Because of the increasingly
volatile nature of Columbus Day, the Columbus Day Celebration committee (CDC) needed a comprehensive crisis
plan in preparation for a city-wide series of activities celebrating
its 500th
Anniversary. This included designing a crisis plan of action, extensive media training and providing advance responses
to the anticipated controversy.
WMG
designed a positive promotional campaign for the event, conducted
all event planning and on-site activity management, developed and
produced a comprehensive press kit and managed all media outreach
including press inquiries and immediate responses to the public,
created and placed all advertising and designed and distributed
event signage.
WMG
solicited and received personal and public support from and created strong working relationships with such civic leaders as U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi
and her assistant, Michael Yaki, San Francisco Mayor Frank Jordan, San Francisco Supervisor Angela
Alioto and San Francisco Chief of Protocol Richard Goldman.
The Quincentennial was
overwhelmingly supported by the largest public attendance in 122
years, although some events created controversy and disruption, for which we
were prepared. During the protests, we worked closely with the media to ensure equal
coverage, making certain event spokespersons were well-versed, calm,
reasonable and available for interviews.
Our client’s objectives
were clearly met. We ensured that the events took place as smoothly as possible; we increased public
exposure in order to assist in future underwriting support; and we helped to present
balanced viewpoints.
During this three-month
media window, over 23,500,000 print media and 3,280,000 electronic media impressions were generated in
California and the U.S. on behalf of San Francisco’s Columbus Day Celebration.
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