Ybor City Development Corporation Wins PRSA Sunshine District Radiance Award
TAMPA, Fla. (June 22, 2017) — Agency of record for the Ybor City Development Corporation (YCDC), HCP Associates, earned the Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) Sunshine District Radiance Award for their “More in Ybor” campaign for the YCDC.
HCP will receive the award for the Reputation Management category June 22 at the Hilton Cocoa Beach. The Radiance Awards recognize outstanding strategic public relations by Florida practitioners and organizations.
HCP was one of four finalists for the Reputation Management award. The judges score in research, planning, implementation and evaluation.
“It’s tough competition, but we’re thrilled to be recognized as one of the best of the best in public relations,” said Senior Strategist/Partner Eric Polins.
The Campaign
The YCDC selected HCP as the marketing firm of record in 2016. The YCDC is a division of the City of Tampa’s Economic and Urban Development Department. They manage Ybor’s redevelopment areas through development programs and projects in the National Landmark Historic District.
HCP developed a research plan to better understand development priorities. They interviewed more than 700 employees, residents, business owners, board members and the YCDC management.
The responses highlighted Ybor’s strongest assets and areas for improvement. It also identified how to communicate to prospective residents, visitors, business owners and beyond.
Upon completion of the research, HCP created the campaign “More in Ybor” and launched a new website to promote growth and development in the historic district. HCP worked with the YCDC Board and committee to prioritize marketing limitations. The goal of the current plan was to raise awareness of Ybor as a live, work and play district.
The HCP public relations team also worked with the YCDC and other appropriate City of Tampa departments to develop a crisis management plan. The team outlined the true boundaries for media outlets and worked with Tampa’s police and fire departments by monitoring and correcting inaccurate news stories tagging Ybor City.
Ybor City is gaining awareness quickly. HCP recently created a new video series, Faces of Ybor, documenting community stakeholders. Multiple investors are also taking notice in the district, pumping millions of dollars into the community for new development.
About Ybor City Development Corporation (YCDC)
Ybor City Development Corp serves as the community’s liaison for economic development. Their mission is to enhance the development and redevelopment and economic revitalization. Ybor City is a historic district in the City of Tampa. Several structures are in the National Register of Historic Places.
About PRSA Sunshine District
PRSA’s Sunshine District represents more than 1,000 public relations professionals from seven chapters throughout Florida. The Sunshine District is one of 10 PRSA districts nationwide and provides educational resources, scholarships and professional development opportunities for the industry’s leading professionals.