New Year, New Vision for Pacifica

by Martin Anaya

Happy New Year from your friends at Pacifica Community TV. Over the past year we've seen some amazing things in our world as well as some concerning things with the economy and such.

At PCT, despite the city cutting our 2012 contract in half, we've seen a continued provision of services and some amazing enhancements. In fact, to say that we've learned to leverage our resources is an understatement for sure. For example, now residents have multiple ways they can view programs from PCT; on cable channel 26 as always, on-line at our website (www.PacificCoast.tv) and now by Video on Demand, also found on our website!

In addition, we are now training members of our community to use video in exciting new ways. Businesses use video to communicate the value of their brand, community groups use it to outreach to potential new friends and our wonderful community of TV producers can now expand their audience to a world-wide audience literally at the click of a button.

Here's what is SUPER EXCITING:  We are now using new communication platforms to engage audiences far beyond our borders on the value of visiting Pacifica. This new capability could be an economic development committee's biggest tool. Wait, are you listening economic development committee? What we are engaged in right now is a communications explosion at PCT that is already showing world-wide audiences why they should visit our town and why they should spend their hard earned dollars here.

Let's face it: as we look to the future we are all going to have to leverage our resources to create new revenue for the city. And just like the city manager said in last week's Trib, that means using people power and exciting new approaches. Well, here at PCT we have laid an exciting new groundwork for using new communications technology the right way to achieve astonishing goals. And when I say the right way, I mean just that. These days it's relatively easy to post a home-made You-Tube video and say they are "potentially" reaching a world-wide audience. But how does one truly ENGAGE an audience? How does one use the right technology and the right approach for the right result? This is what we have begun teaching local residents and businesses at PCT.

We are now helping local businesses for instance to leverage their visibility in several key ways using video as the backbone. The key is audience "engagement". What do we mean by that? It means using video as a method to open a dialog with your audience. In fact, it means that your audience is really more of an inter-active partner in the success of your business or city or entity. This brings an entire new dimension to the equation and not only benefits the participating business but our wider community as well.

As we search for new ways to market Pacifica as an Eco-tourist destination or as a place to raise a family, one thing is clear: we must use new tools and methods to engage audiences in new ways. This will yield new results and stand as a stark contrast to the "business-as-usual" approach used by so many. As we increase Pacifica's relevance to the wider world we will begin to see a new self-identity emerge that translates directly to improved finances and improved quality of life. So welcome 2013! I'm eager to explore what the future holds. If you would like to learn more about this vision I've just painted and how you may get involved, please contact me, Martin at PCT, 650-355-8001 or by email at

Martin@PacificCoast.tv.