Communications and Outreach

Communications and Outreach Highlights (July 2023 to June 2024)

Planned, developed, promoted and executed large-scale County events

• Groundbreakings for the Cabarrus County Library and Active Living Center at Afton Ridge and the Mt. Pleasant Library and Active Living Center
• Grand openings of the Frank Liske Park Barn and EMS Headquarters
• ALP Senior Health and Wellness Expo (developed marketing campaign)
• EMS Hearts and Heroes (livestreamed event, managed marketing)
• Earned the national first place Savvy Award from the 3CMA for Best Use of Humor in a promotional product for the “Cybersecurity Matters with Jack Dodd” video.
• Earned four statewide NC3C awards for best podcast, best writing, best internal newsletter and best special event.
• In conjunction with IT, implemented a new broadcast system that moved operations from a hardware-based system to one driven by software. This allows us to leverage the talents of Cabarrus County’s IT department for troubleshooting. It also streamlined production workflow and created the ability to remotely manage a meeting.
• Communications Manager Dominique Clark serving as Treasurer for North Carolina City and County Communicators (NC3C) group.
• DirectConnect employee newsletter increased to an average open rate of 56%, up from 48% (up from 38%).
• Drafted and distributed an average of 10 DirectConnect emails per month.
• Instituted the Low Downs, a message sent directly from County Manager Mike Downs recapping the monthly department head meeting.
• Planned and/or assisted with 10 internal events, including employee appreciation, meet-and-greets with county management and more.
• Added Communications Specialist Macy Andrews, who immediately impacted our efforts. Macy focuses on social media and external newsletters, but she’s made a major difference in our overall production.
• Revamped and expanded the County’s Social Media Use Policy (currently under review by Legal).
• Reintroduced the County’s external newsletter, now called CabConnect, employing a streamlined format and regular feature sections.
• Cabarrus County, Kannapolis and Concord will be hosting the statewide NC3C conference this year, and the Communications and Outreach team will do a panel discussion on the evolution of "Cabarrus This Week."

• Develop an interactive experience and staff the Cabarrus County Fair in September
• Coordinate parade efforts for the Christmas parade series and Fourth of July events
• Assist with Hearts and Heroes for Cabarrus County EMS
• Assist with Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office Law Day Celebration