SEBASTIAN — The lone billboard along Interstate 95 pointing drivers to the City of Sebastian will get a fresh image and message – “Get hooked on Sebastian.”
The billboard, located near the Titusville exit, is expected to depict a fishing trip and the new slogan and direct people to visit GoSebastian.com. The image and message trumped a flock of pelicans with the message “Join the crowd.”
“Either one of them looked fine to me,” Mayor Jim Hill said, adding that if he had to choose, he’d choose the fishing theme.
“Flip a coin for me,” agreed City Councilman Richard Gillmor.
He pointed out that the color of the word “Sebastian” in the fishing billboard was too close to the background’s color and recommended it be changed.
Councilman Eugene Wolff agreed with the fishing theme, noting it points to an economic opportunity in the city – that businesses sell bait for fishing.
“That would be most appropriate,” Wolff said.
Vice Mayor Don Wright urged caution on spending money advertising the city, explaining he is still calling for a full review of all the advertising the city is doing – via the billboard, the Internet and other methods – and what the return has been.
“We need to be very careful fiscally,” Wright said.
The City Council at its last meeting approved extending the contract for the Titusville billboard for six months rather than a full year. The council said at the time doing so would help promote visitors to the city through the upcoming tourist season.
Sebastian resident and City Council candidate Damien Gilliams recommended the council put a tag line on the billboard promoting the area’s A-rated schools as a way to bring young families to the city.
He explained that everyone is going for the tourism dollars – and no one is targeting the young families.
The council did not incorporate Gilliams’s suggestion and instead voted unanimously to approve the “Get hooked” billboard with a color change to “Sebastian.”