Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Communications Asset Map

MISSION:
The mission of Econ Ecos is to collect public opinions about how Vermonters live in the 21st century for the purpose of gathering qualitative data that can be used to impact policy decisions.

Unresolved Issues:
  • Econ Ecos is ultimately driving towards promoting sustainability, not just data collection.

CLIENT:
ECON ECOS INC is the facilitating organization behind the movement for data collection, the common pool, and the Great Auction of 2017.

CONSULTING PARTNERSHIP:
The CAT 224 group will help Ezra to facilitate and promote the data collection, media management, brand development, and Great Auction of 2017.

Scope of work:

March 2017: Create and implement a communications plan across multiple media. Develop a visual identity and brand presence. Populate social media with content. Promote the Great Auction.

April 2017: Produce and release a promotional video. Host the Great Auction. Continue social media avenues. Drive responses to data questions on the website.

May 2017:

SWOT ANALYSIS: Econ Ecos

Econ Ecos STRENGTHS:
  • Located in Burlington which already has a strong sustainability culture
  • Being in a small state makes access to policy makers easier
  • Providing incentive ensures high participation rates
  • Driven largely by visuals which easily engages audiences

Econ Ecos WEAKNESSES:
  • Unclear/ unfocused overall goal/message
  • Multiple different avenues lending the movement to disorganization
  • Lack of well-established media venues to promote events/ movement

THREATS to Econ Ecos:
  • Promising funding to contributors through the common pool but ultimately not being able to procure it, or being forced to pay the money out of pocket
  • Not generating enough buzz about the Great Auction to meet goals
  • Hanging the art is subject to regulation/ vandalism

OPPORTUNITIES for Econ Ecos:

  • Burlington population is more ecologically aware than most- could take interest in our movement
  • Burlington has a large amount of nonprofits per capita-- shows a socially responsible culture
  • Burlington is a picturesque place- easy to get good shots for the video
  • Being college students, we each have a network of opportunities to recruit for the Great Auction
  • Easy and practical to hang mobiles on campus. Lots of foot traffic in certain spots.
  • No cost of materials for production of mobiles, but can be sold for profit at the Auction.



COMMUNICATIONS ASSET MAP:
Existing Channels – March 2017

"Econ Ecos" NAME:

Current: EconEcos and Ecological Ecosystems Inc. Both are the same organization, yet sound like opposing organizations

Recommendation: Brand using one name consistently. Refer to the two names as the same entity from the beginning as interchangeable to avoid confusion.

WEB SITE:

Current: Econecos.org
Recommendation: The text on the website could be more succinct, easier to follow. Adapt from Executive summary descriptions to keep everything consistent.


FACEBOOK:

Current: N/A

Recommendation: Create and immediately populate with content.

TWITTER:

Current: None

Recommendation: Would not recommend utilizing Twitter; dying social media platform for our generation.

INSTAGRAM:

Current: None
Recommendation: Create immediately as a business platform. Populate with content of the art, promotion of the auction, etc. Promote important posts as sponsored posts to gain traffic, create buzz around art and auction

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Meeting 3/22 Agenda and Minutes

Agenda 3/22
1.     Talk about what is set in stone.. date.. music.. art... materials... and what is still up in the air... bathroom... audio equipment... promotional materials.... 
2.     Plan a time to visit the barn (I can drive and supply refreshments) 
3.     Chat through the reveal of the art... and changing up the message some
4.     Website work... Changes... cleaning up the wording and language (Pay for a post)
5.     Go hang up a driftwood piece, get a shot or two... Kalkin... as a team!  (I think this helped Anna and Anders "get it" after we hung one up)
6.     Additional things of interests.. 


Meeting Notes 3/22/17
·       Date set in stone: Saturday April 29th, 2017… Tentative time 5-9
·       Next Wednesday 4PM Trip to the Barn… Ezra to drive… will send out email to confirm pickup location/s… might try to get rob to come if he doesn’t have class…
·       200$ in budget! Damn we’re high rollers..
o    ideas to spend on advertising,
o    Restrooms
·       Discussed/hashed out the importance of clarity in what we are doing and how the auction will go..
o    Focus on cultivating the atmosphere of the auction
o    Focus of clarity of “Get paid for posting”
o    Give 5 or so vt charities/organization to give too
·       Ezra will clarify website
o    Do a better job highlighting the Auction
·       Discussed the idea to raffle off a piece during class to generate a little extra money/get excited for the auction
o    Not discussed but another idea…  what if we get everyone in your class to post a pic at the beginning of class, and whoever has the most likes at the start of next class will win the mobile??

·       Additional discussion on working on the video.. promotional materials.. ect…

Monday, February 13, 2017

Monday Meeting Minutes 2/13

1. Date: 2/13/17

2. 5:50 PM

3. Kalkin

4. Anna, Anders, Hunter, & Trey


5. Roles:
-Notekeeper/Publisher: Anders
-Timekeeper: Hunter
-Facilitator: Trey
-Agenda Creator: Anna

6. Completed CAT tasks:
a) -created a list of deliverables
-excellence criteria check list for first deliverable

b) Immediate and long term CAT tasks:
-promotional video
-hanging pieces of art
-website upkeep
-logo design
-event planning for auction
-branding/marketing EconEcos
-encourage social media posts
We will all have parts in executing these tasks

c) Most challenging element: creating a streamlined mission statement and goal for the project

d) Most rewarding element: we are starting to gain momentum on the project and figure out specific steps

e) Our CAT is communicating with each other well. We have been on the same page about the project, client, and deliverables and contribute well to each other's ideas.

f) We need to prioritize our unique deliverables and put the plan in place

Excellence Criteria for Project Deliverable #1

Communications Asset Map
·      No spelling or grammar mistakes
·      Clear and Concise
·      Features an Econ Ecol Logo
·      Identifies potential pitfalls
·      Builds framework for future communication channels

·      Aligns with Ezra’s view for the movement

Friday, February 10, 2017

Interview Contacts

Rob Williams
rob.williams@madriver.com
(802) 279-3364

Taylor Kingston
taylor.w.kingston@gmail.com
(802) 922-1261

Monday, February 6, 2017

Monday Meeting Minutes 2/6

1. February 6th

2. 7:45-8

3. Kalkin 003

4. Anna, Hunter



5. Ha. There are only 2 of us today.
Anna: facilitator, time keeper
Hunter: Note keeper, agenda creator

6. A. Tasks accomplished: initial interview with Ezra, general creation of next steps.
B. Immediate tasks: Schedule a full group meeting with Ezra to establish a singular mission statement and what we actually are.  Each of us will write a potential mission statement and bring it to our interview with Ezra, because we all have slightly different understandings of the project, and Ezra can pick the one he's most in tune with.
C. Most challenging: communication and establishing a plan.
D. Most rewarding: as we move forward with the project each of us gets to choose what we want to focus on, based on our interests
E. Doing well: Group cohesion is working really well. We generally feel on the same page.
F. Needing to work on: group organization and communication regarding responsibilities.