Students from the School of Journalism & Mass Communication created a strategic marketing and communications campaign to encourage civic engagement among Mason City residents and to recruit volunteers to serve on local government boards.
Public interest in community and economic development in Mason City, Iowa (pop. 28,079) has been high in recent months as the community works to develop a unified vision for the future. The City of Mason City seeks to engage citizens to ensure that strategies for growth and development reflect the needs of current and future residents. Students designed a communications campaign that encouraged Mason City businesses and residents to have a voice in local government and, through clear and simple messaging, helped citizens understand opportunities and channels for civic engagement. The campaign prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility in order to represent the community’s diverse population. In addition to the broad message for civic engagement, the campaign specifically communicates opportunities for residents to serve on local government volunteer boards.