received from 36 community organizations to develop gatewaymacon.org, and its own efforts to develop and support the website, TWD felt that discarding this great marketing tools for Macon would be a waste.  So, with the support and blessings from NewTown Macon, Gatewaymacon.com has now been transformed into its own privately operated web presence for all the things Macon-Bibb has to offer residence and visitors. Since the site is now a private enterprise, a new mission has been created as well:

New Gatewaymacon.com Mission
Gatewaymacon.com is a community resource designed to highlight the best of Macon, Georgia.  Through collaboration with key organizations, Macon attractions, and institutions, Gatewaymacon.com promotes the creativity, uniqueness, history, and entertainment that Macon offers. 

Gatewaymacon.com will now be branded as “The Local’s Guide for Things To Do in Macon” and It’s goal will be to act as an online portal for living, working and playing in Macon-Bibb.  Gatewaymacon.com now has a dedicated team of local residents, called “Gatekeepers” that will provide information on the “Top Picks” for things to do in Macon. The Gatekeepers will also endeavor to shine on light on the Best of Macon to offer in a series of “Top 5 lists” covering everything from live music, arts events, festival and dining options. 

Moving forward, a newly designed and updated Gatewaymacon.com site will launch in late August of 2014. The website will display the new logo/icon branding for Gateway Macon and other unique features including (but are not limited to):

• Details and info on the Top Picks for each week
• Top Pick for weekend events
• Social media engagement and promotion
• Edited Top 5 list of the best Macon has to offer
• Comprehensive listings of main venues, attractions and organizations
• Advertising opportunities for local businesses
• A completely mobile design easy to use on any device

Gatewaymacon.com welcomes community input on the top picks Macon has to offer.  By visiting the facebook.com/GatewayMacon page or www.gatewaymacon.com, the community can help the Gatekeepers keep local residents informed about the great things going on in our city.

For More info contact the Gateway Macon editor at [email protected] or call Third Wave Advertising about advertising opportunities at 479-750-7136.