• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

North East Connected

Hopping Across The North East From Hub To Hub

WeAreHereAS fearless flyboys suit-up to break the sound barrier in Sunderland skies, the people of the city are set to create a cyberspace sonic boom.

#WearHere will return, with residents and admirers of Sunderland seizing social media to share their devotion and delight for the city for the second year running.

The city-wide social media takeover will take place on Friday, July 22 at 5pm – an hour before the official start of Sunderland International Airshow – when lovers of the area mobilise for an hour to furiously post images, memories and stories expressing their passion and pride for the city, using the hashtag #WearHere in all posts.

Last year’s #WearHere hour-long “Thunderclap” was a huge success, resulting in the hashtag climbing to second place on national Twitter trend maps and easily securing the top spot in the North.

This year’s aim is to be bigger, better and bolder, and for #WearHere to become the No.1 national trend. Twitter will once again be the social media focal point, but people are encouraged to share the love across Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat too.

People’s passion and devotion for their city will be the marketing material for the campaign – driving a social media storm and putting Sunderland on the digital map.

Gary Hutchinson, commercial director of Sunderland AFC and chairman of the Sunderland Business Partnership, is once again backing #WearHere, with the Premier League club firmly behind the effort.

He said “Last year was outstanding. The outpouring of pride, passion and joy relating to Sunderland across social media was something to behold. It started with a bang and soon became viral – I can’t wait to do it all again, and if we can make it as successful, there’s no reason why we can’t turn this into an annual event.

“#WearHere provides a platform for a city to come together to share what they feel makes Sunderland great, while showcasing the people, places and passion that gives our city vibrancy.”

Last year’s most popular tweet, which received by far the largest number of retweets and likes, was the SAFC post featuring Jermaine Defoe’s derby winning thunderbolt.

#WearHere is the brainchild of Sunderland Business Partnership, a body of businesses with a passion for their city, collectively showcasing all it has to offer.

Like last year, Sunderland International Airshow provides the backdrop for the social media takeover. Europe’s largest free airshow is once again expected to draw in over a million visitors over the course of the weekend, and it is hoped a less frenzied #WearHere will be sustained throughout the event.

Sunderland 2021 bid director, Rebecca Ball, said: “Witnessing the takeover last year was truly heart-warming. There is so much energy and ambition in Sunderland, it is a beautifully unique city that is full of pride and prosperity, and this campaign is sure to spread the word.

“The Airshow is a huge event, bringing in visitors from across the world so #WearHere will have a global audience. I have faith that everyone will once again get behind #WearHere and make it even more of a hit than last year, let’s get to number one!”

To get involved, share favourite photographs, stories and memories about Sunderland, on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, on July 22 at 5pm using the hashtag #WearHere. Anyone happy for their images to be reused by local media can tag @SunderlandVibe in their post.

For more information about the #WearHere event 2016 and the Sunderland Vibrancy partnership, vistit www.vibemagazine.co.uk

By admin