Project Experience

Libretto Communications, Inc., specializes in public relations, public involvement, community outreach, marketing, media relations, strategic communications and written/technical communications.

Political Campaigns

During 2010 and 2011, Libretto Communications played a vital role in Kansas City, Missouri's Mike Burke for Mayor campaign serving as the strategic communications director for the entire campaign. We are proud of the clean and positive campaign that we ran, taking our candidate all the way to the general election.

Specifically, Donna was responsible for the overall strategic messaging for the campaign which included: all written and electronic communications, graphic design and content development of all campaign marketing materials and mailers, social media and website content management, event planning, media relations and story pitches, advertising production and script development, including television and radio ads, speech writing, policy and position paper writing, etc.

Samples of work, including television and video spots, are below:

In 2010, Libretto Communications worked with the Environmental Defense Action Fund in building support in the State of Missouri for a Comprehensive Climate and Energy Policy for the nation. Libretto Communications was involved in the strategic communications, media relations, public outreach, and promotional efforts associated with this effort.

In 2008, Libretto Communications teamed up with Jason Parson, Democratic candidate for Missouri's General Assembly, in his bid for political office. Libretto Communications spearheaded the media relations and strategic communications elements of the campaign. Samples of press releases and news articles are below:

Public Relations and Media Relations

Libretto Communications recently wrapped up the public relations, advertising, media relations and graphic design work associated with KCRiverFest 2011, Kansas City's premiere 4th of July Holiday Weekend celebration in Berkley Riverfront Park. Libretto was responsible for the development, content creation and management of the official KCRiverFest website, www.kcriverfest.com. In addition, Libretto handled all media relations, including story pitches and news release development; advertising, which was multi-media and included online, television, print and radio advertising; copy and content development of all associated written communications; management and development of graphic design needs associated with KCRiverFest; development and management of official KCRiverFest photography and videography; management of all KCRiverFest social media platforms (facebook and twitter); and overall communications and public relations/advertising strategies.

In 2007, Libretto Communications led a strategic communications and public relations campaign for the launch of a new comic book series for mobile phones,"Thunder Road." Together with uclick, a subsidiary to Andrews McMeel Publishing, Libretto launched a targeted public relations campaign which involved the news media, both local and national, comic book enthusiasts, comic book conventions, while integrating the blogosphere to hit at the grass roots level. As a result, readership for this new comic soared, becoming uclick's most requested comic series via cell phones to date. Thunder Road is also published on the internet as of November 2007. Samples of releases, several resulting articles and a television spot are below:

In 2008, Libretto Communications was a member of a cooperative team responsible for the logistical set-up, publicity and media relations for the City of Kansas City's 2008 Green Summit. Libretto Communications was responsible for the development of all internal communications, news releases and media alerts as well as a comprehensive collateral piece for the event. As a result, more than 450 people attended the forum and the event received both local and regional media (print, radio and television) coverage.

Since 2008, Libretto Communications has been assisting incite Design Studio (iDS) in their public relations efforts. Libretto Communications devised a strategic public relations plan to accomplish two goals: bring about company awareness and highlight a specific incite Design Studio redevelopment project in Overland Park, Kansas. Work included extensive coordination with the downtown Overland Park city government, business district and community, as well as with local media representatives and organizations. All work culminated with an exclusive construction site tour of the downtown redevelopment project in which special guests and members of the media were present. The results included media coverage by three local television stations, four print media outlets and overall community awareness of both incite Design Studio and the redevelopment project. Samples include:

Strategic and Creative Communications

Libretto Communications assists its clients with their varied strategic and communications needs. While working with MWH Global, Libretto Communications developed the message and content that was then encapsulated into one dynamic marketing document. This collateral piece was combined with a presentation to the City of Fort Worth, Texas:

In 2008, Libretto Communications assisted a municipality with the marketing of a newly launched web service called WebTrac. Libretto Communications developed the concept and design for an interactive map image to be incorporated into their online reservation system. This has enabled the municipality to reach a wider audience and make services easier for its constituents. As a result, the Town of Babylon contracted with Libretto Communications in 2010 to develop the concept and design for an additional interactive map for their boat dock and slip reservation program. Samples of both projects are below:

In 2008, Libretto Communications assisted the City of Kansas City, Missouri and BNIM architects with a Sustainability Workshop for city employees. Libretto assisted with the strategic internal communications necessary in order to gain feedback from key city employees regarding sustainability and green solutions and how these initiatives pertain to their roles within city government. Gaining this information prior to the workshop was crucial to understanding their roles and enabled the team to develop a customized communications approach for the two-day workshop. The City of Kansas City, Missouri, has stated that it wants to be a nationally recognized "green" city and has taken the first steps necessary for this municipality to pave the way for other regional public institutions.

Since 2008, Libretto Communications has assisted the Town of Babylon in the development of their new web-based 311 Customer Service System. Through this online customer service system, the Town of Babylon will position itself as being transparent in its services and in assisting citizens with their concerns. Libretto Communications is part of the internal development team charged with building, organizing and branding the internal 311 system amongst all Town of Babylon employees and administrators. Libretto Communications currently holds this marketing contract with the Town of Babylon.

Public Involvement

For nearly two years, Libretto Communications worked with the City of Kansas City, Missouri's Water Services Department with the public involvement and strategic communications activities for the Middle Blue River Green Solutions Pilot Project. The pilot project is part of the Overflow Control Program and will be the largest installation of green solutions for combined sewer overflow controls currently being planned for construction in the United States. Activities included managing all public involvement for the project including meeting and coordinating communications with City Council members, key neighborhood leaders and stakeholders, the business district along Troost Ave, area churches and schools, and the local and national media. Strategies developed included an overall project communications plan; media action plan; and a public involvement approach. Materials produced included direct mailings to residents such as letters, emails, and mailers; an overall project fact sheet; project presentation; City Council monthly project update; news releases; Green Solutions education piece; various articles and information for the City's web site. Project information can be found online at www.kcmo.org/targetgreen. Libretto Communications has been involved with the Middle Blue River Green Solutions Pilot Project for both the concept and design phases of the project.

While with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, Donna was the director of the communications and public involvement team responsible for all public involvement activities for capital projects within that department. Activities ranged from logistical set up of public meetings to strategic coordination and marketing of all public involvement elements for a project.

Web Site Development

Libretto Communications has experience in developing effective and dynamic web sites that communicate the message and image clients need. In 2007, Libretto Communications worked with a local architecture firm, incite Design Studio, to develop a strong and dynamic web presence for this young firm. Libretto Communications developed both the content and design for the web site while performing project management and marketing functions as well. As a result, hits for this web site increased tenfold following the launch of the new site.

In 2008, Libretto Communications worked with a local lawn and landscaping company, Seasons Lawn and Landscapes, in the development of their company website and new company brand. This site serves as both a marketing tool and an educational format for those interested in proper lawn and landscaping maintenance of their property. As a result, customer inquiries for this company have steadily increased following the new design and launch of the web site.

Technical Writing

Libretto Communications continues to work with a local engineering company on their technical writing needs for both their internal and external audiences. Below are a few samples:

Brand Identity and Marketing

Libretto Communications worked with a small consulting company, KMT Consultants, to develop their brand identity through the creation of a logo, company colors, office templates, and marketing and collateral pieces. These pieces have increased company awareness for the new minority-owned business, resulting in additional contracts.

In 2008, Libretto Communications assisted a small painting business with its advertising and marketing needs. For this small business, advertising had never been an issue as business was always growing and "word-of-mouth" marketing was all they needed. That changed when the downturn in the housing market had adverse effects on related home improvement businesses. Libretto Communications helped this business better advertise their company and services through the use of yard signs at job sites, postcard mailers to new and existing customers and a new marketing strategy aimed at the commercial sector.