Page 10 - MS811

CenterPoint Energy’s Multi-Channel Strategy for 811 Day
CenterPoint Energy connects to the communities we serve, utilizing multiple educational and outreach opportunities to make 811 Day 2023 a memorable experience for all.
Kona Ice Trucks
CenterPoint partnered with Kona Ice trucks in select cities across
five states in its service footprint to deliver shaved ice treats to local community members. Trucks were decorated with 811 messaging and escorted by a CenterPoint employee for four hours. Stops included Dig World in Katy, Texas, hardware stores, a blood drive and block party
in Mississippi, areas with heavy construction activities, and densely populated residential neighborhoods. Before digging into their treats, patrons were reminded to contact 811 before starting any outdoor digging projects. CNP sent out a media release asking local networks to stop by on the truck routes which gave an opportunity to share the safe digging message on the local news that day.
811 Cookie Deliveries
CenterPoint delivered 811-themed cookies to community leaders, media, emergency responders, excavation companies, and others partners in Damage Prevention. The “Cookie Drop” created a blitz of social media posts from these influential stakeholders promoting natural gas safety with their communities. “A message from the local fire department, mayor or Houston Emergency Management is extremely valuable” said Shane Alexander, Director of Damage Prevention, Public Awareness and Meter Reading. “The public has a connection with those social media pages, and we appreciate each one of the partners who helped share the message for 811 Day”.
The Houston market had a collaborated effort with activation at three locations – the Sugarland Space Cowboys game on 8/4, Dig World in Katy on 8/11, and at the Annual Sandcastle Competition in Galveston. At each of these events, there were many volunteers on site to engage with the community and distribute 811 Call Before You Dig information and swag. 811 Run Minnesota CenterPoint Energy, along with Gopher State One Call and other companies, hosted the annual 811 5K
Run and Walk at Lake Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis on Saturday August 13 th . Over 180 runners left the starting line at 8:11AM for to raise money for Operation Warm, an organization that provides new, warm winter coats for Minnesota children in need. Sponsors hosted booths at the vendor fair, allowing participants and attendees to explore and gather information on safe digging in their area.
Radio, Social Media & TV
To publicize CenterPoint’s efforts to increase awareness of calling 811 on National 811 Day, Corporate Communications executed a media campaign featuring social media posts, press kit items such as a news advisory and news release, employee media trainings and employee interviews. Valued at approximately $8,215, CenterPoint’s 811 Day interviews garnered more than 42,000 views across 12 positive broadcast segments, articles, and radio mentions while social media posts across Facebook,
Twitter and Nextdoor gained nearly 2.1 million views. These results from corporate communications, combined with the activations listed above, made August 11 th , 2023, our most successful day ever to promote safe digging.
By Jamie Billings
Public Safety Specialist
8 • Mississippi 811 2023, Issue 4