COM 280T:  Political Communication

Signs/Stickers/Hangers/Literature/Freebies/Name Recognition Plan
100 Points, due in 2 weeks

You have learned of the value of name-recognition and recall in class.  One way to build and maintain recognition and to help with image is the good old fashioned yard sign and associated media.  Your campaign will need to develop an outreach plan.  You will need to include the following:

I.  What are you going to have?

            A.  Signs (4x8, yard, billboard, etc…)
            B.  Bumper stickers
            C.  Lapel stickers
            D.  Door hangers (“voter cards”)
            E.  Freebies (pins, fans, post-its, pens, pencils, etc…)
            F.  Literature/mailers
            G.  ???
(Of course you will decide as a campaign which of these to use or not and anything else you want that I have not mentioned.)

II.  A budget/timeline for purchase/distribution

            A.  How much do these things cost?
            B.  How many will you need of each?
            C.  What can you afford based on your budget (that you already have)
            D.  How/when/where will you use/distribute this stuff?
                        1)  Walking plan for door hangers and talking with voters at home
                        2)  Who will distribute signs?  Where?  When? 
                        3)  What will you have at events, etc.

III.  What is it going to look like?

            A.  Sample sign
            B.  Sample bumper sticker
            C.  Sample lapel sticker/pin
            D.  Sample of a door hanger/literature/mailer
            E.  Sample of one other item. 
(These need only be mock-ups, not the real deal.)

Notes/Hints:
1.  Everything you need to know is available in this room or on the web.
2.  Consistency of message includes consistency of look and feel of campaign across media.
3.  Key concepts to remember:  MESSAGE, RECALL, ATTENTION-GETTING
4.  Don’t drown in text.
5. Which of the above items can you use to promote your website or get contributions?       
6.  Budget controls everything!  If you don’t have the money, you can’t do it.
7.  Cross promote:  can callers ask about signs, door knockers can do the same, etc…