Public Information Strategies2011 NASCSP Annual Meeting

Kimberly Cameron, Senior Weatherization Program ManagerSeptember 23, 2011

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Weatherization Assistance ProgramCommunication Efforts

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ARRA Communications Plan

• Funding Jumped from $2.9 million to $124.7 million

•Capacity Issue Concerns

• Media Training at ARRA Kick-Off Meeting

• Review Sub-grantees Press Releases

•Monthly Conference Calls to communicate to everyone at one time•Cooperate with Reporters•Press Release on every milestone reached, goal accomplished, or change

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ARRA Communications Plan

• Weatherization Program Staff worked with Public Relations Officer

• Added a positive message, even if the story was negative (Reallocation)

• Continually “Toot Our Own Horn”

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• GEFA communicates messages and announcements regarding our WAP through both traditional and social media efforts

• Press releases, opinion pieces, marketing materials

• Proactive media outreach

• Utilizing the GEFA website, and social media outlets

• Helping our network service providers and partners in their communication efforts

• Remaining conscious of local issues

WAP Public Relations Strategy

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10,000th Home Announcement

• GEFA’s WAP weatherized its 10,000th home July 2011

• GEFA worked with our partner Southface to develop video on Georgia’s WAP

• A press release accompanied the video distribution

• We used social media tools and the GEFA and Southface websites to distribute the story

• A guest column by GEFA’s Executive Director Kevin Clark was pitched to local papers

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10,000th Home Announcement

• 10,000th Home Announcement accomplishments

• Video received more than 250 views in less than one month on YouTube

• Key publications such as Southeast Green covered the story

• Guest column appeared on a blog in the Atlanta Business Chronicle

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10,000th Home YouTube Video

Kim CameronSenior Weatherization Program Manager

404-584-1107kcameron@gefa.ga.gov

233 Peachtree St., NEHarris Tower, Suite 900Atlanta, Georgia 30303