How We Connected Agency and Community
The Challenge
Six years ago, the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) needed assistance increasing public awareness surrounding their five divisions (Transportation, Watershed Protection District, Engineering Services, Central Services, and Water and Sanitation) through the development and implementation of a detailed brand image and communications outreach plan.
The Work
CM has successfully developed the VCPWA brand through logo design, website development, collateral materials development including newsletters, presentations, videos and educational materials. In addition, CM assists with public communication and relations, a robust social media strategy, and event planning and production (for events exceeding 1,500 attendees). To engage stakeholders, CM designs and develops a monthly newsletter called “The Works” that covers relevant topics and current events within VCPWA including stories about employees, team accomplishments and features on new projects.
CM+ Results
The website, which was launched Monday, May 18, had over 513 views in the first day, not including the views on VCPWA’s social media pages that contained video teasers and other various pieces of information to help highlight the event.
Press
VCPWA has seen a dramatic increase in positive local and national press communications through the support of media releases, op-ed pieces and feature articles including publications in Ventura County Star, VC Reporter, Tri-County Sentry, Pacific Coast Business Times, Public Works Magazine American Public Works Association Reporter and Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine with a Paid Advertising Equivalency of $1,959,802 over the past 4 years.
Social Media
VCPWA’s social media following totaled 14,500 fans and counting, as of November 2021. Their Facebook content has been well received by the Ventura County community, gaining fans every year, a 53% increase in 2016 and 30% increase in 2019, with 1.3 million impressions in 2019. Most recently, the VCPWA Facebook page was instrumental in disseminating information on the recent storms, alerting Ventura County residents to road closures, safety tips, and emergency information.
Events
Consortium Media has taken the lead in developing National Public Works Day, an educational event, for students in Ventura County. We have been able to engage the local schools through targeted outreach and have grown attendance at the event from 35 attendees to 1,5000 students, educators and community members, who were able to tour interactive exhibits and meet the staff who help maintain Ventura County.