Twisp’s new marketing director, Jamie Petitto, brings to her new job a diverse background, from working in a Los Angeles talent agency to marketing for local nonprofit groups.
Petitto was recently hired by the Twisp Chamber of Commerce to promote Twisp and the almost 100 businesses that belong to the chamber.
“My goal is to work for the economic vitality and livability of Twisp and the Methow Valley,” said Petitto. “For me it’s about getting people to the Methow Valley on behalf of Twisp.”
In her new role, Petitto is attending meetings of the town’s economic revitalization committee, formed by the Twisp Council last year to implement a master plan to strengthen the town’s economy. “There is so much enthusiasm and momentum in Twisp,” Petitto said.
A large part of her job will be tourism promotion, through publications and travel guides like The Cascade Loop, as well as social media like the Chamber of Commerce website (twispinfo.com), the Twisp Facebook page and the Twisp blog.
One of her first recommendations as marketing director will be “a complete reconstruction of the website,” Petitto said. “I would like the website to be a way to get visitor interest.”
But visitors won’t be her only focus, Petitto said. “It’s not just getting tourists here, it’s letting locals know what they can experience here. It’s another form of marketing. The locals are the lifeblood of this town.”
Petitto said she wants to make sure Methow Valley residents know what is happening in Twisp, and that members of the Chamber of Commerce know what other members are up to. “A rising tide floats all boats,” she said.
She plans to organize an email newsletter for chamber members, to share information about their work and encourage communication among them.
Petitto moved to the Methow Valley in 2015 from Los Angeles, where she worked for a talent and literary agency, and for Defy Media, a creator and distributor of millennial-focused digital content. For several years she hosted an online show for Gurl.com, which had more than 500,000 YouTube subscribers.
Since moving to the Methow Valley, Petitto has done a variety of contract work, including real estate photography and videography (she is an FAA-certified drone pilot), website development, photography and videos for local and regional businesses and nonprofit organizations.
“It’s been one great experience after another helping to promote the diversity of businesses in the valley, and I’m excited to continue in this new role as marketing director,” Petitto said. She replaces Amanda Jackson-Mott, who stepped down to focus on her work as Methow Arts executive director.
Petitto and her husband, Ryan Fortier, were featured last year in an episode of “House Hunters” on HGTV.
