COVID-19 Communications and Public Information (Including “the Alligator Graphic”)

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2021

Three words: the alligator graphic. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Leon County Community and Media Relations, in close coordination with the Florida Department of Health and Leon County Emergency Management, have generated consistent, accurate, relevant, and timely messaging to help citizens and businesses stay informed on the latest COVID-19 public health guidance. Over the past year, Leon County’s creative, targeted messaging campaigns have reminded citizens to remain #SaferAtHome, reminded citizens that “It’s Not Too Much to Mask,” and reinforced important social distancing behavior to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Most notably, Leon County’s innovative communication efforts cautioned citizens to keep six feet between one another, or approximately the length of one alligator (yes – that was us!). That graphic alone generated more than 1 million impressions and over 100,000 social media engagements, appearing in more than 120 local and national news outlets including CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and in the Boston Globe. Additionally, it was featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. In all, Leon County’s critical COVID-19 public health messages have been seen, read, and heard more than 26 million times – and counting – across every available public information platform including radio, TV, print, billboards, digital marketing, social media, community outreach, and more.