The City of Columbia Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department has won two awards of merit in the 2021 Silver Quill Awards. The team was recognized in the category of “COVID-19 communications skills – COVID-19 communication for the web” for the Resilient Columbia microsite. As well as “COVID-19 communications skills – COVID-19 social media” for the campaign, ‘It’s Your Shot, Columbia!’.
The award was received from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Southern Region. The International Association of Business Communicators Southern Region is recognized across 13 U.S. states, and the Caribbean.
Previously, the Public Relations, Media and Marketing team won an award in 2020 for the Palmetto Awards for award of excellence in the category of “communication for the web”.
Launched in April 2020, Resilient Columbia microsite serves as an online hub for economic recovery information, business resources, and COVID-19 vaccination, testing and safety guidelines. Through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Resilient Columbia communications campaign has successfully developed social media messaging using #ResilientColumbia, public service announcements featuring city leaders, social distancing signage for locations within the city limits and a plethora of resources from city departments, as well as, local, state, and national health agencies.
The City of Columbia ‘It’s Your Shot, Columbia!’ campaign encourages all Midlands citizens knows that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe, effective and free. In addition, the City of Columbia utilized print and online ads, radio spots, TV commercials, billboards, water bill inserts, emergency messaging and social media outreach to spread the message about the campaign.
“Last year presented many challenges, due to the pandemic, however we are grateful that we were able to provide important information to our citizens during the crisis. As we transition back to normal operations, we are excited to receive two Silver Quill awards for our communications initiatives in 2021,” said Director of Public Relations, Media and Marketing Leshia Utsey.
Stay involved with Resilient Columbia and find the latest information in regards to COVID-19 updates at resilient.columbiasc.gov, and follow @CityofColumbia and the hashtag #ResilientColumbia on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @wearecolumbia.