Our Work and Impact
AARP- Strategic Communications
AARP is the largest membership organization in America. Over the course of 10 years, our evolving role with AARP has ranged from strategic communications to building community and…
Airbag Recall- Community Outreach
Outreach Strategists led public engagement for the largest auto safety recall in U.S. history. In major Texas markets, including Houston and Dallas, we successfully organized a coalition of more than 140…
America in One Room- Research
In 2019, America in One room delivered 526 Americans representing 50 states to Fort Worth, Texas. Participants spent the weekend discussing and sharing their opinions and experiences about…
Austin ISD
The Austin Independent School District saw a significant decrease in student enrollment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. When schools re-opened to in-person classes, campuses across the district reported that scores of students…
BlueCross- Community Outreach
BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in Texas, approached Outreach Strategists to educate the public about their coverage options under the recently passed Affordable Care Act. We organized…
Census 2020- Community Outreach
Outreach Strategists managed regional efforts to maximize 2020 Census response rates in Harris County, the City of Houston, and Fort Bend County, with a combined budget of over $9 million. We…
Facebook- Community Engagement
Outreach Strategists is leading and implementing a community engagement initiative focused on diasporic communities and remittances (sending money to a person in another country). Working…
Harris County Resources- Rebranding
In 2021, Harris County Resources for Children and Adults (Harris County Resources), formerly Harris County Protective Services) adopted a new name. Harris County Resources launched a rebranding…
Harris County Toll Road Authority
The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) manages Texas’ most- used network of toll roads, processing more financial transactions in an average day than Amazon. When HCTRA embarked on…
Harris Health System
Helped the Harris Health System navigate a 2.58 bond to renovate and rebuild its public hospitals, expand its network of clinics, and modernize lines of care. Voters approved Harris Health’s first-ever bond referendum by a 3 to 1 margin, the largest hospital…
Houston Community College
Designed and implemented a campaign to grow Houston Community College’s reputation and drive enrollment. Using critical research, Outreach Strategists designed the culturally relevant “Real World Education” campaign, featuring HCC…
Houston Police- Training
The Outreach Cultural Intelligence training was developed for the Houston Police Department to highlight officers’ connections to the community, the effects of implicit bias, an understanding of the different roles members of society play…
Texas Department of State Health Services- Research
The US has high infant mortality rates, with around 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths annually. To improve infant health outcomes in Texas, the Department of State Health Services and Outreach…
Texas Department of State Health Services- Marketing- TV, Radio, Social Media
The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates among developed countries, as each year, about 3,500 infants die from sleep…
Uber- Public Policy
When Uber first arrived in Texas and needed help navigating the regulatory and public policy landscape, they turned to Outreach Strategists. We helped Uber negotiate an effective regulatory framework, enabling Uber to stay in Houston…
Workforce Solutions- Marketing
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the world economy. In the Houston and Gulf Coast region, unemployment skyrocketed to nearly 14%. The Gulf Coast Workforce Board–Workforce Solutions…
Workforce Solutions- TV/Video Production
Outreach Strategists assisted The Gulf Coast Workforce Board – Workforce Solutions the largest in Texas, with a public relations strategy to inform the community about Workforce Solutions’ job…
Facilitated a unique national research convening
“Together, their faces are a portrait of the American voter.”
In 2019, America in One room delivered 526 Americans representing 50 states to Fort Worth, Texas. Participants spent the weekend discussing and sharing their opinions and experiences about national policy issues.
In partnership with Stanford University’s Center for Deliberative Democracy, the National Opinion Research Center, and with funding from the Helena Foundation, Outreach Strategists helped recruit and train facilitators who led small group discussions over three days.
The experiment’s findings supported the original hypothesis- When Americans are provided with information in an environment where they can exchange ideas in a moderated space, their views move to the center of the ideological spectrum.
AARP is the largest membership organization in America.
Over the course of 10 years, our evolving role with AARP has ranged from strategic communications to building community coalitions and implementing programs across Texas. On an ongoing basis we help AARP manage community engagement efforts, such as roundtable discussions, and provide local public affairs support in key markets.
Our efforts with the City of Houston on “Complete Streets” led to an executive order in October 2013, and our payday lending work resulted in an ordinance being adopted in December 2013.
Our findings from a report on the South Asian community of Greater Houston led to the creation of a non-profit focused on meeting the needs of seniors.
Partnership with AARP, a 38-million-member strong organization, making Houston a better place to live
Created and implemented the public outreach and canvassing campaign for the Federal Monitor appointed to oversee the largest product safety recall in US history
Outreach Strategists led public engagement for the largest auto safety recall in U.S. history. In major Texas markets, including Houston and Dallas, we successfully organized a coalition of more than 140 community leaders and groups, who shared critical, life-saving information about the recall with their constituents. With a focus on minority and low-income communities, our engagement efforts included a first-of-its-kind recall canvass operation, knocking on 135,000-plus doors to urge vehicle owners to take advantage of the free life-saving recall.
Scope
The Austin Independent School District saw a significant decrease in student enrollment during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. When schools re-opened to in-person classes, campuses across the district reported that scores of students never returned. Austin ISD turned to Outreach Strategists to design and implement a major marketing campaign to win back families that had left the district for charter schools, private schools, or other options. The district also tasked Outreach Strategists with planning and facilitating a major gathering of representatives of all 116 schools to showcase their offering to families in person.
Role
Outreach Strategists began this campaign with a rapid research and analysis phase that focused on neighborhood school enrollment patterns and identifying reasons why families were choosing charter and private schools over Austin ISD campuses. Using these insights, Outreach Strategists developed a district Enrollment Guide with profiles highlighting each campus and its unique offerings. This guide, which is available in print and digitally, also features videos tailored to each campus and a photo library with curated pictures from all 116 campuses.
Outreach Strategists also devised a Marketing and Communications Plan that gave Austin ISD a detailed road map for reaching parents via paid and earned media.
Outcomes
Production of videos and photos began with the start of the new school year, and are on track to be completed in time for the district’s major recruiting effort later in the fall. When the Austin ISD Showcase event happens in October, each school will have its own brochure to show parents their unique offerings.
Designed and managed an innovative grass-tops community healthcare coalition for the state’s largest insurer
BlueCross BlueShield, the largest health insurer in Texas, approached Outreach Strategists to educate the public about their coverage options under the recently passed Affordable Care Act. We organized community leaders across major markets to help provide Texans with more information and resources. Community partners were supplied talking points, collateral materials, and social media content, which drove engagement to constituents. The campaign directly reached over 670,000 people and an additional 1.5 million were exposed to social media content.
Outreach Strategists managed regional efforts to maximize 2020 Census response rates in Harris County, the City of Houston, and Fort Bend County, with a combined budget of over $9 million. We oversaw a data-driven campaign targeting hard-to-count and rural regions with major advertising buys, digital ad placement, and community outreach and engagement.
We delivered unprecedented results, with Harris County and Houston exceeding the statewide average response rate, and Fort Bend County achieving the highest self-response rate in Texas.
Successfully led the most effective local Census efforts in Texas, maximizing response rates in Harris County, the City of Houston, and Fort Bend County
Designed and implemented a campaign to grow Houston Community College’s reputation and drive enrollment.
Using critical research, Outreach Strategists designed the culturally relevant “Real World Education” campaign, featuring HCC students in the collateral and an award-winning TV commercial.
In just one year:
- Enrollment increased by 3%, exceeding the national average;
- Site views increased 500% across all HCC web pages, and
- Completed applications and payments increased by 600%.
Helped to cultivate a distinct brand for Harris County Resources, creating a positive public perception for the organization.
SCOPE
Harris County Resources for Children and Adults (formerly Harris County Protective Services) engaged Outreach Strategists to help launch a rebranding initiative to create a positive public perception for the agency, increase public awareness of the free services they provide to the community and to cultivate a distinct brand.
ROLE
Outreach Strategists began this rebranding initiative by engaging in a discovery process to inform research strategies. Informed and empowered with critical take-aways from this research, the Creative Team at Outreach Strategists designed content to elevate the understanding of Harris County Resources, increase trust, and ultimately increase brand awareness. With input from key stakeholders including staff, board and community input, our team employed an iterative process to develop a new logo, a messaging guide, and a communications strategy. A formal brand manual was developed as well as new collateral for the organization and guidance for launching the brand on social media and in other digital spaces.
OUTCOMES
Harris County Resources for Children and Adults is now positioned to reach more individuals and reduce previous confusion on who they are and the services they provide.
Outreach Strategists’ work is helping Harris County Resources fashion a distinct and effective brand with the public, manage their interactions with the press and generate earned and digital media coverage.
Estella Olguin, Senior Communications Manager shared the following feedback about Outreach Strategists’ rebranding work:
“We love our new logo. Across the board. Everyone loves it and is excited about using it!”
“Having consistency with our brand, all over the organization– on our website, business cards, email signatures, are very important. As soon as people walk in the door, it all flows together and we love that!”
Joel Levine, Executive Director, said,
“One unexpected outcome of this rebranding initiative is that it has improved morale among our staff. People on our team are feeling more a part of the agency and are prouder to be able to say who they work for and what they do. In a time when staff can’t get salary increases, the morale is that much more important.”
“We are changing a culture that has over half a century of history. Changing that is going to take some time—but having people on board to do that is exciting!”
AMA Crystal award finalist
Helped the Harris Health System navigate a 2.58 bond to renovate and rebuild its public hospitals, expand its network of clinics, and modernize lines of care.
Voters approved Harris Health’s first-ever bond referendum by a 3 to 1 margin, the largest hospital district bond measure in Texas history.
To support this initiative, the Outreach Strategists team:
- Advised Harris Health on increasing the bond amount;
- Engaged stakeholders, monitored media and legislative activity, crafted marketing materials, and
- Developed voter education and communication strategies.
SCOPE
The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) manages Texas’ most- used network of toll roads, processing more financial transactions in an average day than Amazon. When HCTRA embarked on a plan to replace all six of the Sam Houston Tollway’s massive tolling plazas with an all-electronic tolling system, the authority turned to Outreach Strategists to design and implement a community engagement strategy to ensure that the transition away from manned toll booths would happen with minimal disruption. At the same time, HCTRA saw the project as a chance to rebrand itself as an organization that positively impacts people’s lives in ways that extend far beyond simply operating toll roads.
ROLE
The transition of the HCTRA to an all-electronic toll system involved a significant educational campaign led by Outreach Strategists. Starting with extensive research including multilingual focus groups and a landscape analysis of similar transitions, they gathered insights into driver behavior and best practices. They produced a video linking the project’s goals to HCTRA’s mission and values, and developed a comprehensive Communications Plan outlining press releases, media events, and community engagement. Additionally, they collaborated with HCTRA to introduce new branding standards, including an updated logo and the motto “HCTRA Connects.”
OUTCOMES
Insights obtained from Outreach Strategists’ research and analysis helped HCTRA design new tollway signage that clearly and effectively helps drivers adjust to the new driving conditions. HCTRA leaders have conducted multiple public presentations on the project using the materials we developed to help the public understand the changes and the values that are driving them forward.
These efforts have earned HCTRA leadership various awards and recognitions within their industry. The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has invited HCTRA leaders to conduct multiple presentations on the project’s successes at conferences across the nation. Most importantly, the transition to all- electronic tolling has been conducted with no major disruptions and public safety has been enhanced.
Scope
The United States has one of the highest infant mortality rates among developed countries, as each year, about 3,500 infants die from sleep-related deaths. Research and science repeatedly show that the adoption of continuous breastfeeding and the implementation of safe infant sleep practices are linked to reducing sleep-related deaths.
Role
In an effort to reduce the number of infant deaths and to educate and support new moms on the benefits of breastfeeding using Safe Infant Sleep (SIS) practices, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), in partnership with Outreach Strategists (OS), launched a statewide marketing initiative to engage communities around safe infant sleep and breastfeeding practices. The campaign was on television, radio and digital across the state.
To reach a broad base audience across Texas, the OS’ team employed a bilingual digital campaign geo-targeted to reach high-risk areas for infant mortality, caregivers, health partners, hospital leaders, obstetrics- serving and children’s hospitals. The campaign ran across Meta platforms; Facebook and Instagram, LinkedIn, programmatic display ads, over-the-top television (OTT) and T.V. and radio ads.
The campaign achieved the goal of reaching across the state of Texas to share critical infant sleep safety messages and breastfeeding resources with parents as well as caregivers and healthcare providers to save the lives of babies.
Results
A total of 3,502 TV spots ran on 15 stations in English and Spanish, including Fox, CBS, NBC, Telemundo, and Univision affiliates across Texas Nearly 4,000 total radio spots ran on 15 English and Spanish stations, including 104.5 FM Latin Hits, Majic 93.3 and more.
Scope
The US has high infant mortality rates, with around 3,500 sleep-related infant deaths annually. To improve infant health outcomes in Texas, the Department of State Health Services and Outreach Strategists conducted market research with the following goals:
Increase awareness and uptake of breastfeeding support practices; and
Increase awareness and dissemination of evidence-based protective factors and risk reduction strategies for infant sleep safety. Key audiences for this work included parents and other infant caregivers, publvic health partners, employers, healthcare providers and hospital systems.
Role
Outreach Strategists’ research team studied current care standards, challenges, and opportunities for a comprehensive solution, including existing statewide and national campaigns promoting breastfeeding and safe infant sleep. The team’s recommendations were based on research-based best practices.
Outreach Strategists’ market research process consisted of:
Conducting a landscape analysis to evaluate current practices, regulations, goals, and results relating to breastfeeding and safe infant sleep at the international, national, and state levels, as reported by public health institutions.
Aggregating and synthesizing the standards and best practices urged by public health agencies and advocacy organizations in the areas of breastfeeding and safe infant sleep.
Identifying and cataloging existing awareness efforts by state and local health organizations seeking to promote better health outcomes.
Reviewing messaging content and audience targeting to identify best practices for ongoing communication strategies, including LinkedIn, programmatic display ads, over-the-top television (OTT), TV, and radio ads.
Results
The 76-page report examined previous campaigns promoting breastfeeding support practices and safe infant sleep recommendations, identifying methods to build support for health-promoting practices. It revealed the need for education and engagement of everyone in a child’s ecosystem and encouraged institutions to model and support these practices. The report informed a statewide bilingual social media and digital campaign, including social media ads, videos, TV, and radio ads targeting caregivers, public health partners, and hospital leaders.
Workforce Solutions “Your Career Your Choice Powered by Workforce Solutions”
SCOPE
The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the world economy. In the Houston and Gulf Coast region, unemployment skyrocketed to nearly 14%. The Gulf Coast Workforce Board–Workforce Solutions is the public workforce development agency serving Houston, Harris County, and twelve surrounding counties that comprise the Gulf Coast workforce development region. It is the largest of 28 such regions in Texas. The organization provides job search services, training opportunities, and other available resources to help job seekers. Since 2016, Outreach Strategists has helped Workforce Solutions raise awareness and bring visibility across the local media ecosystem, including video, and earned media. Federal law prohibits using workforce development funding on traditional advertising; therefore, earned media coverage has become the de facto mechanism for promoting their services to the public.
ROLE
In order to reach the areas most affected, Outreach Strategists assisted The Gulf Coast Workforce Board – Workforce Solutions with a public relations strategy to inform the community about Workforce Solutions’ job search services, training opportunities, and other resources. Because of the TV’s broad reach, Outreach Strategists helped facilitate engagement with local television stations, including KHOU-TV Channel 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, resulting in station management offering a weekly 30-minute time slot on co-owned KTBU-TV Channel 55 (Quest Network) at no cost to the agency. The result was a magazine-talk show hybrid format TV series called Your Career Your Choice – Powered by Workforce. A proof-of-concept pilot episode was produced in March 2021 and presented to KHOU-TV management in June 2021. The outlet picked up the program with an initial 13-episode order for the first season.
Workforce Solutions “Your Career Your Choice Powered by Workforce Solutions”
OBJECTIVES
Outreach Strategists assisted The Gulf Coast Workforce Board – Workforce Solutions the largest in Texas, with a public relations strategy to inform the community about Workforce Solutions’ job search services, training opportunities, and other resources.
Because of the TV’s broad reach, Outreach Strategists helped facilitate engagement with local television stations, including KHOU-TV Channel 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, resulting in station management offering a weekly 30-minute time slot on co-owned KTBU-TV Channel 55 (Quest Network) at no cost to the agency. The result was a magazine-talk show hybrid format TV series called, “Your Career Your Choice – Powered by Workforce Solutions”.
The main objective for this project was to reach the people affected by increasing unemployment after the pandemic and help Houstonians find and keep better employment opportunities through Workforce Solutions’ services.
Built community support for Facebook’s cutting-edge digital wallet technology
Outreach Strategists is leading and implementing a community engagement initiative focused on diasporic communities and remittances (sending money to a person in another country).
Working with partners and contacts in the Los Angeles area, home to one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations in the county, we have organized an ongoing series of roundtables, both in-person and digital, to discuss remittances and the digital wallet solution.
Facebook uses the consensus built from these roundtables to demonstrate support for their product.
Navigated local and state affairs for a global transportation disruptor
When Uber first arrived in Texas and needed help navigating the regulatory and public policy landscape, they turned to Outreach Strategists. We helped Uber negotiate an effective regulatory framework, enabling Uber to stay in Houston during Super Bowl LI and beyond.
Developed a groundbreaking Implicit Bias Training curriculum and successfully trained 5,200 officers for HPD
This has been the best in-service class I’ve had in 23 years.
December 2015
As police officers the relationship we have with citizens of the community is crucial. This class can, and did, help me develop perspectives from different roles related to policies and media. Great course. Very helpful.
May 2016
The roleplay is strong and the class does a good job of getting you to step outside your normal role. Made me focus a little more on dealing with people as individuals, not representatives of groups.
August 2016
