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| “What
makes Long Island such and incredible place to visit, live, and work are
the people and small business owners in our community,” said Discover
Long Island President and CEO, Kristen
Reynolds. “This heartwarming video series truly captures the history,
culture, and character of our region through unique and compelling stories
told from the perspective of our locals with immense pride in the place
we call home and want to share their love of Long Island to inspire visitors
from across the globe.”
 The “You BeLong” video series utilizes video storytelling by placing locals at the heart of Long Island’s narrative. Each video features a Long Island business owner sharing their unique connection to the area, from culinary legends and artistic innovators to stories of cultural heritage. The campaign’s core message emphasizes that Long Island isn’t just a place to visit, it’s a place where beauty, energy, history, diversity, and culture thrive, and where generations of local pride can be felt within every small business. By celebrating these attributes through authentic, first-hand stories, these videos foster an emotional connection that sets Long Island apart from other destinations. Since the initial six videos premiered on YouTube in 2023, the campaign has become nationally recognized securing more than 7 million viewer impressions, as well as a prestigious Telly Award win. This success inspired Discover Long Island to embark on a second series of videos to highlight the stories of additional Long Island locals who love where they live and what they do and want to share that passion with fellow residents and visitors. This latest series was created by Discover Long Island, utilizing local production companies Intrigue Studios and Precision Pictures, and encapsulates the unique stories of: Arbor View House: A Historic Bed & Breakfast with Heart Meet Wilfred, the heart behind Arbor View House Bed & Breakfast in East Marion, a historic black owned business and national landmark. Wilfred’s mission is simple yet profound: to make a difference in every guest’s life. Whether you’re savoring breakfast, sleeping in, or catching a breathtaking sunrise, Arbor View House invites you to slow down and embrace Long Island’s unique charm. Explore the varied beauty of the Island, from its history to its people, through the eyes of someone who truly cares about leaving a meaningful legacy. Little Ram Oyster: Cultivating Sustainability on Long Island Little Ram Oyster is a women-owned business nestled in the heart of Long Island’s North Fork. Dynamic couple Stefanie Bassett and Elizabeth Peeples combine their passion for sustainability with the area’s rich maritime history, helping to shape the future of aquaculture. Discover how their dedication to oyster farming is making waves in both the environment and the local community. John Melillo: A Veteran’s Journey to Art and Healing John Melillo, a proud Eastern Long Island native and Vietnam veteran, found solace in art to combat his PTSD. Through his paintings, he captures the images of Vietnam and Long Island’s East End, reflecting themes of adventure, culture, and resilience. After traveling the world, Melillo’s bond with Long Island remains strong, embodying its rich history, art, and enduring spirit. Today, he uses his art to inspire and support others navigating their own emotional journeys. Adventureland: Generations of Joy, A Long Island Legacy Since 1962, the Gentile family has made Adventureland a cornerstone of family fun and community on Long Island. This iconic, family-owned amusement park has created a lasting legacy, bringing generations together to laugh, play, and make memories. A safe and joyful place for all, Adventureland embodies what makes Long Island special: its strong communities and the traditions that keep families coming back year after year. Preserving Huntington Lighthouse: Pam Setchell’s Story of Dedication Pam Setchell, President of the Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, reveals how she led the successful effort to preserve the Huntington Lighthouse on Long Island, which was at risk of demolition in the 1980s. Pam shares the inspiring journey of how the lighthouse was saved and turned into the beloved landmark that it is today, inviting visitors to explore the historic lighthouse by boat to experience its rich history firsthand. Fire Island Ferries: Connecting Long Island to a Car-Free Beach Haven Tim Mooney, CEO of Fire Island Ferries, shares generational stories of the heart and soul that have been poured into this family owned and operated business. Through years standing at the helm alongside his father and now his children, Tim’s passion for navigating the waters between the mainland and popular barrier island is bestowed onto the nearly one million smiling faces that come aboard the fleet’s vessels each year. From first time visitors to families that have found tradition in visiting Fire Island, each journey offers more than just a ride across the water – it offers opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. The “You BeLong” video series is an extension of Discover Long Island’s successful “Where You BeLong” marketing campaign launched in 2018 which invites travelers from across the globe to experience more than a place to visit, but a place where people can “Be” together, adventurous, happy, and most importantly, welcomed with a sense of BeLonging. The “You BeLong” series utilizes the powerful trend of video storytelling to provide both visitors and local residents an authentic glimpse into the lives of those who work to make Long Island a true, one-of-a-kind destination. According to data from social media management company Sprout Social, video storytelling continues to deliver the highest ROI compared to other marketing trends, as users are found to retain 95% of a message watched on a video as apposed to only 10% read in text. This strategic marketing campaign will target consumers in the tri-state area with a secondary focus on Discover Long Island’s other key Northeast Corridor markets, such as Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington DC. The comprehensive digital advertising campaign features fast, interactive in-feed video content and engaging targeted story snippets across broadcast and streaming platforms, capturing audiences in the inspiration and planning phase. DLI is also leveraging the latest in AI technology across these digital platforms to best tailor this message throughout the consumer journey. These features will offer thematic choices on content, allowing users to explore relevant, choose-your-own-path journeys, rather than relying on traditional preprogrammed mass messaging. The
entire series, now made up of 12 videos, can be viewed on Discover
Long Island’s YouTube page.
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Previous Release: Discover Long Island Unveils New Microsite, App, Golf Commercial, and Marketing Strategy for 2025 Ryder Cup (02/27/25) |
