2015 Award Winners

Congratulationstothefollowingawardwinnersinthe2015NorthernLightsContestsponsored

bytheMinnesotaAssociationofGovernmentCommunicators(MAGC).Thisyear’scontestdrew

150entriesfromacrossthestateand87wererecognizedwitheitheranAwardofMeritor

Excellence.EightentrieswerenominatedforBestofShow.

Promotional or Informational Brochures – More than 12 pages

AwardofMeritBeyondtheFaucet

St.PaulRegionalWaterServices

JodiWallin,Jodi.wallin@ci.stpaul.mn.us

BeyondtheFaucetisasmallbookletof20pagesthattracesthehistoryofthewaterutilityto

thepresentday,usingstrongtext,illustrativephotosandmaps,andaneasytofollowlayoutto

tellthestoryofthewaterutility.

AwardofMeritHopkinsCommunityEducationEarlyChildhoodFamilyEducation(ECFE)WinterSpring2015

Catalog(producedin2014)

HopkinsPublicSchools

MerissaEiler,Merissa_eiler@hopkinsschools.org

TheEarlyChildhoodcatalogisameanstoattractfamilieswithinfantstoourschooldistrict

community.Werecentlyre-designedthecatalogtoattractanewdemographic(millennials)

thathavesoughtsimilarprogrammingelsewhereasnewparents.Streamlined,elegantdesignis

anexpectationforthisdemographic,knownforsharingpicturesofthethingstheyconsume

andfindinspiring.TheECFEpublicationisnowmorevisuallyappealinginawaythatreaches

thetargetaudience,whileprovidingthesamehigh-qualityclassesourbestcustomersexpect.

Asasidebenefit,thecatalogislessexpensive(by10centerpercatalog)tomail.

AwardofMeritStandingTall

MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources

JenniferTeegarden,Jennifer.teegarden@state.mn.us

StandingTallisa32page,phot-richpublicationproducedbytheMinnesotaDepartmentof

NaturalResources(DNR)DivisionofForestrytoshowcaseMinnesota’sforestsandthedivision’s

work.Itprovidesdetailedinformationandengagingphotostoillustratehowthedivision

managesnearlyfivemillionacresofstateforestlandforthebenefitofallMinnesotans.The

magazine’scontenthighlightshowthedivisionusessustainableforestrypracticestoharvest

timber,engageinlong-termplanningtomaintainhealthyforests,andhowitworkswiththe

public. Visual Design – Logos/illustrations/graphics AwardofMeritMetroTransitGo-ToCardRedesign

MetroTransit

SharonFeiner,Sharon.feiner@metrotransit.org

TheopeningoftheMETROGreenLinewasabigeventforMetroTransit.Thelaunchofsuchahighimpactnewservicegavetheagencyanopportunitytoredesignandupdateelementsinitscollateraluniverse.Onewasthe“family”ofbrandedfarecardsthatcustomersuse,suchasreusableMetropass,CollegePassandStudentPasscards,Go-ToCards,andmore.Theformercarddesignbecameoutdated,inconsistentbetweencardtypesandsomewhat“outofbrand.”TheredesignupdatestheGo-ToCardlogoandgivesallfarecardsastrong,unifiedlookandbrandidentities.AwardofMeritSustainableSLPCityofSt.LouisPark,MNNicolePribbenow,npribbenow@stlouispark.org

TheEnvironmentandSustainabilityCommission:SustainableSLP,cametousaskingforhelpwithcreatingabrandidentity.TheirspecificneedsweretocommunicatetheywereacommissionendorsedbytheCityofSt.LouisPark,andtocommunicatetheirfourmainareasofconcentration:Water,Environment,HumanandEnergystewardship.Ourgraphicdesigner,MistyLewis,wasinspiredbythesimplicityoftheFlatDesignstylebecauseitofferedaclean,

unclutteredwaytopresentallfourareaswithicons.Theboldfontmadeiteasytohighlighttheactionword“able”(insustainable)toenforcetheideathatsustainabilityissomethingthatisattainableinourcommunity.Finally,thecolorsareapartofthecity’sbranding.ThesustainableSLPlogotiesinwellwithanycity/SustainableSLPjointproject.Therearethetwoversionsofthelogohorizontalforwebsitepurposesandroundforsocialmediapurposes.AwardofExcellence“We’reMakingItEasiertoGetUpandDownFranceAvenue”CityofEdina,MNJenniferBennerotte,jbennerotte@EdinaMN.govEdinaconstructed$4.09millioninpedestrianimprovementsonFranceAvenueatthreekeyintersections.Asmanyas30,000vehiclestravelthestretch,whichincludestworegionalshoppingcenters,otherretailersandseveralmedicalbuildingsanchoredbyahospital.Trafficwasaffectedduringconstruction,affectingresidentsandbusinesses.Theprojectwasbrandedwiththetheme“We’reMakingItEasiertoGetUpandDownFranceAvenue.”Staffcreatedahand-illustratedinfographicexplainingtheimprovementsateachintersection.Theillustrationwasusedindisplaysandposters,abrochure,tableclingsatoneofthemall’sfoodcourtsandmailings.Visual Design – Other/Themes AwardofMeritBurnsvilleThenandNow:50thAnniversaryPostcards

CityofBurnsville

MartyDoll,marty.doll@burnsvillemn.gov

In2014,Burnsville’sCommunicationsDepartmentdevelopedaseriesofsixpostcardsforthe

City’syear-long50thAnniversarycelebration.Thepostcardsmergehistoricalandmodern-day

photographstoshowhowBurnsvillelooked“then”and“now.”

AwardofMeritOpen&LocalCampaign

CityofSt.LouisPark

NicolePribbenow,npribbenow@stlouispark.org

St.LouisParkunderwentmassiveconstructionaroundtheHighway7andLouisianaAvenueInterchangeareain2014.Becauseoftheconstruction,detoursandthelengthoftheproject,thecityofferedadvertisinginthelocalSunSailorandpostcardstothebusinessesinthatarea.WecalledthecampaignOpenandLocal.Wewantedtomakeitclearthatdespitetheconstruction,thesebusinesseswereopenandeagertoservethepublic.Wewantedtobring

attentiontoeachbusinesslocationinthatarea,sothesimplemapfeaturingastarforthebusinesslocationwascreated.Weincludedrelevantinformationtotheconsumer(hoursopen,website,email,phonenumber,address)andaparagraphaboutthatbusiness.Itwasagreatwaytomakeaneye-catchingadvertisementtoremindresidentstosupportthelocalbusinessesintheirarea.AwardofExcellenceRamseyCountyRebrandingRamseyCountyJohnSiqveland,john.siqveland@ramsey.co.mn.usAlthoughRamseyCounty’sbright‘bigredR’hasbeenarecognizablesymbolfordecades,alackofstandardsforitsuseasthecounty’sdefinitivelogoandtheabsenceofbrandguidelinesanddisciplineledtomultipleoffshootsthatseverelydilutedthecounty’sbrandidentity.In2013,theCountyBoardrecognizedthatresidents,businessesandvisitorsweresometimesatalosstodecipherwhichservicesRamseyCountywasprovidingthroughitsmultipleprograms,departmentsandlocationsandcommittedtoasystematicandunifiedrebrandingeffort.Across-departmentalteamofcommunicatorswasassembledtocompletetheprojectbythecloseof2014.AwardofExcellenceStateFairCampaignMetroTransitSharonFeiner,Sharon.feiner@metrotransit.orgMetroTransit’suniquerelationshipwiththeStateFairhasprovidedittheexceptionalopportunitytowhiskmillionsofMinnesotanstoandfromtheannual“GreatMinnesotaGetTogether.”Infact,itsred“T”logoandridingthebushavebecomepartoftheStateFairexperience–justliketherestoftheevent’sveryrecognizableandiconicimagesfeaturedinthe2014campaign.The“Tradition”conceptemergedayearbeforetheevent.DesignerLeahJanzspenttimeshootingoriginalphotosofbestlovedStateFairsightsandiconicsymbols,thenincorporatingtheMetroTransitlogoinwhimsicalways.AwardofExcellenceSwitchMyTripMetroTransitSharonFeiner,Sharon.feiner@metrotransit.orgIn2014,MetroTransitCommuterServiceswantedtorefreshitslongstandingCommuterChallengeprogramwithanengaging“tryit”campaign.Itwantedaretooledandre-energizedoutreachcampaignthatwasaimeddirectlyatpeoplewhousuallydrivealone.

Theexistingprogramneededrebranding,adifferentlookandanewname.ItdevisedacampaignusingSwitchMyTripasacompellinglinethatdoubledasacalltoaction,invitingdriverstotakeasimplepledge:selectjustonetripforwhichthey’dnormallydrive,andinsteadtaketheirbike,carpoolorvanpool,ortakeabusortrain.Periodical Printed Publications – External Audience AwardofMeritAnokaCountyNewsAnokaCountyRuthBedor,ruth.bedor@co.anoka.mn.usAnokaCountyNewsisafreenewslettermailedthreetimesayeartoeveryhouseholdinAnokaCounty.ItfeaturesinformationaboutprogramsandservicesprovidedbyAnokacountygovernmentaswellasupdatesonimportantissuesandsignificantprojects.AwardofExcellenceBriefingCityofBloomingtonJanineHill,jhill@bloomingtonmn.govTheCity’snewsletterBriefingcontainsbackgroundandup-to-dateinformationondepartmentsandactivities.Thenewsletterispublishedsixtimesperyearandismailedtoallhouseholdsandbusinesses.ItspurposeistoinformreadersaboutCitynewsandservices,andmarketthecommunity.AwardofExcellenceTrendsMagazineMinnesotaDepartmentofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopmentJoIverson,Jo.Iverson@state.mn.usTrendsisafreequarterlymagazinepublishedbytheMinnesotaDepartmentofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopment(DEED)everyMarch,June,SeptemberandDecember.Thegoalofthemagazineistoputcontexttotheagency’swealthofrawdata,suchasunemploymentrelated,jobgrowthprojections,wageandsalarybreakdowns,laborforceparticipationratesandmuchmoreDEEDanalystsreviewthenumbersandproducestoriesthathelpshedlightontheMinnesotaeconomyandwhereitisheaded.Periodical Printed Publications – External Audience AwardofMeritMetroUpdateElectronicNewsletterMetropolitanCouncil

JeanneLandkamer,Jeanne.landkamer@metc.state.mn.usMetroUpdateistheMetropolitanCouncil'smonthlyelectronicexternalnewsletter,whichcommunicatesinformationandkeymessagesabouttheCouncil'sdecisions,activities,andservicestoourstakeholders.Wepostnewsletterstoriesandnewsreleasesonourwebsitethroughoutthemonthandprovidelinkstothesestoriesinthemonthlyenewsletter.Writing – News Release AwardofExcellenceMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRight’sFirstSame-SexMarriageDiscriminationCaseMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRightsChristineDufour,Christine.dufour@state.mn.usDuetotheAugust,2013Same-SexMarriagelaw,therewasintenseinterestintheMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRight’sfirstsame-sexweddingcaseinvolvingdiscriminationinpublicaccommodationbasedonsexualorientationforrefusingtohostasame-sexwedding.Toaccommodatethisinterest,topreventprotestsofthewedding,andtoprovideincreasedawarenessofpublicaccommodations,MDHRimplementedamulti-agencycoordinatedcommunicationsplan.Forthefirsttime,MDHRdevelopedanewsreleaseinpartnershipwithbothpartiesinvolved,includinginterviewsandquotes.Thisallowedthecouple,whomarriedshortlyafterthereleaseandmediaavailability,toenjoytheirwedding.Writing – Feature Article AwardofMeritDragonSlayerAnokaCountyRuthBedor,ruth.dedor@co.anoka.mn.usThisarticleprofilesoneyoungman'sslowdescentintoheroinaddictionandhislong,difficultstruggletoovercomeit.AwardofExcellenceTattooHealthInspectionsFeatureStoryLisaFleming,lisa.fleming@hennepin.usThisstoryaboutenvironmentalhealthinspectionswaspostedonthedepartmentintranet.ItwasdesignedtoengageemployeesofHennepinCounty’sHumanServicesandPublicHealthDepartmentandteachthemaboutservicesofferedinthedepartmentthattheyareprobablyunawareof.The“storytelling”styleandphotoswereplannedtodrawtheminandhelpthem

rememberinformationthattheylikelywouldhavemissed,haditbeenpresentedasastraightforwardreportornewsitem.Video – Public Service Announcements AwardofMeritCarWashPSAQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgThisPSAwasproducedtoraiseawarenessinregardstotheissueofwateroverconsumptionandwaste.Minnesotaisastatefullofpreciousresources,anditisinourbestinteresttomaintaintheintegrityofourwater.Residentsofthecommunityshouldbecomeawareoftheseconcerns.Havinganawarenessoftenleadstoanincreasedconcern,whichwillthenleadtoanincreasedvalueandrespectforourresources.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAZE9VDqqXU&feature=youtu.beAwardofMeritTellPotholestoBounce!CityofBurnsville/BurnsvilleCommunityTelevisionMartyDoll,marty.doll@ci.burnsvillemn.govProducedbyBurnsvilleCommunityTelevision,thisprojectwasconductedincoordinationwiththeBurnsvilleStreetsDepartmentinordertohelpspreadthewordabouttheCity’s“RequestTracker”program.“RequestTracker”isanonlinetoolthatallowsresidentstoautomaticallyreportconcernstotheCity.Fromstreetlightsthatareouttotrafficviolations–andmostimportantly–potholereporting,RequestTrackerhelpstheCitybeinmorethanoneplaceatatime,andquicklyrespondtoissues.http://youtu.be/YWskptb5ud4AwardofExcellencePSA:MulchYourLeaves!CityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usThislight-heartedPSAfeaturesacluelesscitizenlearningfromhismoreresponsibleneighbortherightwaytoclearleavesoffhislawn.Ratherthanrakingandbaggingleavesinthefall,usingalawnmowertomulchtheclippingsintoanaturalfertilizerisabetteroption.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiMInyjCq68

Video – News or Talk Shows AwardofMeritNewsandViewsQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgNewsandViewsisamonthlyhour-longcity/communitytalkshowthatcoversrelevanttopicsfromQCTV’sfourmembercities.Eachmonth,wehavecityofficialsaswellascitydepartmentstaff,comeontheshowandtalkaboutaspecifictopicthatishappeningintheircity.Theshowisdesignedtorecapcitycouncilhappeningsinacausal,conversation-basedformat.Eachepisodeismadeupoffourhosts(in-house),onehostpercity.Eachepisodefeatureseightvideopackagesthatwerefilmedinthefieldcoveringcityandcommunityevents.http://youtu.be/jvc89SoRAF8AwardofMeritTheChamberReportQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgTheChamberReportishostedbytheAnokaAreaChamberofCommercePresident,andisanoutletforlocalbusinessownerstogetthewordoutabouttheirbusinesses.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvV1BqnE8_oAwardofExcellenceINSIGHT7NDC4/TownSquareTelevisionCarmenHauck,chauck@townsquare.tvINSIGHT7isanewsmagazineshowthatisproducedeveryfourweeks.ThepurposeistoinformandeducateviewersaboutthevarioushappeningsinNorthernDakotaCounty.https://vimeo.com/121280742Video – Informational AwardofMerit

ElectionCycleCityofEagan/E-TVPaulWinkels,PWinkels@eagan-tv.comEveryelection,theCityofEaganhiresdozensofElectionJudgestoinstructvoters,countballots,andhandleahostofotherresponsibilities.Electionjudgesareoftenstereotypedasretiredfolks,orotherpeoplewhohaveafairlyopenschedule.ButinEagan,oneyoungmanisshowingyoucanstillserveyourcountrywhilelivinglifeinthefastlane. https://youtu.be/FuFWpM09TAs AwardofMeritWhereYourMoneyGoesCityofEagan/E-TVDanCallahan,dcallahan@eagan-tv.comAnannual“TruthinTaxation”hearingisheldatcitycouncil.Wecreatedalive,interactiveTVshowcalled“BudgetConnect”explainingwhatgoesintothecitybudget.Thisstorywasabreakoutillustratingwhatthingscost,inamuchmoreengagingandvisualwaythanasimplelistonpaper,andcomparedittowhatotherthingspeoplepayfor.Wealsopostedthistothecity'swebsiteforpeopletowatchandsendcomments.http://youtu.be/eRDChknXnKMAwardofMeritMinneapolisUrbanScholarsCityofMinneapolisMatthewLaible,Matthew.Laible@minneapolismn.govUrbanScholarsisaleadershipdevelopmentsummerinternshipprogramforcollegestudentsfromdiverseracialandethnicbackgrounds.Butit’snotjustanyinternshipprogramandweneededawaytocommunicatejusthowspecialitis.Wedecidedthatthebestspokespeopleweretheinternsthemselves,whoexpresstheirexcitementandappreciationofthisrareopportunitytoembedthemselvesforasummerinMinneapolissummergovernment.Thisrequiredavisualmediumthroughwhichtheaudiencecouldgetatruefeelforthepassionofthestudentsandmentorsandalltheamazinginteractionsandnewopportunitiesthestudentsexperience.https://youtu.be/jP5Y7Hn3a4AwardofMerit

AllIn:Recycle101CityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usAspartoftheCityofSaintPaul'sPublicWorksdepartmenteffortstopromoteitsnewandexpandedrecyclingprogramcalled“AllIn,”twovideoswereproducedtoeducatetheverydiversecommunityofSaintPaulonwhatandhowtorecycleandalsotoincreasetheresidents’participation.(Therewastoomuchinformationtobepresentedinonevideo,thus#101,followedwiththesamethemed#201.)Todothis,withoutbeingboringandtootechnical,thevideousesafunwaytogettheinformationacrossutilizingeverydaypeopleandaknowledgeable,butsomewhatwhacky,character“ProfessorGreen.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIZLuxu9lMAAwardofMeritAllIn:Recycle201CityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usAspartoftheCityofSaintPaul'sPublicWorksdepartmenteffortstopromoteitsnewandexpandedrecyclingprogramcalled“AllIn,”twovideoswereproducedtoeducatetheverydiversecommunityofSaintPaulonwhatandhowtorecycleandalsotoincreasetheresidents’participation.(Therewastoomuchinformationtobepresentedinonevideo,thus#101,followedwiththesamethemed#201.)Todothis,withoutbeingboringandtootechnical,thevideousesafunwaytogettheinformationacrossutilizingeverydaypeopleandaknowledgeable,butsomewhatwhacky,character“ProfessorGreen.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nm6i90rLBn4AwardofMeritAThousandDollarsandBackNDC4/TownSquareTelevisionCarmenHauck,chauck@townsquare.tv“AThousandDollarsandBack:RecollectionsofEarlyRomanianImmigrationtoMinnesota,”isadocumentarybasedonoralhistoryinterviewswithdescendantsoforiginalimmigrantstothecommunitiesofSaintPaulandSouthSaintPaul,Minnesota,fromtheearly1900suntiltheadventofWorldWarIIthroughexcerptsofinterviewswithchildrenandgrandchildrenoftheearlyimmigrants.Thefilmwascreatedin2014withMinnesotaLegacyGrantfundsobtainedbytheHeritageOrganizationofRomanianAmericansinMinnesotaor“HORA”inpartnershipwithRomanianGenealogySocietyandTownSquareTelevision,allnonprofitorganizations.

https://vimeo.com/121818986AwardofMeritAnokaCountySheriffShowQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgTheAnokaCountySheriffShowisaprogramdesignedtogivecitizensaglimpseinsidetheirlocalSheriff’sOffice.FromgettinganoverviewoftheSWATteamtotakingalookatalocalcarseatclinic,theAnokaCountySheriffShowallowstheSheriff’sOfficetoeffectivelycommunicateandshowcasetheequipment,personnel,andexpertisethathelpstokeepthecitizensofAnokaCountysafe.TheSheriffShowisabimonthlyproductionthatallowstheSheriff’sOfficenotonlytoshowcasewhotheyare,butalsotocommunicatewiththeircitizensaboutrecentissuesoreventshappeningintheircommunity.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctNPsnOXFhc&feature=youtu.beAwardofExcellenceTheStoryofHowBurnsvilleBecameaCityCityofBurnsville,BurnsvilleCommunityTelevisionMartyDoll,marty.doll@burnsvillemn.govIn2014,Burnsvillecelebratedits50thAnniversaryasanincorporatedCity.OneofthemostinterestingaspectsoftheCity’shistoryis“how”and“why”ittookthestepstobecomeincorporated.OnAug.23,1961,TownshipofBurnsvilleresidentslearnedthattheirneighbortothenorth–theCityofBloomington–hadvotedtoannexthetownship’slargestsourceoftaxrevenue,theBlackDogPowerPlant.Twodayslater,nearly500Burnsvilleresidentsflockedtothetownhalltoprotest.Thisvideotellsthestoryofhowthe“BattleforBlackdog”resultedinBurnsvillebecominganincorporatedCity.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqKdgOT48QAAwardofExcellenceWeAretheBurnsvilleFireDepartment:OurFamilyProtectingYoursCityofBurnsville,BurnsvilleCommunityTelevisionMartyDoll,marty.doll@burnsvillemn.gov“WeAretheBurnsvilleFireDepartment:OurFamilyProtectingYours”isaninformationalvideocreatedbyBurnsvilleCommunityTelevision(BCTV)toraiseawarenessoftheCity’sFire

Department.Producedlocallywhileusingentirelyin-houseresources,BCTVhassuccessfullyconnectedtheresidentsofBurnsvillewiththeirlocalgovernmentagencybyshowingthepurpose,dedicationandhighqualityservicetheir“dual-role”FireDepartmentisproudtoprovide.InadditiontoconnectingcommunitywiththeFireDepartment,thisprojectconnectstheBurnsvilleFireDepartmentwithpotentialcandidatesforemployment.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBOBcVXWrw8AwardofExcellenceBrewingisBoominginSaintPaulCityofSt.PaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usBrewingisBoomingtakesanin-depthlookattheemergingcraftbrewerymarketinSaintPaulafterchangesweremadetostatelawsandcityordinances.Itfocusesonthreeup-and-comingbreweriesandtwoestablishedbreweries.Thegoalwastoinformthepublicabouttheseexcitingnewculturalexperiencescomingtothecityandtohaveavideoforeconomicdevelopmentstafftousewhenmicrobrewerieswereinquiringaboutopeningataproominthecity.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHtnNCOYciY&feature=youtu.beAwardofExcellenceCafesjian’sCarouselCityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usTheiconicCafesjian’sCarouselisaSaintPaul,Minnesotainstitution.ThislocalgemlivedattheMinnesotaStateFairgroundsfordecades,butfounditspermanenthomeinSaintPaul’sComoPark,whereitentertainskidsofallagestothisday.ThisvideocoincideswiththeCarousel’s100thBirthdayandtellsthestoryofhowthistreasurewasalmostlostthensavedthankslargelytotheeffortsofonelocalcouple.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfUa3Vy9Q8AAwardofExcellenceTwinCityModelRailroadMuseumCityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.us

ThevideoservesasanintroductiontoboththeTwinCityModelRailroadclubanditsmuseumofthesamename.TheClubandmuseumhavebeendelightingvisitorsfornearly80years.Thevideo,whichattimes,takesyouforaridewithinthemodelrailroaddisplaylocatedatSaintPaul’sBandanaSquare.HostNickNelsoninterviewsTCMRMboardmemberPaulGruetzman.https://vimeo.com/114904993AwardofExcellenceHopkinsHighlights–ProgramChoiceHopkinsPublicSchoolsMeganNouis,Meagan.Nouis@hopkinsschools.orgThisvideoprojectisthesecondepisodeofafour-partseriestitled“HopkinsHighlights.”Inthisvideo,wefeaturetheincrediblevarietyofcoursesavailableatHopkinsHighSchool.Whetherstudentswanttoearncollegecredit,buildskillsforanacademicfuture,ordiscovertheirelectiveinterests,thereissomethingforeveryone.https://vimeo.com/116895809AwardofExcellenceTradeShow101MinnesotaDepartmentofAgricultureMargaretHart,Margaret.hart@state.mn.usTradeshow101isaninformationalvideodesignedtogiveMinnesotafoodcompaniesatasteoflarge-scaletradeshows.TheprojectwasfilmedinMayof2014attheNationalRestaurantAssociationshowinChicago.Minnesotacompaniesattendingtheshowwereinterviewedtoprovidehelpfuladvicetoburgeoningcompaniesaspiringtoexhibitathugenationalshows.Thefour-dayshowhosts44,000buyersfromaroundtheworldandcaneasilyintimidatefoodcompanies.Thisquickinformativevideoprovidestipsandtricks,andlaysoutascaleforourcompaniestojudgeifthey’rereadyforthebigleagues.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODBMbIhx69o&feature=youtu.beAwardofExcellenceSafeDrinkingWaterAct40thAnniversaryVideoMinnesotaDepartmentofHealthStewThornley,stew.thornley@state.mn.usAsix-minutevideoinconjunctionwiththe40thanniversaryofthesigningofthefederalSafe

DrinkingWaterAct.ThepurposewastodemonstratethesignificanceoftheActwhilealsohighlightingtheimportanceofsafedrinkingwateralongwiththeongoingissuesandchallengesrelatedtomaintainingsafedrinkingwaterintothefuture.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inLZwGZSvSc&feature=youtu.beAwardofExcellenceWildBeeSurveysinPrairie-GrasslandHabitatsMinnesotaDNRDennyBehr,denny.behr@state.mn.usInJuly2014,IhadtheopportunitytogointothefieldwithCrystalBoyd,DNRentomologist,whileshecollectedspecimensaspartofatwo-yearstudyonnativebeepopulationsonselectnativeprairiesitesandrestoredgrasslandsinMinnesota.Hergoalwastobegingatheringdatatofillinanunfinishedbeespecieslistfrom1919.Thestudyhasasenseofurgencygiventhedeclineofnonnativehoneybees,andthepotentialeffectofpesticidesandlossofhabitatonnativebeesandotherpollinators.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EF3qZgsyw50Video – Instructional AwardofExcellenceJustOutdoors–DeerProcessingStarttoFinishItascaCommunityTelevision(ICTV)JenniferVail-Storrs,jvs@watchictv.orgThissegmentofJustOutdoorsprovidesacomprehensive“how-to”forprocessingvenison.Itwascreatedtoprovideinformationonthesafehandlingofwildgamebyanexperiencedbutcher.VenisonisavitalpartofthefoodchainforruralMinnesotansandthisvideohelpsthemmaximizetheiruseoftheirgame.ThehostisaretiredconservationofficerwithawealthofexperiencewhohasbeenhelpingICTVproducerelevantoutdoorshowsfor10years.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQtfNMyWZaEVideo – Promotional AwardofMeritMadeinBloomington:NechvilleMusicalProductsCityofBloomingtonJanineHill,jhill@bloomingtonmn.gov

TomNechvillelovesmanufacturingandmusic,andhemanagedtomakealivingoutofhistwopassionswithhisBloomingtonbusiness.NechvilleMusicalProductsisasmallshopmanypeoplemaynotbeawareof,butNechvillebanjoshavebeeninthehandsoffamousmusicianslikeSteveMartinandKeithUrban.ThestorywaspartofanongoingsegmentcalledMadeinBloomington.It’smeanttohighlighttheCity’sthrivingeconomythatcreateslocaljobsandagoodtaxbaseforresidents.http://youtu.be/5gx1VrBZbgYAwardofMeritMeetLaurieCityofBloomingtonJanineHill,jhill@bloomingtonmn.govAnoldfavoritegotanewfacewithBloomingtonToday'snewhostLaurieSchulte.TheCityintroducedherwithapromotionalvideoshowcasingBloomington’snaturalbeauty,boomingbusinesscommunityandrapiddevelopment.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2UMj9dr1DIAwardofMeritWhat’sNewattheQQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgWhat’snewattheQisapromotionalvideodesignedtohighlightrecentcontentproducedbyQuadCitiesTelevision(QCTV).What’snewattheQisasegmentthatisproducedquarterly,andforthissubmittedepisode,weinjectedhumorintothepromobyplacingadogonacouch,whoiswatchingourchannelengagedbythetelevision.Theideaisthatthedogisengagedbywatchingourpromo,andthesloganattheendreads,“Expandingouraudience”,hencethedogwatchingTV.Thepromoreceivedacclaimfromthecommunity,andisagreatandcharmingwaytopromoteourcontent.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvVNsb8EjgAwardofExcellenceStayingActiveHasNoAgeLimitCityofBloomingtonJanineHill,jhill@bloomingtonmn.gov

SusanLighteris79yearsold,butshedoesn’tletheragestopherfromdoingactivitiessheloves.Sheprovesstayingactivetrulyhasnoagelimit.Notonlydoessheworkoutingroupfitnessclassesseveraltimesaweek,butshealsoworksatChico’swomen'sclothingstoreinEdenPrairie.BloomingtonPublicHealthemployeessaidLighterislivingproofthatthesetypesofactivitiescanplayahugepartinkeepingbothyourmindandbodyhealthy.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wR9N94WVKUAwardofExcellenceFallIntoE-TVCityofEagan/E-TVJeffOngstad,jongstad@eagan-tv.comWewantedtocreateaspottoshowpotentialCommunityProducerssomeofthethingstheycoulddoatE-TVotherthanjustthestandardtalkshows.WewantedtoinformviewersoftheclassesthatE-TVhadtooffer,aswellasthesomeofthethingstheycouldpossiblylearn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb4hva5RlfI

Video – Campaign or Series AwardofMeritSustainabilityManCityofBurnsville/BurnsvilleCommunityTelevisionMartyDoll,marty.doll@burnsvillemn.govIn2012,theCityofBurnsvilleintroduced“SustainabilityMan”atights-wearingsuperheroinsearchof“greenprojects,andsustainableresources.”Sincehisintroduction,SustainabilityManhasinterviewednearlyadozenindividualsontopicsrelatedtotheenvironment,recycling,naturalresources,etc.Hehasalsomadeseveralpublicappearancesandbeenpartofpromotionalspots.Thisquirkyandentertainingseriesofshortsegmentsisshotonaquarterlybasis.Eachepisodefocusesonadifferenttopicrelatedto“Sustainability.”TheepisodesarethenuploadedtotheCity’sYouTubechannel(www.YouTube.com/cityofburnsvillemn)andplayedontheCity’slocalcablechannels.InsertURLhereAwardofMeritATaleofTwoLibrariesCityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Thisseriesofthreevideosdocumentsfocusedontheyear-longtransformationoftwoneighborhoodbranchesoftheSt.PaulPublicLibrary–HighlandParkandSunRay–astheyunderwentextensiveremodelingandrenovationsinordertomeettheneedsoftwenty-firstcenturylibraryusers.“Chapter1HighlandParkandSunRayLibrariesGetMakeovers"outlinesthearchitecturalplansandpublicreaction;“Chapter2RenovationsatTwoSaintPaulLibrariesNearCompletion”showstheworkinprogressandtellsviewershowtheycancontributetoadonorwall;and“TheFinalChapterHighlightsFromSunRayandHighlandLibrariesGrandRe-openings”celebratesthegrandre-openingeventsatbothlibraries.http://youtu.be/gy1vFiyrur4http://youtu.be/bcOJaPHZnYohttps://youtu.be/OGP47FBrrZYAwardofMeritMPCAProjectNoWasteMinnesotaPollutionControlAgencyJeanneGiernet,Jeanne.Giernet@state.mn.usThreeanimatedvideoscreatedasapartofProjectNoWaste,apartnershipbetweentheScienceMuseumofMinnesotaandtheMinnesotaPollutionControlAgency,toincreaserecyclingofthepaper,plasticandfoodwastegeneratedbythemuseumanditsvisitors.Thevideoswereondisplayinthelobbyofthemuseuminconjunctionwithacompostingexhibit,andworkedwithnewbinsandsignagethroughoutthemuseumtoraiseawarenessandtoencouragevisitorstoparticipateinProjectNoWaste.http://youtu.be/F2pyi_SUhgQhttp://youtu.be/v37Woeo7ikhttp://youtu.be/oQn0dLYuocoAwardofMeritNewPrincipalVideoSeriesWhiteBearLakeAreaSchoolsMarisaVette,marisa.vette@isd624.orgThevideoserieswasproducedtointroducetwobrandnewprincipalstotheirschoolcommunities,andtothedistrictcommunityasawhole.https://whitebear.wistia.com/medias/mvossxzxyehttps://whitebear.wistia.com/medias/oq9xon014f

AwardofExcellence–nominatedforBestinShowEdinaPublicArtProfilesCityofEdinaScottDenfeld,sdenfeld@edinamn.govEdina’spublicarthaslongbeenasourceofprideforartistsandresidents.Wewantedtocreateaseriesofvideosthatofferaninsightintothepeopleandstoriesbehindsomeofthemostbelovedpublicartdisplaysaroundthecity.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWLcDEBig1sVideo – Live or live-to-tape sports coverage AwardofMeritMapleGrove@AnokaBoysSoccer–MSHSLStateTournamentSemi-FinalQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgThisproductioncoveredoneofourlocalsportsteamsintheMinnesotaStateHighSchoolLeaguesboy’ssoccer,semifinalstatetournamentgame.Withthisgamebeingheldatathirdpartylocation,ourcoveragegaveviewersfromourviewingareaawaytowatchthegamewithouttravelingtotheawaysite.Ourproductionutilizedourmobileproductiontruck,whichgaveviewersathomefourcameraangles,replayvideo,andmultiplechannelsofgraphicstoenhancetheirviewingexperienceofourbroadcast.NeedURLVideo – Live or Live-to-tape Community Event Coverage AwardofMeritLiveandLocal:BacktoSchoolSpecialQCTVKarenGeorge,Karen.George@qctv.orgThisisanewserieswherewetakeourmobileproductionvanintothecommunityandgo“live”foranhourprogram.ThisparticularepisodeisallaboutDistrict11anditfeaturestheeducatorsandschoolsinourarea.Ourguestsincludedthenewsuperintendentofthedistrict,severaladministrators,teachers,andstudents,aswellaspre-producedpackagesonalldaykindergarten,thedistrict’snewwebsite,buddybenches,andhealthyafterschoolsnacks.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdYrI9NCtY&feature=youtu.be

AwardofMeritStateofMinnesotaVeteransDayProgramNDC4/TownSquareTelevisionCarmenHauck,chauck@townsquare.tvForthepastfewyears,theOfficialStateofMinnesotaVeteransDayProgramhasbeenheldinourcityofInverGroveHeights.ThelocalTVnewsstationswouldcometocovertheeventwithonlya20secondclipontheeveningnews,andthisseemedinadequateforanofficialstateeventrecognizingtheserviceofourstate’sveterans.OurTVstudiotookonthechallengeofprovidingLive,multicameraTVandwebcoverageofthisStateofMinnesotaevent.https://vimeo.com/121808989Video – Other AwardofMeritTwoYearsIntoProgram,BurnsvilleSeesDecreaseinApartmentFiresCityofBurnsville,BurnsvilleCommunityTelevisionMartyDoll,marty.doll@burnsvillemn.govSince2006,theBurnsvilleFireDepartmenthasbeenrespondingtoagrowingnumberofmulti-unithousingfires.Most,accordingtoFireMarshalDougNelson,arecausedbyunattendedcookingandimproperlydiscardedcigarettes.In2011,publiceducationeffortsonthetopicreceivedaboostfromtheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)intheformofa$47,000grant,whichallowedthemtoimplementanaggressivefirepreventionprogram.Twoyearslater,theprogramappearstobeexceedingexpectations.This“newsbrief”outlinessomeofthatsuccess.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDyv10JANYc&feature=youtu.beAwardofMerit2013YearinReviewCityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usPleasenote,whilethevideoisareviewof2013,itwasnotfinalizedandmadepublicuntilJanuaryof2014.ThevideohighlightsandshowcasesSaintPaulduring2013,fromnewbusinessribboncuttings

tothevariousevents,ourbeautifulparks,differentactivities,andunfortunatelyclipsofafuneralfromafallenpoliceofficer.Thevideoissettomusicwithacoupleofsoundbitesthroughout,alongwithsomeNatsounds.ItshowsSaintPaul'sdiversityandcreatesasenseofcommunity.Itriedtomakeitfeellikethecityslogansays,“ThemostLivableCityinAmerica.”https://youtu.be/UvgYql17TyIAwardofMeritRegionalParks&GrowingDiversityMetropolitanCouncilCarolCritchley,carol.critchley@metc.state.mn.usCurrently,regionalparkuseisdominatedbyCaucasians.Researchshowsthatcommunitiesofcolorareoftenunawareoftheregionalparkssystem.Thisvideoillustratesthecausesandpossiblesolutionstoachievingagreaterlevelofawarenessandconnectionbyallresidentswithourregionalparksystem.https://youtu.be/KqRnjTuyP8AwardofMerit62.4-secondVideoUpdatesWhiteBearLakeAreaSchoolsMarisaVette,marisa.vette@isd624.orgThedistrictsharesoutweekly62.4secondvideoupdates,showcasingphotosandvideosofactivitiesthathavetakenplaceintheschoolsthroughouttheweek,everyFridayafternoonthroughthedistrict’sFacebookandTwitteraccounts.Thevideosarealsosharedoutwithinourbiweeklyinternalandexternalenewsletters,andtheyaresometimessharedasstandalonevideosinourinternalandexternalenewslettervideoeditions.(The624connectioncomesfromthefactthatweareIndependentSchoolDistrict624.)https://whitebear.wistia.com/medias/44zr0q31coAwardofExcellenceOperationRagingRiverCityofMinneapolisMattLaible,Matthew.Laible@minneapolismn.govThisprojectwasvideodocumentationofapublicsafetyexercisetitled“OperationRagingRiver”heldonAug.12,2014atBoomIslandParkinMinneapolis.Theexercisewasasimulationof

radiologicaldispersaldeviceexplosion,or“dirtybomb,”andtheresultingactionsthatfirstrespondersandsupportingdisciplinesfollowedinaddressingtheincident.Thevideoutilizedthree-cameradocumentationandcapturedexercisehighlightsinavideonineminutesinlength.Documentationofexercisesisnecessarywhenusingfederalfundstotrainandexercisefirstrespondersandotherdisciplines.https://vimeo.com/105559766AwardofExcellenceCHSFieldTurfInstallationCityofSaintPaulMikeReardon,mike.reardon@ci.stpaul.mn.usTheCityOfSaintPaul–inpartnershipwiththeminorleagueSaintPaulSaintsbaseballclubisbuildinga7000seatballparkandentertainmentfacilityindowntownSaintPaul.Thecity’sCommunicationsService'sdivisionhasdocumentedmuchofitsconstruction.OneofhighlightsoftheprojectwastheinstallationinOctober2014–oftheballpark’ssod.Thistime-lapsevideocapturesthatturfinstallation.https://vimeo.com/108828389AwardofExcellenceWildlifeArtistMinnesotaDNRDennyBehr,denny.behr@state.mn.usAwardofExcellence–nominatedforBestinShowInMemoryofOfficerScottPatrickNDC4/TownSquareTelevisionCarmenHauck,chauck@townsquare.tvThiswasteamcoverageofthetragiclossofOfficerScottPatrickfromtheMendotaHeightsPoliceDepartment.https://vimeo.com/104039674

Public Information Projects – Special Event – One Time Event AwardofMeritBurnsvilleCommunityTelevision’sPSADayCityofBurnsville/BurnsvilleCommunityTelevisionMartyDoll,marty.doll@burnsvillemn.govBurnsvilleCommunityTelevision(BCTV)helditsfirstever“PSADay”onOct.30,2014.Aspartofitsstrategicplan,BCTVwaslookingforawaytoreachouttolocal,nonprofitorganizations.PSA(PublicServiceAnnouncement)DayprovidedanopportunityforthesecommunityorganizationstovisittheBCTVstudioandcreateavideothirtysecondsorless–tohighlighttheirorganization.BCTVofferedthreeoptionsforthePSA,andeditedthefinalprojectforeachorganizationtouseonsocialmediaortheirwebsite.VideosalsoplayedonBurnsvilleCommunityChannel14andBurnsville’sYouTubechannel,www.YouTube.com/cityofburnsvillemn.AwardofExcellenceProtectMinnesotaPollinatorsMinnesotaDepartmentofAgricultureMargaretHart,margaret.hart@state.mn.usTheMinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculturelaunchedthe"ProtectMinnesotaPollinators"publicawarenesscampaignatthe2014MinnesotaStateFairtoincreaseawarenessoftheimportanceofpollinatorsinagricultureandfoodproduction.Thecampaignincludedcustomizedflowerseedpackets,abumblebeeheadband,andhandoutsforbothchildrenandadults.Fairgoerswereencouragedtomakea"pollinatorpromise".Thecampaignwaspromotedvianewsconference,socialmediaandtraditionalmediadistribution.Hardcopymaterialssubmittedviamailinclude:2)BMPbrochures;1)headband;1)seedpacket;1)children’shandout;1)printoutoflargerposter.ElectronicvideosubmissionoftheMDAStateFairExhibit"ProtectMinnesotaPollinators"newsconference:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xclcwIEhRMAwardofExcellenceWorld’sLargestWadofPaperMinnesotaPollutionControlAgency

JeanneGiernet,Jeanne.Giernet@state.mn.usGuinnessWorldRecordholderfortheworld’slargestballofpaper.Weconstructeda10-footballofpapertoshowcasetheamountofpaperMinnesotansthrowawayevery30seconds.TheexhibitwasondisplayattheMinnesotaStateFair.Officialsurveyorresults:•Weight:426lbs.•Height:9’7”•Circumference:32’2”AwardofExcellenceKellerGolfCourseGrandReopening:MediaPreviewEventRamseyCountyJohnSiqveland,john.siqveland@CO.RAMSEY.MN.USKellerGolfCoursereopenedinJulyafteranextensive21-month,$12millionrenovation.Topromotethegrandreopeninganddriveoldandnewcustomerstothecourse,RamseyCountyheldamediapreviewdayonThursday,July17priortothepublicgrandreopeningcelebrationonSaturday,July19.Localandnationalmediawereinvitedtoplaythecourse,tourthenewclubhouse,andinterviewcountyleaders,recreationstaff,thecoursearchitectandclubmembers.Public Information Projects – Special Event – Recurring Event AwardofMerit2014StateoftheCity–Bloomington,MNCityofBloomingtonJanineHill,jhill@bloomingtonmn.govBloomingtonCommunicationswantedcreateamemorable,engagingpresentationforthe2014StateoftheCityevent.Thetheme,“TheArtofCreatingCommunity”wasaperfecttiefornotonlycelebratingtheartscommunity,butalsoforcommunicatingtheskillthatgoesintocreatingcommunitywithnewdevelopmentandtransportationinitiatives,theschools,communityevents,servicesandfinancialinformation.Thethemealsogaveusthecreativeinspirationthatwewerelookingfor.AwardofExcellenceHopkinsRoyalOpportunityDayHopkinsPublicSchoolsJoleneGoldade,Jolene.goldade@hopkinsschools.org

OnSaturday,Nov.15,HopkinsPublicSchoolshosteditsfirst-everHopkinsRoyalOpportunityDayforfifth-andsixth-gradestudentsandtheirparents.Theeventwasdesignedtobuildexcitementaboutthetransitiontojuniorhighandhighschool.Studentsmetfutureteachersandexperiencedthreeminiclassesbasedonactualclassesofferedatthehighschool.Meanwhile,parenttouredthehighschool,listenedtopresentationsfrombuildingleadership,heardalumnitestimonialsandwereabletogetalltheirquestionsanswered. Public Information Projects – Other AwardofMerit“We’reMakingItEasiertoGetUpandDownFranceAvenue”CityofEdinaJenniferBennerotte,jbennerotte@EdinaMN.gov Annual Reports AwardofExcellence–NominatedforBestinShow2014CorporateReporttotheCommunityCityofBloomingtonJanineHill,jhill@bloomingtonmn.govEachyeartheCitydevelopsathemeforitsannualreportthatisincorporatedinotherannualreportsandStateoftheCitypresentation.Creatingasimilarlookandfeeltothesereportstiestogetherkeythemesandissues,increasingrecognitionandreadership.Plans – Crisis/Risk Communications AwardofMeritMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRight’sFirstSame-SexMarriageDiscriminationCaseMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRightsChristineDufour,Christine.dufour@state.mn.usDuetotheAugust,2013Same-SexMarriagelaw,therewasintenseinterestintheMinnesotaDepartmentofHumanRight’sfirstsame-sexweddingcaseinvolvingdiscriminationinpublicaccommodationbasedonsexualorientationforrefusingtohostasame-sexwedding.Toaccommodatethisinterest,topreventprotestsofthewedding,andtoprovideincreasedawarenessofpublicaccommodations,MDHRimplementedamultiagencycoordinatedcommunicationsplan.Forthefirsttime,MDHRdevelopedanewsreleaseinpartnershipwithbothpartiesinvolved,includinginterviewsand

quotes.Thisallowedthecouple,whomarriedshortlyafterthereleaseandmediaavailability,toenjoytheirwedding.