How are you communicating your transportation/construction project?

1. “I don’t Tweet, let’s do a Newsletter” The role of traditional and emerging public relations tools for transportation and construction projects and programs

2. I’m not an engineer Sr. Communications Specialist for Parsons Brinckerhoff for projects, programs and studies. 5 yrs PR Director for Delaware DOT 13 years as print journalist Current projects in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas…

3. Social Media Networking “Review your org's strategic plan & goals, then choose communications & tools 2 achieve” – Lisa BerardiMarflak, TRB. “Discuss how imprtnt for engineers to share stories re great projects reducing congestion, improve safety, w n'bors & friends” – Larry Ehl, Washington State DOT “Talk about how good communications can help especially during tight budgets.” – Lloyd Brown, AASHTO Director of Communications.

4. Strategic Public Relations (TIP: It’s more than sending out a newsletter) “Public Relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other” --- Public Relations Society of America The PR Umbrella: Public Involvement Outreach Public Affairs Media Relations Government Relations Social Media Networking

5. PR Tools for Projects and Programs TIME ONLY Social Media networking Paperless graphic design Utilize current website E-mail Advocates as Ambassadors Media Relations Internal Communications Special Attention DIRECT COSTS Newsletters New website Portable information Direct mail Printing Legally-required hearings Event planning Door to door handouts

6. Public Engagement, Oh Yes! “Government 2.0 is a citizen-centric philosophy and strategy that believes the best results are usually driven by partnerships between citizens and government, at all levels. It is focused entirely on achieving goals through increased efficiency, better management, information transparency, and citizen engagement.” --- John F. Moore

7. Social Media, Oh my!

8. Social Media: Pushing Information

9. Social Media: Information & Engagement

10. Huey P. Long Bridge Widening Project--- The BIG LIFT --- The PR Challenge: Close for 2 days to lift a football field-sized steel structure almost 200 feet into place The Solution: PR Strategy, Crisis Communications Plan, Staffing Plan, Visualization Plan, and Social Media Strategy. Oh, and of course a successful technical execution. The Result: one complaint, which was posted on Facebook. However, the project team didn’t have to respond because other followers made our case for us. The complainer quickly went away.

11. Public Engagement, Oh Yes! Is social media appropriate for your project? The point is public engagement. Utilize traditional and emerging PR tools.

12. Choosing Tools This? or This? The right lane on I-12 westbound is closed between Amite River Bridge and 4-H Club Road overpass for urgent repairs to a section of the old roadway that separated from its joints and caused a 6-inch lip in the pavement. BLAH BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH

13. Choosing Tools This? or This? Denham Springs, La. -- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that 4-H Club Road under Interstate 12 will close for approximately three months BLAH BLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAHBLAH

14. Choosing Tools Outreach?

15. Your Project Newsroom

16. Getting There If you believe in strategic communication for your project: Talk to your internal PR/Communication staff BEFORE the RFP is issued. Do your own research. Look at OCTA, WSDOT, KDOT, Missouri DOT, Louisiana projects.

17. Game-Changer You never know when you have communicated too much, but you always know when you haven’t communicated enough.