For the first time ever, the City of Greenville has won two prestigious national awards for its communications efforts. The City won a SAVVY award and an Award of Excellence from the City / County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) for two of its videos promoting City projects and educating Greenville’s residents.

“I could not be more thrilled,” said Communications Manager / Public Information Officer Steve Hawley. “We have worked very hard through the years to develop effective messages and received accolades on the regional and state level. For the City to win two of these coveted prizes from a national, respected organization like 3CMA is a flattering recognition of the talent and professionalism of our City’sPublic Information Office.”

The SAVVY is 3CMA’s highest award and was given to Greenville for its Citizens Academy Man promotional video. In the commercial, an ordinary City worker hears the need for help and changes into our own superhero,Citizens Academy Man. He takes to the skies over Greenville to encourage people to join the Academy to learn how the City operates and how they can get involved. Judges from across the country described the spot as a “fun concept with a clear message.” Creativity is always a plus, but more importantly, the spot was effective too, increasing participation in the Academy by more than 300%!

Wrestling a Hurricane garnered an Award of Excellence for its campy presentation of the important message of hurricane preparedness. In the series of Public Service Announcements, a fictional wrestler, The Hurricane, and his sidekick, Tropical Storm, meet their match. Judges said, “Who knew hurricane preparedness could be laugh out-loud funny?” Viewers responded to the call for action by increasing visits to the City’s webpage explaining how to prepare for a hurricane.

Hawley said, “3CMA members recognize the ultimate challenge for local government lies in converting passive consumers of public services into responsible, supportive citizens. The City’s communications efforts have come a long way towards overcoming that challenge and I believe these awards show that.”

Founded in 1988, 3CMA is an organization of government communicators with more than 700 City and County members from a number of governmental disciplines and functions.

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