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The Fred Rogers Center has moved beyond the neighborhood of make-believe to make new friends on the Internet through a new Web site as well as Facebook and YouTube channels. These e-marketing initiatives are the result of a collaboration between the Fred Rogers Center and the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government at Saint Vincent College.

The new site leverages the potential of non-profit e-marketing for building new audiences and expanding the Center’s base of supporters. “We are hoping to use the power of today’s digital technology and Web-based networking to develop the Fred Rogers Center community in much the same way Fred himself used Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and the cutting-edge technology of his day – television – to build relationships with children and families,” explained Fred Rogers Center co-director Maxwell King.

“The contemporary site design introduces the online catalog for the Fred Rogers Archive and features an inspiring new video that highlights the work of Fred Rogers and several of the Center’s programs,” noted Rita Catalano, co-director. “In the near future, we will also launch a virtual exhibit that will enable visitors from around the world to enjoy the artifacts, photographs, and information of the physical exhibit located in the Fred M. Rogers Center.”

The Center intends to reach a multitude of audiences through its e-marketing initiatives including: academic researchers and higher education faculty; children’s media professionals; related nonprofits and government organizations; early learning educators; home-based caregivers; passionate parents seeking a trusted source of information and resources; and student advocates who will be key participants in social networking activities.

The e-marketing initiatives are being coordinated by Dr. Dawn Edmiston, assistant professor of marketing in the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government at Saint Vincent College, and student assistants who are contributing to the development of the social networking channels.