Pineville, West Virginia, Selected for AEP Foundation Community Branding Initiative

Appalachian Power Company External Affairs Manager Ronn Robinson participated in the community announcement. Pineville was chosen for its strong community and government engagement along with economic development and tourism potential.

(Story by Ali Barrett)

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The town of Pineville, West Virginia, has been selected for the AEP Foundation-funded community branding initiative.

The American Electric Power Foundation awarded West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media a $250,000 grant in January to support BrandJRNY, a community branding initiative started by the college in 2015. The initiative sets out to help West Virginia communities identify and promote their assets and potential for improving tourism, encouraging economic development and increasing pride. The grant from the AEP Foundation will allow BrandJRNY to continue for two more years.

Located in Wyoming County, Pineville was chosen for its strong community and government engagement along with its economic development and tourism potential. The town offers beautiful views such as the Guyandotte River and the sandstone marvel known as Castle Rock. ATV riders can find the Pinnacle Creek Trailhead, which is a part of the 630-mile all-terrain vehicle Hatfield-McCoy Trail System, in Pineville, as well.

WVU students are currently conducting research including community roundtables, focus groups, surveys and interviews to gain insight into community members’ perceptions of Pineville and their hopes for the town’s future.

Students will create storytelling pieces that include photos and video; social and digital strategies to increase awareness; a media strategy to promote tourism and a branding campaign plan and toolkit. At the end of the project, Pineville will have a new authentic brand identity. After additional trainings and workshops in the spring, community leaders will be able to use the plan and pieces to manage the new brand that not only appeals to target audiences but also resonates with the community.

News that Pineville had been selected for the initiative was announced at a community kick-off event on Sept. 13 at the Wyoming County Courthouse. Appalachian Power’s Ronn Robinson, external affairs manager, Jeri Matheney, director of communications, and Tim Ellison, business services account manager and long-time mayor of the town, attended the event, along with students, government officials, members of the Pineville branding committee and Pineville community members. A community workshop followed.

To stay up to date on the students’ journey, follow BrandJRNY on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @brandjrny and by using the hashtag #BrandPineville. For more information about past and current branding projects, see their Instagram page.