News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Eight candidates have been interviewed for Cookeville’s new Communications and Marketing Manager position.
City Manager James Mills said he was impressed with the candidates and is prepared to make an offer to one of the eight. He said the Cookeville City Council has pushed for the addition of the position for several years and he is glad to see it come to fruition.
“We’re excited about that,” Mills said. “We’ll have somebody on board that will help market Cookeville and get us out there on social media and cover the council and all of our meetings and just the different things that are happening in all of the different departments.”
Mills said the new manager will oversee the city’s website and social media. He said Cookeville Mayor Laurin Wheaton has been tasked with many of the duties that will be allocated to the new hire. He said transitions in leadership make it hard to offer a consistent message without a city employee responsible.
“I’m excited about it,” Mills said. “I can see the need for it.”
He said the younger generation is far more likely to receive the bulk of their information from Facebook and Instagram, or at least online from the city website than older generations. He said he hoped to hire someone with a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of experience in communications or public relations. Mills said at least some 20 people applied.
