The City of Santa Clarita won four state awards for creative communication, presented by the California Association of Public Information Officers at their annual conference. Santa Clarita’s Communications Division won two first place awards as well as a second and third place award.

“Respect is a Two-Way Street,” the City’s hard-hitting education and outreach campaign is aimed at reducing the number of vehicle/bicycle collisions in the City. The six month campaign that included print, outdoor, social media and earned media, took first place honors in the category of crisis communications/public safety. “Respect is a Two-Way Street” included a law enforcement “sting” featuring “batman” crossing in a crosswalk, as well as a targeted social media campaign—“Be aware-stay alive!”

Check it out at: bikesantaclarita.com

The City’s popular online employee newsletter “City Call” also took first place honors in the category of internal newsletter. Published online every quarter on the City’s Intranet, the photo-filled, fun publication includes spotlights on City employees and divisions, employee promotions and news, local restaurant reviews, “pardon our jargon,” a clever write up on city speak by department, a timely message from the City Manager and a feature written by a comical City employee about the season.

Taking second place honors in the category of photography was Santa Clarita’s “On the Job” series; a social media posting every Friday of City employees at work. A collection of the photos is also used in the City newsletters to the community.

Check it every Friday on the City’s Facebook page: facebook.com/cityofsantaclarita

Santa Clarita’s “funny” videos starring City Councilmembers took third place in the category of video production. Every year, the City holds its State of the City luncheon, which includes short videos featuring each Councilmember touring the community and sharing information about upcoming programs and projects. The end of the program includes what started out as “out-takes” of these videos but soon culminated into creative short videos with a comedic twist. Councilmembers riding on lawnmowers, “souping up” City vehicles and painting sidewalks assures that guests at the luncheon leave with a smile.

View the videos at: youtube.com/watch?v=RrFkpDquaMI