Communications Plan Outline for the George Washington Toll Road Authority

Transcription

1 Communications Plan Outline for the George Washington Toll Road Authority Kimley-Horn / Willow Marketing is proposing the following communications outline to inform the public of the need for and value of the proposed Rappahannock Parkway. This plan is meant to provide the clients with ideas that can be further discussed and refined at a follow up meeting. Goals The primary goal of this communications/public outreach plan is to build and solidify public support for the Regional 95 Corridor Improvement Plan, which includes four components: 1) Rte. 17 and exit 133 enhancements. 2) extra bridges and lanes on I-95. 3) a new exit before exit ) the Rappahannock Parkway, a limited access tollway that takes traffic off of congested Route 3. To build support, we have to remind the public of the dismal state of transportation in the Commonwealth, which has led to the need to find more creative and regional public-private solutions to fix local and regional transportation problems. Target/ Target Audience The target audience will encompass the community at large including the residents of Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg, Stafford, state policy makers and interest groups. The commuters of these areas, who are greatly affected and fed up with daily early morning and afternoon and weekend traffic on the I-95 corridor and Routes 17 and 3 will also be identified from the larger segment in order to hear feedback from this directly affected population. Schedule of Tasks After identifying the premier target audience, we need to synchronize the plan with the GWRTA s outline of scheduled tasks. I. Research on Target Audience a. Information Gathering Voter/Commuter list gathering for residents in Courtland, Salem, Chancellor and Livingston (partial) Districts in Spotsylvania County, Hartwood, Falmouth Districts in Stafford and targeted City residents. b. Focus Group The research will begin with the focus group, hearing first hand the concerns of residents and commuters alike. II. Messaging III. Website and Social-Media IV. Public Relation Programs a. Social-Media Connections (i.e. Twitter, LinkedIn) b. Blog Controlling c. News Reporter Coverage

2 V. Blasts VI. Strategic Milestone Printing a. Direct Mailings postcards, video packets b. Newspaper Advertisements Research on Target Audience We need to obtain voter and commuter lists of residents in targeted areas of Spotsylvania, Stafford and Fredericksburg. From this list, we will conduct a focus group from this targeted group to develop the overarching message (more detail below). Frame the Issue The issue boils down to quality of life and how congestion in the area, primarily along this I-95 corridor and Rt. 17 is impinging upon it. Message Problem: Transportation is a state responsibility. Although it looks as if the Governor s transportation stimulus plan may pass the General Assembly, state leaders are gridlocked over long term solutions, leaving state roads more and more congested. As newly released Census data shows hyper-growth in this region has made it the fastest growing and 4th largest. All of this has left us with challenges and with the Dillon Rule firmly entrenched, little authority to implement transportation solutions. As frustration grows, regional leaders have had to work together to find solutions. Solution: The General Assembly grants local government very little, if any, real authority to develop and implement transportation solutions. Meantime, federal and state officials and leaders have advised local governments to find creative and regional public-private solutions. The Regional I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan, largely funded by a new tolling authority is the most realistic solution allowed by state law. Action: Regional leaders joined together to push for a toll road authority, used by other jurisdictions, which was approved in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania officials created the George Washington Regional Toll Road Authority to continue reviewing plans, including funding, for a new limited access parkway that greatly cuts Route 3 traffic. The development of the parkway will not only provide relief for the congested areas of Virginia Route 3 and the I-95/Route 17 interchange, but will expand capacities along the Rappahannock River and I-95 and allow the economic/business areas to be accessed with ease. Spokespeople: Spokespeople will be determined, but members of the Toll Road Authority are elected officials, who would be the primary spokespeople. News hooks: Regional cooperation finding new ways to fix overdue transportation problems. The I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan and Tollway is but one way the region is using to find solutions! Communications Channels and Outlets: GWTRA officials and Willow Marketing will review all practical channels, but the primary channel will be the Internet and website, which will act as a resource hub into which all other channels direct traffic. The plan proposes a multi-phased campaign aligned with the work plan milestones using direct mail, , and print and broadcast media as those channels. Willow Marketing will continually evaluate reach and penetration to determine the use of additional channels, such as billboards.

3 Reporters/ Media Database: Top 20 outlets Freelance Star Local radio - WFLS-FM, WFVA-AM, WBQB-FM, WGRQ-FM and WGRX-FM Richmond Times-Dispatch Washington Post Cable Pitch: Overview of the I-95 Corridor Improvement Plan, tollway, regional approach, creative solutions in a time of gridlock in Richmond. Deliverables/ Collateral/ Event: GWTRA, FAMPO and local staff have studies, data and graphics. Willow Marketing first proposes to build the resource website and design other material around that hub. Tracking Coverage: Willow Marketing will capture media hits and report results to GWTRA. The tracking of results will primarily be drawn from the website analytics. These statistics will include how many times a user is visiting the site, the pages of interest, and the ability to pin-point the geographic location of the visitor. In addition to the website statistics there will also be an ongoing evaluation of the communities at large overall opinion through the usage of Twitter and other social-media networks. Twitter is currently in the process of implementing metrics that will allow Willow Marketing to track followers, un-followers, clicks and overall traffic to links with in the social network. Evaluation: Willow Marketing will provide metrics.

4 Budget Estimate What follows are prices of various marketing/communications tools that could be used throughout the campaign. We are providing this information for further discussion with GWTRA staff and executive committee so that we can better align the communication strategy with the workplan and budget. However, we strongly suggest that the first action is to conduct a focus group of targeted constituents to create the message, and develop the website that would act as the central repository of information on the tollway. Next, we would focus on direct mail pieces to inform key constituents of the need for the tollway. Additional tools will be considered after further discussions with staff and GWTRA executive committee. Focus Group: Willow Marketing would like to perform a focus group to assist in creating the messaging. This will help us uncover the public s true feelings positive or negative about the project. Willow Marketing will analyze the data and utilize the findings to create the messaging and target medias to most effectively reach our audience. Website: The resource hub of the communication plan will be the website. Willow Marketing will design the site so it is easy to navigate and visually appealing to the user. We will integrate video and social media into the site. The video will allow us to help visualize the congestion problems we are facing and how the proposed 95 Corridor Improvement Plan and Rappahannock Parkway will help resolve the current traffic nightmare. The website will continually change with updates and milestone completions. The website will also offer residents a sign up link to receive regular updates. Blast: Using the information from the sign up area of the site and other lists Willow Marketing will design an blast template that will be used to communicate progress of the project. Willow Marketing will work with the staff and committee members to compile an list and will compile addresses at all public meetings. The blasts will go out at least once per month at the project s beginning and may be used more often as the project progresses. Public/Media Relations: Willow Marketing will write and distribute press releases as milestones are reached on the project. Press releases will also be used to help generate public awareness about the proposed project. Direct Mail: Willow Marketing will design several direct mail pieces throughout the project to raise awareness and to keep the public informed as the project progresses. Willow Marketing will work with the staff and committee members to compile a mailing list of commuters and constituents in Spotsylvania County. Logo Development: Willow Marketing will develop a logo that represents the project scope and a brand that is recognizable by the general public. Collateral Development: Willow Marketing will create collateral to be utilized at public meetings and for general public awareness (eg, brochures, hand outs, letterhead etc.) Print Media: Willow Marketing will design several print media ads that will be used in all media. Budget reflects creative and media purchases. Media Outreach/Planning: Willow Marketing will work closely with staff and committee members to make sure we are using the right media mix to effectively reach the correct audience with the best return on investment.

5 TASK DESCRIPTION: ESTIMATE: Focus Group $10,000 Website Text Editing, Design and Programming $25,000 Blast Text Editing and Initial Design $1,200 Additional Versions (Text and Layout) $280 Monthly Delivery 500 2,500 $100 2,501 5,000 $150 5,001 10,000 $175 10,001 25,000 $275 25,001 50,000 $375 On-Call Services (to include writing Press Releases, monitoring Social Media and regional blogs $4,000/mon Direct Mail Creative Development Postcard $1,000 #10 Envelope w/letter $2,500 CD Selfmailer $3,500 Logo Development (includes letterhead, press release and relevant business papers) $3,500 Collateral Development (includes copywriting and design) Trifold Brochures $1,700 Press Kit $7,000 Posters/Banners $1,200 Powerpoint $100/page Media Plan/Buying $5,000 plus 15% of ad spend Print Media $500 $10,000 Broadcast Media/Cable (creative costs TBD) Outdoor Media (billboards, yard signs, etc) Radio (creative costs TBD) $25 to $125 per 30 sec spot $1,000 $3,000/mon $25 $135 per 60 sec spots