Case Studies
Advocating Clean Diesel
It was a time when diesel was under attack, leaving the future of the industry in doubt. California had listed diesel exhaust as a toxic air contaminant. The tone of media coverage was extremely negative. Policy leaders did not recognize diesel’s economic importance. That's when the Diesel Technology Forum tapped Stratacomm to help tell the other side of the story.
Launching a New Product: the "Smart Car"
smart USA, the exclusive distributor of Daimler’s smart fortwo two-seater microcar in the United States and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Penske Automotive Group, needed a key partner for corporate and product communications strategy. Stratacomm was selected to help smart USA introduce, launch and sustain sales of a new vehicle concept in America – the country’s smallest gas-powered vehicle.
Upgrading an Association's Website
The client’s existing website was fed by an aging and increasingly difficult-to-update content management system. We identified opportunities to provide more promotional space on the homepage to let visitors know about the great depth of content available, made the navigation more intuitive for visitors, and boosted the site’s search engine optimization to draw more traffic.
- Leading One Event. Including Four F-16s. Inviting Scores of VIPs. Generating Tons of Media Coverage
- In addition to communicating to the public what to expect over the duration of the project, Stratacomm was charged with marking the completion of each bridge span with pomp and circumstance..and did we mention the F-16s? Since the construction schedule dictated that work on the second span could not begin until the first span was completed, Stratacomm coordinated two separate dedication ceremonies, two years apart.
- Launching a New Product: the "Smart Car"
- smart USA, the exclusive distributor of Daimler’s smart fortwo two-seater microcar in the United States and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Penske Automotive Group, needed a key partner for corporate and product communications strategy. Stratacomm was selected to help smart USA introduce, launch and sustain sales of a new vehicle concept in America – the country’s smallest gas-powered vehicle.
- Advocating Clean Diesel
- It was a time when diesel was under attack, leaving the future of the industry in doubt. California had listed diesel exhaust as a toxic air contaminant. The tone of media coverage was extremely negative. Policy leaders did not recognize diesel’s economic importance. That's when the Diesel Technology Forum tapped Stratacomm to help tell the other side of the story.
- Securing Consumer Tax Credits for Clean Air Solutions
- Stratacomm helped HPBA design and execute a comprehensive communications campaign to educate clean air officials and the media about the process, effectiveness and air quality benefits of wood stove changeouts with the goals of achieving federal funding for more changeouts and enlisting more cities to enact wood stove changeout programs.
- Motivating Motorists to Change Their Routes
- Stratacomm developed and implemented a multifaceted and resonant campaign to urge drivers to stay away from the Wilson Bridge corridor. Branded “Mission Possible-Keeping You Moving,” the campaign featured prominent news story placements, creative ads on targeted traditional and online media and stakeholder outreach to trucking associations, motor coach operators and other long-distance travelers.
- Communicating Clear, Concise and Compelling Healthcare Messages
- Stratacomm worked with Altarum to define a message platform that was clear and concise. Then, Stratacomm arranged a roundtable discussion to introduce the new Altarum to key audiences, and position the organization and its subject matter experts as future spokespeople.
- Helping the University of Michigan Compete for Business Students
- Through strategic media relations outreach, Stratacomm has positioned U-M EE and its faculty as thought leaders in the areas of talent management, human resources, positive leadership, innovation and business acumen.
- Increasing Association Membership and Brand Awareness
- The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan tapped Stratacomm for a three-year engagement to raise brand awareness and increase membership. Our charge included creating a key message platform, solidifying the Association’s brand, reaching members through digital strategies and conducting grassroots outreach.
- Showcasing Lifesaving Military Equipment on Capitol Hill
- Stratacomm helped Navistar organize a high-profile, hands-on vehicle display on Capitol Hill. The MaxxPro was positioned in front of the U.S. Capitol. Stratacomm invited members of Congress, military leaders, media and American citizens to climb around, kick the tires and see for themselves the vehicle’s benefits.
- Promoting Public Transportation
- Stratacomm has provided strategic media relations counsel and program management to support three EXPOs for APTA thus far. Services have included message development, media strategy and outreach, materials creation, and managing the online and onsite press rooms.
- Going on Offense During a Crisis
- When the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducted a new, experimental crash test that pitted the smart fortwo microcar against a Mercedes C-Class, smart USA engaged Stratacomm to provide crisis counseling support to assure that smart had an equal voice in media coverage.
- Communicating During Crisis at Gallaudet University
- Gallaudet University, the world leader in undergraduate education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, turned to Stratacomm in wake of large-scale student protests that shut down the school.
- Spotlighting DARPA's Urban Challenge
- Working with several hundred event organizers and on-site staff, Stratacomm developed and supported an ongoing public relations campaign throughout the life of the DARPA Urban Challenge competition.
- Preparing to Communicate if Terrorists Strike
- We created a highly-detailed, plausible and realistic scenario for the test group that involved an “attack” on the transportation system. Every few minutes, we added a new wrinkle in the unfolding set of events, just as would occur from the first phone call through the aftermath of the crisis.
- Unleashing Social Media to Stoke Brand Loyalty
- smart USA wanted to build stronger brand loyalty by connecting smart with enthusiasts through an official smart-branded social network.
- Targeting Capitol Hill to Promote Action on Jobs
- Stratacomm worked with AEM and AED to launch Start Us Up USA!, a comprehensive communications campaign with a striking visual element: an idle equipment caravan that moved across the country.
- Digitizing U.S. DOE's Solar Decathlon
- The U.S. Deptartment of Energy Solar Decathlon transformed the National Mall into the global center of leading-edge solar innovation for ten days by challenging 20 student teams to design, build and operate the most energy-efficient and attractive solar-powered homes. In addition to handling media relations and event management, Stratacomm was tasked to develop a digital strategy that would amplify the compelling stories from the event in the most effective manner possible.
- Rallying Support To Help The Construction Equipment Industry
- Stratacomm helped maintain the campaign’s momentum by holding a press conference on the National Mall accompanied by a caravan of construction equipment through the streets of Washington to send a direct message to lawmakers.
- Connecting Hearts and Minds to Educate Detroit’s Youth
- In just seven days, Stratacomm helped Houghton Mifflin Harcourt plan an emotional, grassroots rally to kick off an unprecedented, multi-year partnership designed help reshape curriculum in one of the most under-performing urban school districts in the nation – Detroit Public Schools.
