PR Plan 2018 – 2019
Abstract
This document outlines a PR campaign aimed to reposition Taff as a forward thinking, innovative and socially responsible housing association and support provider among their key stakeholders and influencers. This campaign will run for 12 months.
Background
Taff Housing Association (Taff) is a not-for-profit registered social landlord (RSL) that builds, owns, lets and manages rental housing to those who may otherwise not be able to afford it, also providing specialist supporting housing projects for young homeless women . Established in 1975 it is proud to be a smaller, well-known community based housing association within Cardiff and is a registered charity. Profits deliver more than just homes to clients by enabling people to access skills, opportunities and support without being discriminated against because of their social housing background Taff realise that a strong relationship with the community helps to build a stronger organisation. As part of the current business plan Taff’s vision is to build foundations for better futures through innovation, listening to people and investing in homes and communities.
Objectives
• To reposition Taff as a forward thinking, innovative and socially responsible organisation
• To raise awareness of the unique support services that Taff compared to other housing associations and support providers
• To encourage these stakeholders and influencers to engage with Taff over any other RSL and support provider/organisation. (REWORD)
• To engage influencers to result in new business relationships
Analysis
A SWOT analysis, below, has identified key opportunities and potential issues when repositioning Taff in the minds of key stakeholders and influencers. These factors have informed the plan’s content and will determine the success of the campaign.
Strengths
• Providing support that is unavailable anywhere else in Wales
• Reliability & Credibility
• Passionate employees
• Business location
• Provider of free accredited training to all
Weaknesses
• Traditional practices
• Absence of clear communication
• Visual and written brand recognition
• Employees not believing that change is possible
• External image of head office
Opportunities
• Awards
• Increase in internal resources
• Update of website
• Office redesign project
Threats
• Funding cuts resulting in higher competition for funding grants
• Change in legislation or regulation
• Increased amount of people on universal credit
• Can be easily ignored
Information of other Cardiff Housing Associations and support providers was used to help inform the SWOT analysis.
The way that Taff must manage structure and undertake its public relations activities is unique; that is because as an organisation it is unique .A medium sized organisation, Taff touches the lives of citizens each year in a variety of ways from providing a home and support that prevents the cycle of homelessness through to money advice, providing jobs and training opportunities and access work. But our organisation does not work in isolation together with other agencies Taff are able to change lives.
Following significant restructure over the last 5 years, the organisation has struggled to maintain the consistency of brand identity and effectively communicate their successes and values when compared to their competitors; especially when applying for support grants, additional housing funding, and raising awareness of their role as a social landlord. Taff are often seen as a ‘traditional organisation that has not moved forward’ . This has been identified as a problem within this business especially as a [the 2016-17 Homelessness in Wales report by Welsh Government cite that for Wales as a whole, 81.7 per 10,000 households were assessed as homeless in 2016-17, compared with a rate of 51.9 during 2015-16 . Pressures from external publics are intensifying as homelessness, and organisations that are involved in homelessness and housing, are scrutinised by the media. With additional figures from the National Audit Office citing that about 10% of the eventual number of claimants are now claiming Universal Credit it is forecast that there will be significant increase demand on organisations such as Taff. This has resulted in increased competition for additional funding and support grants. Taff has already lost many support grants to competitors as a result.
As further research a survey (appendix 1) was conducted and sent to key stakeholders and influencers. The answer to these questions has enabled Taff to have a current understanding of positioning amongst these two target audiences and their current perception of Taff.
Councillors Staff Trade Media
Welsh Government Board Local Media
Funders/Grant Organisations Residents & Resident Voice National Media
Local Authority Service Users
Regulator Other Housing Associations
Other Support Providers
Key Publics
Due to the organisation type, Taff’s key publics can be divided into two groups who will require different public relation needs. These groups are demonstrated in the diagram below and have been analysed for their individual needs (Appendix 2). Business press in both the local media and the trade media should be kept informed as they have the ability to influence and reach other key influencers who could positively impact on the campaign. Appropriate effective relationships with the media can be an important tool to change the current perception of Taff Housing Association among publics.
Content
– Taff Housing Association work and support those who….
– Taff Housing Association
– XXYYZ
– XXYYXXX
– XXYYZZZ
– XXUUUXX
The PESO model will be used in order to increase engagement by combining thoughtful and helpful content with the messages of Taff’s values.
By placing these two together, and sharing information on the correct format with the correct language for the public it is targeted to Taff will be seen as an expert which will result in greater influencer engagement and partnerships .
Themes will be presented in actionable content, normal content & Interactive content. This will appeal to all personality types within each public and provide information in a relevant way. Providing information in this way also enables Taff to explore different ways of communication, which will support the efforts in becoming an innovative organisation in the mind of their publics.
Communications
As identified in the SWOT analysis and the research survey, Taff’s communication strategy has failed. Upon review of the strategy elements are not appropriate for targeted publics and others are forgotten. The strategy should support the business by increasing the visibility and credibility of Taff Housing Association and its reputation with all publics. All board members and employees are ambassadors for Taff. Relating to our current business plan, everyone must invest in its principles in order for it to succeed, whilst as an organisation we must scrutinise ourselves to identify when we are not meeting targets or in areas where we could improve . Although Taff’s communication is undertaken through a variety of channels and formats there are no quality assurance processes. By implementing such process it would be hoped that the confused communication style could be reduced and Taff’s verbal and visual brand strengthened.
Strategy
An initial evaluation of Taff’s website and social channels will be undertaken, with content updated in order to appeal to the publics appropriately. A review of social media and website policy is essential to identify current practices. Digital champions within the organisation will be re-trained and advised in order for content to be consistent. A quality assurance practice will also be put in place.
Currently, Taff do not promote any information around disability and inclusivity of groups such as LGBTW+. This will be changed in order to convey Taff’s current vision and values to the publics. In order to be as accessible as possible the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 will be followed.
A content plan with business trade press will be identified to keep publics up to date with Taff’s achievements whilst informing of the role the organisation play. Analytics from this content is measureable from analytics and recording and increase contact rate to business through telephone communication.
Key Risk Action to mitigate risk
Could be “blamed” for Government policy and finance decisions Provide information to stakeholders so they are aware of Government decisions.
Low staff morale due to planned changes – resulting in poorer service to customers Internal comms need to express and engage all staff. Working with Heads of Service & HR to manage.
Comms also to sit in staff briefings to understand issues that employees are facing.
Failure to manage media relations effectively could result in negative headlines Ensure resource available to manage PR. Ensure appropriate prioritisation takes place.
Failure to effectively publicise key initiatives, resulting in poor take up of services Forward Plan developed and agreed with service heads/directors
Continued failure identifiable brand/ recognition of its values and how they deliver excellent services Creation of brand and vision guidelines and quality assurance to be applied.
Sporadic requests for campaigns/initiatives/spend not already considered or funded – as has been traditional as Taff Content to be scrutinised before publicising to determine worth.
Tactics
Taff will incorporate various tactics in order to meet all objectives outlined in this campaign and to reposition themselves as a forward thinking, innovative and socially responsible housing association and support provider.
Activity To Meet Objective(s)
Entrance into relevant awards 1,2,4
Weekly content plan with business press and trade media 1,2,3,4
To increase video content on website and social media channels
Examples: how to videos for tenants, videos of achievements & development progress 1, 3
To produce an internal communication update for employees and board 2,3
To increase community investment activity by using special events, media relations, social media and community relations. 1,3
Community fun days open to Taff’s clients, business partners and the wider community 2,4
Launch of new support services brand strategy 1,2,3,4
To work on an internal strategy that will address the communication issues internally.
3
Communication in languages relevant to further understanding 1,2,3,4
Timescales
Although the campaign duration is set as 12 months it is understood by the organization that to change image among all publics can take a significant amount of time. This will be impacted by physical appearance as well as organizational practices. Therefore the positioning of Taff should be evaluated at the end of this campaign and look to extend the length of the campaign if appropriate.
Resources
Resource Cost (£) Estimated Work Hours
Business News Wales (Online Trade Press Magazine) Content to be given weekly to update page that will reach external business publics – targeted. £15,000 (NEED TO CHECK) 1 hour per press release
Awards Free to enter. Cost is covered if a finalist. £0 1 hour per award submission
Adverts in trade press magazines 24 Housing
Inside Housing £600 Use pre-existing marketing material.
Adapting material should take no longer than 30 minutes
Community Events Community Funday (Each)
Pride Cymru x 5 representatives
Tidy Wales £8,000
£1
£0 2x 8 hour events
Planning events 6 hours
Community events <8 hour
Printed Material £500
Social media Videos & Production
Scheduled sponsored posts £0
£60 Per social champion <2 hours weekly
Website review New, bespoke
Support Time – 24 hours £15,000
£0 24 hours
Survey Monkey £45
Staff Travel to and from events £500
Brand content plan Internal £0 1 month & review
Communication in appropriate languages & improving inclusivity/accessibility £100 – through events and specialist equipment/interpreters if needed Constant need. Initial undertake will require a significant amount of time.
Contingency £2,000
Total £28,210
Measurement & Evaluation
Activities will be monitored throughout the campaign to ensure that each activity is reaching the appropriate target audience and is having the desired effect. This will allow for relevant adjustments to be made where results are failing to deliver the objectives outlined in this campaign . Formative evaluation will monitor activities throughout the campaign and will monitor that nothing is missed whilst enabling clear communication across all sections of the company. Summative evaluation will take place at the end to evaluate and measure impact of the campaign as a whole and to determine whether an extended period for the campaign is relevant.
1. Increase in awareness of Taff Housing Association’s services and practices within one year.
– Measureable: Taff will track all website traffic using Google Analytics and use social media platforms insight data reports to show an increase in engagement, with particular interest of new engagers. After completion of the campaign a second conduction of the survey will be undertaken to measure the influence on the engagement in the positioning of Taff Housing Association among these publics.
2. Increased interaction by 10% within one year.
– Measureable: Taff will track all new communications with external publics to determine if this number is increasing for positive reasons.
3. Change in communication practices internally
– Policies and practices internally will be reviewed in order to improve communication and efficiency of cross department working. Measureable: By increased communication of success stories to the communications assistant. Increased engagement and knowledge will be evaluated in staff survey. Analytics will be used on intranet to measure increased engagement.
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Appendix 1 – Taff Housing Association Survey
Appendix 2 – Detailed analysis of key stakeholders and influencers and their needs.
Audience They need What Taff Offers Channels
Councillors Votes: To be re-elected
Results: They can take credit for
Happy constituents
Problems to be resolved
To look good in the eyes of their party
Funding/support to deliver projects/priorities/promises
To be able to go back to their constituents (quick response)
Homes for voters
Products and services that meet their promises
Opportunities to raise their profile (to take credit)
Opportunities to shine in the eyes of the party
Quick response/solutions on problems
Results
A better chance of happy constituents
Safe bet (reliable, well established)
Face to face
Visits
Letters
Local PR
Industry PR
Third parties: Residents/ businesses
Welsh Government Homes
Regeneration
Employment opportunities
To allocate funding
Safeguard reputation
Care for target groups
Cost savings
Excellent projects
Homes
Services
Building new homes
Local regeneration
Employment and training
Saving public service budgets
Delivering their targets (e.g. digital inclusion, green)
Local/ trade/national PR
Think tanks
Speaker opportunities
Visits
Events
Third parties esp. local MPS
Blogs
Website
Funders/ Grant Organisations Good return on investment
Quality assurance
Good PR
A professional supplier/industry leader
To be able to demonstrate corporate social responsibility
We help them to meet their targets
Deliver quality services
Best practice
Results
We can be trusted
High standards
Trade/national PR
Staff
Website
Corporate communication n tools
Visits
Third parties
Regulator To know we are well-run
Value for money
A ‘safe-bet’
Quality homes and services
Value for money
Good governance
Face to face
Visits
Corporate publications
Staff Enjoy their job
Feel recognized (pay and benefits)
Feel valued
Feel their input counts
Training and development opportunities
Feel supported Great location
Training
Benefit and reward package
‘Well-being’
The opportunity to make a difference
Informal Peer-networks
Board To feel valued
To influence/have a say
To share their knowledge
To know residents are being listened to/ valued
To understand
They can make a difference
To know they can hold us to account
The opportunity to input
Opportunities to take credit/feel proud
Training and development
Results
Recognition
Information
Meetings
Visits
Events
Residents Homes
Help (e.g. Getting back to work)
Advice and support
Repairs
Us to be there for them/a friend
To be able to pay their rent
To feel safe and secure/nice standard of living
Quick resolution to problems
To feel listened to
Communication they are able to understand
Cultural understanding Homes
Services
Support
Caring and knowledgeable Staff Face to face
Staff
Leaflets
Letters
Handbook
Newsletters
Events
Rent statements
Reception
Website
Social Media
Residents Voice To feel valued
To influence/have a say
To share their knowledge
To know residents are being listened to/ valued
To understand
They can make a difference
To know they can hold us to account
To be re- elected
Training and development
The opportunity to input
Opportunities to raise their profile (to take credit)
Structure for solutions on resident problems
Training and development
Results
Recognition
Information
Meetings
Visits
Events
Corporate publications
Face to face
Taff Talkabout Magazine
Local PR
Service Users As above As above As above
Other Housing Associations Ideas
Homes
Results
Partners
A good reputation
Funding
Good staff
Good ideas
Partnership opportunities
Allies
Industry bodies
Local/Trade PR
Visits
Events
Website
Social media
Networks
Other Support Providers As above As above As above
Media Good stories
Sell publications
Increase readership
Good staff
Good reputation
Stories
Ideas
Informed opinion
Website
Social media
Third parties
Staff
Face to face
Press releases
High Risk, High Interest
Regulators
Welsh Government
Council
High Risk, Low interest
Residents Voice
Funders/ Grant Organisations
Low risk, high interest
Residents
Service Users
Media
Board
Low risk, low interest
Other support providers
Other housing associations
Staff
Statement of personal reflection
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