The Challenge
The Friends of Citrus County sought a public education campaign in regard to government policies in Citrus County, Fla., regarding growth and tax policies. The group of community and business leaders sought to influence policymakers to develop pro-growth and tax policies in the county.
The Solution
Strategic Vision PR Group developed and implemented a public education and issue advocacy campaign that encompassed the following:
- Public opinion research
- Media relations
The Results
Strategic Vision PR Group developed and conducted a series of polls on the issues that the Friends of Citrus County was interested in. The first poll was to determine where citizens stood before the campaign commenced and showed that opposition to commercial growth was ahead by 15 percent and most voters were undecided about where tax dollars should be spent and about lowering the county’s impact fees.
The Friends wanted more commercial growth. They wanted tax dollars spent on economic development and wanted the county’s impact fees to be lowered. Initial polling showed most citizens were opposed to commercial growth were undecided about where tax dollars should be spent and were undecided about whether the county’s impact fees should be lowered.”
Based upon this initial poll, Strategic Vision PR Group worked with the Friends of Citrus County in developing a media message and advertising strategy that was designed to educate Citrus County voters on these critical issues and to reply to what opposing organizations were saying.
A second poll was conducted that showed, as a result of the media campaign, public opinion had changed dramatically and now favored the views advocated by the Friends of Citrus County.
On Election Day, ballot initiatives supported by the Friends of Citrus County were passed and all County Commission candidates endorsed by the organization were elected.
