How Nerds Can Foster Democracy in Local

Government

Will HamptonCommunications DirectorCity of Round Rock, Texas

Our SoMed Tools

• roundrocktexas.gov• @roundrocknews• facebook.com/roundrock• roundrocktexas.gov/blogs• flickr.com/groups/cityofroundrock

• @willhampton• @brooksbennett

Know This About The Man

• He hates it when someone says something bad about him!

Tactics to convince The Man

• For the love of God, don’t talk to Him!

The Man has minions

• Find the Communications Director, PIO, etc., and talk to them

Our goals in Round Rock

• Provide additional channels of input for citizens and other potentially-affected interests

• Increase the transparency of the City's decision-making process

• Facilitate a sense of community • Reach new audiences with City

messages and information

How we doin’?

• Facebook Page has 1,500+ fans• Twitter account @roundrocknews

has 1600+ followers• Downtown redevelopment project

blog’s 31 posts had 100,000+ views

• PR-Media relations benefit• Don’t even get me started on our

Flickr group …

The Man craves unadorned adulation

If all else fails …

• Fire up the Blamestorm

Where to find us

• roundrocktexas.gov• @roundrocknews• facebook.com/roundrock• roundrocktexas.gov/blogs• flickr.com/groups/cityofroundrock

• @willhampton• @brooksbennett