becky

435 Indio Way Net Zero Energy Offices, photo by Bruce Damonte

Pitchfork Communications began working with the Alliance for Higher Education in Prison in 2019, soon after the organization hired its first executive director. Our first project was creating a Communication Plan, which would serve as an invaluable tool for the staff, board and volunteers. During the discovery phase, we read through the Alliance's founding documents and conducted interviews with current and former board members as well as staff.

Once the Communication Plan was complete, we went on to craft copy for the Alliance's future website. We introduced the organization to Blue Marble Creative, which helped bring the Alliance's story and work to life through beautiful illustrations and a user-friendly design. The Alliance launched its new site in February 2020. It has been an invaluable tool for the organization, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alliance was able to quickly launch a COVID-19 Action Page and archive a weekly community digest for its community members to access. 

"Each day, we began to lean on Becky more and more to help support the launch of our organization. Becky took the time to listen closely and with great curiosity to learn about our work and the industry-specific needs of our organization. She thoughtfully shepherded our team through a complete strategic communication planning, design and implementation process."

— Mary Gould, Director, Alliance for Higher Education in Prison

Pitchfork Communications began working with Cycle Oregon in December 2018. Our primary goal was to increase registration for the Classic event while also attracting more people to check out Cycle Oregon's other, newer events (Gravel, Weekender and Joyride). Our secondary goal was to increase awareness about Cycle Oregon's impact on communities throughout the state through its philanthropic activities.

Due to our efforts, Cycle Oregon received coverage from more than 50 news outlets, including broadcast, radio and print publications (see sidebar for a sampling of coverage).

In 2020, we led the PR campaign around Cycle Oregon's announcement of its 2020 rides, gaining extensive coverage and helping boost registration. Then, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the United States, we helped Cycle Oregon create a communication plan and FAQ for the postponement of its GRAVEL ride. Eventually, when the board made the hard decision to cancel the entire season, we helped Cycle Oregon with the communication plan, FAQ and PR around the 2020 season cancellation. 

first completed a situation analysis of the City's internal and external communications. We reviewed existing communication policies, written procedures, branding and communication guides, strategic planning documents, and the City's various communication channels. We interviewed staff from the City Manager's Office and various city departments to determine what was working and what was not in regard to internal and external communication, what's the level of public engagement, and we developed a list of recommendations.

We then developed an internal communication policy that included the following: email, Internet and equipment policy, social media policy and media relations guidelines. We also developed an external communication policy that included the following: updated social media management guidelines (hashtags, guidelines for each social media channel, Dos and Don’ts of social media, Tips for On-Camera & Print Interviews), website policy and best practices, media relations guidelines, public-facing forms (downloads), and a press release template.

With these policies in place, we create a communication plan that outlined the City's communication goals, key audiences, tone/voice, style guidelines, brand guidelines, photo guidelines and communication goals, strategies, tactics and measurements of success. The process helped the City's communication staff realize all the various tools that were already available to them — a Style Guide, Branding Guidelines, etc. — and together determine how to efficiently and effectively use these tools to more effectively communicate to City residents.

By interviewing stakeholders, conducting research and advising the partnership around a community survey, we learned about specific language to avoid, messages that resonate or alienate, what sources of information stakeholder groups trust, and how to effectively deliver information, or more accurately, how to learn toward a common goal. Learn more about the East Cascades Oak Partnership and how the group intends to leverage the communications assessment.