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MASTER OF ARTS (MA) IN
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS
CN 6017 GROUP PROJECT
PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE NEW MEDIA SPRING 2014
ATHENS IN A BLINK! SYNATHINA
Group Project’s due date: 03.06.2014
Project by: Leda-Panagiota Alepi (DEREE ID number: 177738)
Sofia Tsempera (DEREE ID number: 171415)
Professor: Dr. Stavros Papakonstantinidis
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION - ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... 2
RESEARCH AND MIND-MAP ..................................................................................................................... 5
RESEARCH RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS.................................................................................................. 5
Number of NGOs and teams registered ................................................................................................ 5
System of uploading actions – SynAthina Platform............................................................................... 5
SynAthina Online Media ........................................................................................................................ 5
Online Media accounts of NGOs............................................................................................................ 6
External environment ............................................................................................................................ 6
General observations............................................................................................................................. 6
Key Publics for the specific campaign.................................................................................................... 7
MIND MAP.................................................................................................................................................. 7
KEYWORD RESEARCH ................................................................................................................................. 8
PR AND NEW MEDIA STRATEGY FOR SYNATHINA .................................................................................... 8
STRATEGY AND ACTION.............................................................................................................................. 8
OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................ 9
Awareness Objectives.......................................................................................................................... 10
Acceptance Objectives......................................................................................................................... 10
Action Objectives................................................................................................................................. 10
BENCHMARKING ...................................................................................................................................... 11
TOOLS....................................................................................................................................................... 12
EVALUATION.......................................................................................................................................... 14
METHODS AND METRICS.......................................................................................................................... 14
EVALUATION METRICS ............................................................................................................................. 15
Awareness Objectives.......................................................................................................................... 15
Acceptance objectives ......................................................................................................................... 15
Action objectives ................................................................................................................................. 15
Organization’s Public Relations ........................................................................................................... 15
APPENDICES........................................................................................................................................... 16
APPENDIX 1 – REGISTERED NGOS AND INITIATIVES .......................................................................................... 16
APPENDIX 2 – INDICATIVE REGISTERED ACTION ................................................................................................ 17
APPENDIX 3 - MIND MAP............................................................................................................................ 18
APPENDIX 4 – KEYWORD RESEARCH .............................................................................................................. 18
Name of Organization.......................................................................................................................... 19
Objective of Organization.................................................................................................................... 19
Area of Organization............................................................................................................................ 20
APPENDIX 5 – BENCHMARKING STATISTICS ..................................................................................................... 21
Analytical Presentation........................................................................................................................ 21
Total Audience Participation ............................................................................................................... 24
APPENDIX 6 – SUBSCRIBE FOR NEWS BUTTON.................................................................................................. 25
Current view ........................................................................................................................................ 25
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Idea for Amendment ........................................................................................................................... 25
APPENDIX 7 – INDICATIVE EMAIL................................................................................................................... 26
APPENDIX 8 – INDICATIVE E-NEWSLETTER ...................................................................................................... 27
APPENDIX 10 – INDICATIVE BLOG.................................................................................................................. 29
APPENDIX 11 – INDICATIVE MOBILE APPLICATION ............................................................................................ 30
iPhone.................................................................................................................................................. 30
Android ................................................................................................................................................ 30
APPENDIX 12 – INDICATIVE EVALUATION FOR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ............................................................... 31
APPENDIX 13 – INDICATIVE EVALUATION FOR E-NEWSLETTERS........................................................................... 31
LIST OF REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 33
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INTRODUCTION - ABSTRACT
The current project is a group project on Public Relations and the New Media. The team chose
to design a PR and the New Media Campaign for SynAthina. SynAthina is an innovative project
under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens. SynAthina is an online platform where NGOs,
the civil society and teams upload their actions, so that people at large can learn about them
and participate in them. This initiative aims at getting people together, but also at promoting
the vivid spirit of Athens among its citizens. The initiative has another underlining factor, as it
opens up for a true and transparent coexistence among the citizens and the city at large.
As a team of two persons who has been following the social changes in Greece during the last
years, we identify the contemporary need for organizations and institutions to be transparent,
open to conversation, in a position to engage with its publics and able to respond to the modern
needs of communication.
We designed a campaign which aims to broaden the scope of SynAthina’s engagement with the
civil society and further enhance a two way communication with its publics. The idea is to shift
from an online Platform to an online Network, which interacts both during the various
initiatives, but has also a common online space to meet and provide ideas. The campaign
promotes the ideas of open and transparent policies by using the proven dynamic offered by
digital social media in an open and participatory society. Instead of a one way communication,
this specific digital media-oriented campaign aims to be an engaging and challenging
opportunity for open dialogue between people who design actions, those who participate in
them, those who host them and the city at large. This online digital campaign aims at
strengthening the so called “bottom-up approach” in building policies and strategies at large.
The campaign starts with the presentation of SynAthina and its publics and moves on with the
design of a specific strategy and the presentation of the tools needed for its implementation.
5
RESEARCH AND MIND-MAP
During the research phase of the project and in view of formulating a specific proposal for a
communication strategy, the team used the following tools in order to gather information for
the organization and focus on a proposal:
a. online research of SynAthina’s online communication tools, namely website, blog,
facebook and twitter account, youtube channel and mobile applications;
b. online research of articles, comments, blogs about SynAthina by sources other than the
the platform, namely online magazines, references in Greek media, comments on public
facebook accounts, comments on online accounts or websites of NGOs which have
uploaded their actions in the platform;
c. direct contacts with SynAthina’s staff and members of NGOs, which have already
uploaded their actions in the platform.
RESEARCH RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS
Number of NGOs and teams registered
The team found out that SynAthina is active the last 10 months. During this time a lot of
organizations and civil society initiatives – currently 68 different ones - have uploaded actions in
the platform. The number of the registered NGOs and civil society initiatives, however, does not
reflect the actual number of active organizations in Athens. (Appendix 1)
System of uploading actions – SynAthina Platform
Actions are uploaded on the online SynAthina Platform. The process is quite easy and fast. Once
an action is uploaded, it appears on the SynAthina map of actions and the platform’s visitor can
find more information about its nature and the place it occurs. The platform’s visitor can also
see the contact details for the organizations and visit the latter one’s online media. (Appendix 2)
SynAthina Online Media
The platform has links to SynAthina’s Facebook and Twitter account (3.985 likes and 555
followers), Youtube Channel, Blog, Radio and mobile applications. The platform provides also a
link to “Stegi SynAthina”, a building located at the center of Athens. The specific building is
owned by the Municipality of Athens and is being offered for free use to NGOs, upon request.
The platform gives also the ability to subscribe to SynAthina’s newsletter. There are currently
almost 90 email addressed on the list, probably due to the fact that the design of the webpage
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does not provide an easily visible link. The project team observed, however, that the public does
not seem to actively engage on the online accounts, apart from a number of likes and retweets.
Moreover, SynAthina seems not to have a variation of the way it spreads the information
through the various online Media. The action uploaded in the platform is also uploaded on the
Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as on the blog. The same information features on the
mobile applications. The Facebook account does provide more live photographs and some
videos. Videos can also be found on the YouTube Channel.
Online Media accounts of NGOs
Every NGO or civil society initiative which wishes to upload its action, it does so on SynAthina
Platform. The NGOs and other teams provide, then, the link to their website and facebook
account or facebook event page. The project team noticed that although SynAthina links on its
Facebook account with that of the NGOs, this does not happen most of the times in the
opposite direction. In that way, SynAthina is used as an additional channel of communication for
the NGO’s action, but it does not serve fully its goal in creating a community where people can
learn more about what is going on in the city. Visitors of the NGOs’ and civil society’s initiatives
Facebook accounts, will most of the times not see a link “calling” them to visit SynAthina or even
allowing them to simply click on it.
External environment
SynAthina seems to have a growing number of supporters, ranging from individuals to
enterprises and the civil society at large. As an innovative initiative in the City of Athens
(currently among the 21 Finalists in the Bloomberg Philanthropies “Mayors Challenge”
Competition), there seems to be a growing number of publics who wish to actively participate in
it and assist in achieve its objectives.
General observations
SynAthina wishes to address all its publics, not only the civil society organizations and NGOs
which upload their actions in its platform. It wishes to serve as a point where people and
organizations can meet and interact. It aims at strengthening the active role of citizens in a vivid
society. SynAthina is a very strong tool in order to underline a transparent and open-to-all policy
in a participatory democratic city.
The team identified that the current situation provides an excellent opportunity to open up to a
large number of citizens and give them an open space to participate in and experience
themselves the city’s general open policy. The team chose to focus from within on the real
views, experiences and everyday stories of the people who upload their actions on SynAthina
Platform and open a dialogue, a two way communication with other audiences in the city.
7
Key Publics for the specific campaign
Based on the analysis of the situation and the identification of an opportunity for the
organization to share its open policy, the team focused on SynAthina’s key publics for the
specific communication campaign. At this point, the team decided to weed out the less
important publics, concentrating instead on those fewer that have particular relevance and the
most potential for the issue at hand. The main focus will be on the majority of the so called
“customers” and on part of its “enablers”, namely the NGOs, the organized in civil society, the
existent team, but also the population at large. The campaign will address latent or even
apathetic publics, in order to raise awareness among them around SynAthina’s existence and
make them active; it will also have as a purpose to make publics actively engage online with
SynAthina and its initiatives.
MIND MAP
Taking into account the research results and observations, as well as the goals and tools that can
be used when drawing a PR campaign with the traditional and new media, the team draw a
Mind Map (Appendix 3). The mind map focuses more on the online tools, as SynAthina is an
online Platform which aims to develop to an online and offline Human Network – Human Grid.
8
KEYWORD RESEARCH
As this campaign focuses more on the online PR tools, our research included Keyword Research,
as this can be found in Google Trends and Analytics. The goal was to identify what people look
for more, in order to increase visibility of SynAthina and the actions uploaded in its platform.
The Keyword Research aims at improving the appearance of SynAthina in Google search; the
goal of the strategy campaign is to provide the Organization with input on how to write their
articles in order to increase their online hits and work by taking into account the Search Engine
Optimization (SEO) mechanisms.
The analysis was based on three main thematic zones: a. the name of the organization, b. the
objectives the organization covers and c. the area where SynAthina works and is situated. The
research was made for the last 12 months, since SynAthina exists during the last 10 months
(Appendix 4).
The results showed that the name of the organization does not have enough hits and for this
reason it is not rated in Google trends. Although the name consists of a very famous say in
Greek - «Συν Αθηνά και χείρα κίνει», meaning that starting with the assistance of Gods, the
human being should also make efforts to ameliorate his / her life – none of the version for the
SynAthina appear to interest the online audiences. When it comes to the objectives of
SynAthina, which are the actions of NGOs and the civil society at large in the city of Athens, the
results showed that throughout time people search on how to participate in actions on a
voluntary basis in their city. Last but not least, people are more interested in looking up for the
word Athens, than the city of Athens / Municipality of Athens, under the auspices of which
SynAthina functions.
PR AND NEW MEDIA STRATEGY FOR SYNATHINA
STRATEGY AND ACTION
In order for SynAthina to deal with the situation it faces, it needs to take an innovative initiative
which will engage its publics. The strategy drawn can be, thus, characterized as one which
involves both action and communication strategies. The plan for audience engagement, by using
strong two-way communication tactics, responds to audiences’ relevant interests and requests,
brings the key publics in direct contact with SynAthina and the city of Athens, generates
feedback for the organization and stimulates actions among focus groups. It furthers seeks not
9
only to generate publicity, but also to bring out newsworthy stories and information, underlining
a transparent communication, which reflects an open and transparent policy.
The campaign is based on the information model of communication and the New Media, which
focuses more on the content (personal thoughts, point of view, concerns etc.) and channels of
communication (social media, internet). It involves messages (facebook comments, tweets,
stories on blogs) sent by various sources to a number of receivers through a technical
connection (digitally). The campaign, however, includes also elements from the traditional
dialogue model, as it attempts to create mutual experiences among publics involving share of
thoughts and eventually increase of trust. It plans to build a strong cooperation between NGOs
which upload their actions in the platform and use the SynAthina Stegi as a meeting point and
seminar place. Although this project focuses mainly on the digital tools, the strategy includes the
incorporation of SynAthina in NGOs’ events which are hosted by the former one and the
promotion of its visibility in the traditional media and written press.
The main purpose of the strategy is to make SynAthina something more than an online
Platform; the goal is to raise it up to the level of a Network, where people and innovative ideas
coexist in a vivid and alive city. The strategy focuses on the following main points:
- broaden scope of people / publics the Network addresses;
- broaden number of NGOs and civil society initiatives that are registered in the Network;
- promote individuals online engagement;
- advance story telling;
- promote open spirit to “city journalism”;
- enhance connectivity and engagement among different NGOs;
- enhance interactivity between various online media;
- enhance the role of civil society in the Municipal area of Athens;
- underline the importance of active collaboration between State owned institutions and
the civil society at large;
- promote active participation in an open and transparent city.
OBJECTIVES
The strategy sets objectives to be reached with the use both of online and traditional media. It
follows the model taught in Public Relations, where publics first become aware, then accept a
goal and finally are driven to an action.
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Awareness Objectives
 To raise awareness among the publics in Greece about SynAthina’s goals and actions by
10% more within 5 months.
 To raise awareness among aware, but also hesitant publics of NGOs’ regarding their
actions by 10% more within 5 months.
 To raise awareness of the citizens of Athens regarding the city’s bottom up approach
and open and transparent policy by 15% within 8 months.
 To further increase comprehension about the organization by 5% more in the audience
of target group 25-44, who are social media users within 4 months.
Acceptance Objectives
 To have an effect on the acceptance of SynAthina among its audiences, as a modern,
dashing and transparent organization, willing and able to engage. Specifically:
 Ages 15-24: by 40% within 6 months;
 Ages 25-44: by 50% within 6 months;
 Ages 45-60: by 35% within 6 months.
 To create interest and increase positive attitude towards actions taking place in
SynAthina Stegi, by 15% within 3 months.
 To have an effect on the acceptance of SynAthina among journalists; specifically to
generate interest on the exceptional concept of the initiative among 75% of Greek
Media within 3 months.
Action Objectives
 To increase publics’ active participation in SynAthina’s social digital media by an average
of 20% within 4 months. More specifically:
 Facebook by 30% within 4 months (likes and shares by 40%, comments by 20%);
 Twitter by 10% within 4 months (retweets by 12%, comments by 8%);
 Blog by 15% within 4 months (including uploads of videos and photographs with
comments on articles).
 To upload further actions by already registered NGOs and civil society initiatives, by 5%
within 4 months.
 To register new actions and organizations in SynAthina online media, by 15% within 4
months.
 To increase mobile applications downloads by 10% within the next 3 months.
 To increase visibility in Foursquare by 5% within the next 3 months.
 To increase publicity and visibility of the organization, by generating the production of
comments and storytelling in blogs among individuals by 20% within 4 months.
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 To generate action among journalists; specifically to have media coverage by:
 2-4 new stories published every month on the internet within 6 months;
 2 articles per month on newspapers, magazines and online editions within 6
months;
 10 appearances in T.V “Ef Zin” show / proposals within 3 months;
 2 videos (24”) about SynAthina on morning daily TV shows within 4 months.
BENCHMARKING
SynAthina is an innovative initiative which brings together civil society organizations, a State
authority (the City of Athens) and people at large. As such, there are no similar initiatives
currently in the Greece. Even though there are online platforms looking for volunteering
positions (Volunteer4Greece.gr) or listing NGOs (HumanGrid.gr), none of them has the unique
feature of SynAthina. In order to identify best practices and have a clear benchmarking around
the use of digital social media and online tools, the project team looked thoroughly in other
fields. The team analyzed online magazines and editions which inform people on what is
happening in the city, provide information on how to participate in events, write articles about
social news and trends and offer a free space, so that audiences can express their views and
comments. The following online editions were analyzed:
 City of Athens.gr
 Athens Voice.gr
 AthensMagazine.gr
 Athinorama.gr
 ΕλCulture.gr
 Art & Life.gr
 Click at Life.gr
All these providers have interactive templates for their audience using social media (Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram). All seven of them have Facebook and Twitter accounts, except from
Athinorama.gr and Art&Life.gr that do not have Twitter. AthensVoice.gr and ΕλCulture.gr have
also Instagram accounts. It is important to state that none of them apart from Art&Life.gr has a
search engine (like SynAthina) which allows filtering and specifies findings. The benchmarking
looked at each of the above mentioned providers’ social media presence separately and it was
completed with a grouped graph showing in a comparative way audiences’ participation in
social media (Appendix 5).
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TOOLS
Although the campaign is digital (desktop, mobile, tablet), it also includes conventional and
strategic public relations and communication tactics. Personal involvement is highly promoted,
as a powerful element of communication for engagement and dialogue. The tools to be used in
the integrated PR strategy can be seen on the mind map. This part of the project focuses on the
tools and the “how to” ideas to be used in the online environment.
- Installation of publicly accessible PC at Stegi SynAthina
NGOs and civil society organizations can rent for free the space owned by SynAthina and the
Municipality of Athens, in order to organize meetings, gatherings and run their actions. Although
there seems to be a growing number of organizations using the space, there are hardly any
stories or photographs placed in the online media about this. The existence of a publicly
accessible PC in a stand, where people are called to upload their comment via their account at
SynAthina’s Facebook page will produce direct comments by the ones experiencing the actions
they participate in. The PC’s interface will be designed in such a way, where it will allow people
to be accustomed with other SynAthina’s online tools and enter SynAthina’s blog directly and
place their comments there, too.
- Installation of live-streaming equipment at Stegi SynAthina
Live-streaming can increase the visibility of events taking place at Stegi SynAthina, but it can also
raise awareness among unaware publics around the existence of the place and SynAthina. Live-
streaming can be linked both to the online tools of SynAthina, as well as to those of the NGOs
organizing actions. In case of big events which draw publics’ wide attention, such as WWF’s
seminars and ActionAid’s open walks, videos taken by live-streaming equipment can be
provided to TV channels for live or recorded broadcasting in shows.
- Amend and Upgrade existing online tools - Enhance connectivity and interactivity of
SynAthina’s various online tools
The organization seems to have a number of set online tools, which, however, do not seem to
“communicate” or cooperate among them; it is suggested that the website incorporates ideas of
interconnectivity, as these appear on the website of Art&Life.gr. Moreover, the existent tools
need a number of amendments and upgrades, in order to promote a two-way communication
and attract people’s engagement. The emailing list of SynAthina can attract more subscribers by
– initially – making the “subscribe for our news” button more visible (Appendix 6). When
someone subscribes in the mailing list there should be a technical feature where the person
indicates how often he / she wishes to receive emails. Emails will include information on past
and future actions, contact details of NGOs and a story / comment by a participant. By including
13
individuals’ comments, stories and photographs in its emails, SynAthina promotes storytelling
and engagement as it invites everyone to write his / her comments directly below / after any
action (Appendix 7). Newsletters should be sent one a week announcing the actions that are
programmed to take place during a 7 days period (Appendix 8). In cases where SynAthina needs
to communicate a very important action or incident, which seeks further digital and traditional
media attention, the organization will send Press Releases (Appendix 9).
- Invite people to write in SynAthina’s Blog
The design of the new blog not only allows for people to see the actions which take place, but
gives them the possibility to directly comment, write their story and upload their photos and
videos. It is not a blog where only SynAthina’s administrators have access to. Its technical
features will allow interested publics to engage in a community and upload articles with a.
comments on actions, b. ideas about new actions, c. comments on people’s participation in the
city and d. links to live-streaming events and videos on YouTube. The blog will also have a
banner on its side, where future actions will run. The goal is to have people taking part in what is
going on in Athens in a blink (Appendix 10). The launching of the new blog, together with the
call for active participation in it, will be announced in SynAthina’s online media accounts, in its
e-newsletter, as well as in emails sent to its subscribers. It will further be announced in Athens
984, the radio which covers SynAthina’s events and talks with the various civil society teams.
The call for active participation in the blog will be reminded in SynAthina’s newsletters and
emails, underlining the importance of an open and transparent dialogue between the city and
its citizens.
- Add functions to mobile application
In the world of social media users notify their friends and followers where they are and what
they do. The existent mobile applications offer a unique feature in comparison to other mobile
applications indicated under the current project’s benchmarking: SynAthina’s applications offer
to the user the ability to search for the actions he / she is interested in. The applications shall be
upgraded so as to provide technically the possibility to upload what the person is doing and
which action the person participates in (Appendix 11). Moreover, a Foursquare link to SynAthina
should be promoted and added as an icon in its mobile application. Via specialized algorithms
the application shall also provide a series of similar actions to the one the user visits or
participates in.
- Promote active online cooperation among NGOs and SynAthina
As actions are uploaded in SynAthina’s Platform, Facebook and Twitter account, blog and mobile
application, the organization can monitor an active two-way cooperation with the various NGOs
which promote their actions via the platform. NGOs and civil society organizations shall be
encouraged to link SynAthina to their websites and Facebook accounts, whenever the actions is
directly linked with the Platform or Stegi SynAthina.
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- Include SynAthina actions at TV spots and Magazines for culture and happenings in the
city
Promote an active cooperation between a. Ef Zin TV Spots in Mega Channel and b. Magazines
and online editions for Athens (Athinorama, Athens Voice, Lifo), by underlining the importance
of people’s participation in their cities.
EVALUATION
During the planning phase of the strategy, there was also a design for an evaluation of the
tactics, tools and results over the time. Any strategy should go in hand with a proper evaluation:
ex-ante, during and ex-post. The team has set various criteria and metrics both for the
campaign’s objectives, as well as for the organization’s Public Relations profile.
METHODS AND METRICS
The evaluative research was based on both quantitative and qualitative methods. The former
ones included surveys, tracking of numbers related to comments and opinions, and monitoring
of results in view of the set goals. The latter one monitored the content of comments and online
Facebook and Twitter discussions, as well as posts in SynAthina’s blog, the new emerging publics
and focus groups, and the content of articles published in newspapers and magazines. The
evaluation was planned to take part constantly during the implementation of the strategy,
based on certain evaluation metrics for the set objectives and changes are made in case these
are needed. Digital media offer easily accessible statistics regarding the likeability, talkability and
visibility of an organization.
Changes in Facebook and Twitter accounts, with reference to likes in general, likes per post,
shares, followers, comments, retweets are easily measured (Appendix 12). Visitors and posts on
the blog can be also easily measured, while e-newsletters provide a wide range of metrics with
regards to the number of people reached, the number of the ones who click, open and read it
etc (Appendix 13).
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EVALUATION METRICS
Awareness Objectives
 Message exposure
 Followers, subscribers, visitors of digital media (website, Facebook, twitter, blog,
newsletter)
 Media attendance (T.V., Radio) and impressions
 Judgmental assessment (informal)
Acceptance objectives
 Media coverage (TV, radio, social media, newspapers and magazines)
 Media impressions
 Audience feedback via Social Media posts, comments expressing interest and / or
support
 New subscribers for newsletter and emails
 Public impression of the organization
Action objectives
 Measurement of results on
- Media Coverage and Publications
- Public participation in social digital media (posts, comments, tweets) before, during,
and after campaign
- Percentages of improvement and changed attitudes in social media participation
Organization’s Public Relations
 Visibility in Media
 Reputation
 Build-up new and maintain old allies
 Monitoring of reactions from influential personalities and celebrities
16
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1 – Registered NGOs and Initiatives
17
APPENDIX 2 – Indicative Registered action
18
APPENDIX 3 - Mind Map
19
APPENDIX 4 – Keyword Research
Name of Organization
Objective of Organization
20
Area of Organization
21
APPENDIX 5 – Benchmarking Statistics
Analytical Presentation
Facebook:
353,000
likes
Twitter
66,700
followers 5,400 followers 0%
Athens Voice.gr
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Facebook:
83,000 likes
Twitter:
2,590
followers
0
Athens Magazine.gr
Facebook Twitter Instagram
22
Facebook:
28,000 likes
Twitter: 1,8000
followers
0%0%
click at life.gr
Facebook Twitter
Facebook:
2,657 likes
Twitter: 8,539
followers
0,35
followers
0%
ΕλCulture.gr
Facebook Twitter Instagram
23
Facebook:
6,961 likes
Twitter: 0,62
followers 0%0%
Art&Life.gr
Facebook Twitter
Facebook:
6,254 likes
0%0%0%
Athinorama.gr
Facebook
24
Total Audience Participation
0 100 200 300 400
AthensVoice.gr
AthensMagazine.gr
Click at Life.gr
ΕλCulture.gr
Art&Life.gr
Athinorama.gr
AthensVoice.g
r
AthensMagazi
ne.gr
Click at Life.gr ΕλCulture.gr Art&Life.gr Athinorama.gr
Instagram 5,474 0 0 0,35 0 0
Twitter 66,7 21 1,803 8,539 0 0
Facebook 353 83 28,257 2,657 6,961 6,12
Audience Participation in Social Media
25
APPENDIX 6 – Subscribe for news button
Current view
Idea for Amendment
26
APPENDIX 7 – Indicative Email
27
APPENDIX 8 – Indicative E-Newsletter
28
APPENDIX 9 – Indicative Press-Release
29
APPENDIX 10 – Indicative Blog
http://athensinablink.blogspot.gr
30
APPENDIX 11 – Indicative Mobile application
iPhone
Android
31
APPENDIX 12 – Indicative Evaluation for Facebook and Twitter
Channel Currently After 4 months Increase
Twitter Followers:
555
Tweets:
1.012
Followers:
750+
Tweets:
1.800+
35%
80%
Facebook Likes:
3.985
Talkability: 6,2%
Likes:
5.580+
Talkability: 35%
40%
464%
APPENDIX 13 – Indicative Evaluation for E-Newsletters
32
(4.184 words)
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 Scott, David Meerman (2013). The New Rules Of Marketing & PR. New Jersey and
Canada. Wiley.
 Smith, Ronald D. (2013). Strategic Planning For Public Relations. New York and London:
Routledge.
 Stern, Jim (2010), Social Media Metrics: How to Measure and Optimize Your Marketing
Investment. New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons Inc.
 Tyson, C.B. and Katz, H.E. (1999). Advertising principles: Choice, challenge, change. Lincolnwood,
Illinois: NTC Business.
 Viren, T., Herrick J., Pal L. (2014), How to Write a Press Release, Retrieved from
WikiHow: www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release.
 SynAthina website and Online Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.synathina.gr
 City of Athens, Discover Athens, and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
https://www.cityofathens.gr/eksereyniste-tin-athina
34
 Athens Voice Magazine and Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.athensvoice.gr/the-paper/article
 AthensMagazine Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.athensmagazine.gr/portal/events
 Athinorama Magazine and Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.athinorama.gr/daylife/guide.aspx?vid=10000248
 ΕλCulture Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.elculture.gr/
 Art & Life Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.artandlife.gr/event_list.php
 Click at Life Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.clickatlife.gr/atzenta
 Volunteer4Greece Online Platform and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://www.volunteer4greece.gr
 Human Grid Online Platform and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from:
http://humangrid.gr/

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Athens in a Blink!!

  • 1. 1 MASTER OF ARTS (MA) IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS CN 6017 GROUP PROJECT PUBLIC RELATIONS AND THE NEW MEDIA SPRING 2014 ATHENS IN A BLINK! SYNATHINA Group Project’s due date: 03.06.2014 Project by: Leda-Panagiota Alepi (DEREE ID number: 177738) Sofia Tsempera (DEREE ID number: 171415) Professor: Dr. Stavros Papakonstantinidis
  • 2. 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION - ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................... 2 RESEARCH AND MIND-MAP ..................................................................................................................... 5 RESEARCH RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS.................................................................................................. 5 Number of NGOs and teams registered ................................................................................................ 5 System of uploading actions – SynAthina Platform............................................................................... 5 SynAthina Online Media ........................................................................................................................ 5 Online Media accounts of NGOs............................................................................................................ 6 External environment ............................................................................................................................ 6 General observations............................................................................................................................. 6 Key Publics for the specific campaign.................................................................................................... 7 MIND MAP.................................................................................................................................................. 7 KEYWORD RESEARCH ................................................................................................................................. 8 PR AND NEW MEDIA STRATEGY FOR SYNATHINA .................................................................................... 8 STRATEGY AND ACTION.............................................................................................................................. 8 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................ 9 Awareness Objectives.......................................................................................................................... 10 Acceptance Objectives......................................................................................................................... 10 Action Objectives................................................................................................................................. 10 BENCHMARKING ...................................................................................................................................... 11 TOOLS....................................................................................................................................................... 12 EVALUATION.......................................................................................................................................... 14 METHODS AND METRICS.......................................................................................................................... 14 EVALUATION METRICS ............................................................................................................................. 15 Awareness Objectives.......................................................................................................................... 15 Acceptance objectives ......................................................................................................................... 15 Action objectives ................................................................................................................................. 15 Organization’s Public Relations ........................................................................................................... 15 APPENDICES........................................................................................................................................... 16 APPENDIX 1 – REGISTERED NGOS AND INITIATIVES .......................................................................................... 16 APPENDIX 2 – INDICATIVE REGISTERED ACTION ................................................................................................ 17 APPENDIX 3 - MIND MAP............................................................................................................................ 18 APPENDIX 4 – KEYWORD RESEARCH .............................................................................................................. 18 Name of Organization.......................................................................................................................... 19 Objective of Organization.................................................................................................................... 19 Area of Organization............................................................................................................................ 20 APPENDIX 5 – BENCHMARKING STATISTICS ..................................................................................................... 21 Analytical Presentation........................................................................................................................ 21 Total Audience Participation ............................................................................................................... 24 APPENDIX 6 – SUBSCRIBE FOR NEWS BUTTON.................................................................................................. 25 Current view ........................................................................................................................................ 25
  • 3. 3 Idea for Amendment ........................................................................................................................... 25 APPENDIX 7 – INDICATIVE EMAIL................................................................................................................... 26 APPENDIX 8 – INDICATIVE E-NEWSLETTER ...................................................................................................... 27 APPENDIX 10 – INDICATIVE BLOG.................................................................................................................. 29 APPENDIX 11 – INDICATIVE MOBILE APPLICATION ............................................................................................ 30 iPhone.................................................................................................................................................. 30 Android ................................................................................................................................................ 30 APPENDIX 12 – INDICATIVE EVALUATION FOR FACEBOOK AND TWITTER ............................................................... 31 APPENDIX 13 – INDICATIVE EVALUATION FOR E-NEWSLETTERS........................................................................... 31 LIST OF REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................. 33
  • 4. 4 INTRODUCTION - ABSTRACT The current project is a group project on Public Relations and the New Media. The team chose to design a PR and the New Media Campaign for SynAthina. SynAthina is an innovative project under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens. SynAthina is an online platform where NGOs, the civil society and teams upload their actions, so that people at large can learn about them and participate in them. This initiative aims at getting people together, but also at promoting the vivid spirit of Athens among its citizens. The initiative has another underlining factor, as it opens up for a true and transparent coexistence among the citizens and the city at large. As a team of two persons who has been following the social changes in Greece during the last years, we identify the contemporary need for organizations and institutions to be transparent, open to conversation, in a position to engage with its publics and able to respond to the modern needs of communication. We designed a campaign which aims to broaden the scope of SynAthina’s engagement with the civil society and further enhance a two way communication with its publics. The idea is to shift from an online Platform to an online Network, which interacts both during the various initiatives, but has also a common online space to meet and provide ideas. The campaign promotes the ideas of open and transparent policies by using the proven dynamic offered by digital social media in an open and participatory society. Instead of a one way communication, this specific digital media-oriented campaign aims to be an engaging and challenging opportunity for open dialogue between people who design actions, those who participate in them, those who host them and the city at large. This online digital campaign aims at strengthening the so called “bottom-up approach” in building policies and strategies at large. The campaign starts with the presentation of SynAthina and its publics and moves on with the design of a specific strategy and the presentation of the tools needed for its implementation.
  • 5. 5 RESEARCH AND MIND-MAP During the research phase of the project and in view of formulating a specific proposal for a communication strategy, the team used the following tools in order to gather information for the organization and focus on a proposal: a. online research of SynAthina’s online communication tools, namely website, blog, facebook and twitter account, youtube channel and mobile applications; b. online research of articles, comments, blogs about SynAthina by sources other than the the platform, namely online magazines, references in Greek media, comments on public facebook accounts, comments on online accounts or websites of NGOs which have uploaded their actions in the platform; c. direct contacts with SynAthina’s staff and members of NGOs, which have already uploaded their actions in the platform. RESEARCH RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS Number of NGOs and teams registered The team found out that SynAthina is active the last 10 months. During this time a lot of organizations and civil society initiatives – currently 68 different ones - have uploaded actions in the platform. The number of the registered NGOs and civil society initiatives, however, does not reflect the actual number of active organizations in Athens. (Appendix 1) System of uploading actions – SynAthina Platform Actions are uploaded on the online SynAthina Platform. The process is quite easy and fast. Once an action is uploaded, it appears on the SynAthina map of actions and the platform’s visitor can find more information about its nature and the place it occurs. The platform’s visitor can also see the contact details for the organizations and visit the latter one’s online media. (Appendix 2) SynAthina Online Media The platform has links to SynAthina’s Facebook and Twitter account (3.985 likes and 555 followers), Youtube Channel, Blog, Radio and mobile applications. The platform provides also a link to “Stegi SynAthina”, a building located at the center of Athens. The specific building is owned by the Municipality of Athens and is being offered for free use to NGOs, upon request. The platform gives also the ability to subscribe to SynAthina’s newsletter. There are currently almost 90 email addressed on the list, probably due to the fact that the design of the webpage
  • 6. 6 does not provide an easily visible link. The project team observed, however, that the public does not seem to actively engage on the online accounts, apart from a number of likes and retweets. Moreover, SynAthina seems not to have a variation of the way it spreads the information through the various online Media. The action uploaded in the platform is also uploaded on the Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as on the blog. The same information features on the mobile applications. The Facebook account does provide more live photographs and some videos. Videos can also be found on the YouTube Channel. Online Media accounts of NGOs Every NGO or civil society initiative which wishes to upload its action, it does so on SynAthina Platform. The NGOs and other teams provide, then, the link to their website and facebook account or facebook event page. The project team noticed that although SynAthina links on its Facebook account with that of the NGOs, this does not happen most of the times in the opposite direction. In that way, SynAthina is used as an additional channel of communication for the NGO’s action, but it does not serve fully its goal in creating a community where people can learn more about what is going on in the city. Visitors of the NGOs’ and civil society’s initiatives Facebook accounts, will most of the times not see a link “calling” them to visit SynAthina or even allowing them to simply click on it. External environment SynAthina seems to have a growing number of supporters, ranging from individuals to enterprises and the civil society at large. As an innovative initiative in the City of Athens (currently among the 21 Finalists in the Bloomberg Philanthropies “Mayors Challenge” Competition), there seems to be a growing number of publics who wish to actively participate in it and assist in achieve its objectives. General observations SynAthina wishes to address all its publics, not only the civil society organizations and NGOs which upload their actions in its platform. It wishes to serve as a point where people and organizations can meet and interact. It aims at strengthening the active role of citizens in a vivid society. SynAthina is a very strong tool in order to underline a transparent and open-to-all policy in a participatory democratic city. The team identified that the current situation provides an excellent opportunity to open up to a large number of citizens and give them an open space to participate in and experience themselves the city’s general open policy. The team chose to focus from within on the real views, experiences and everyday stories of the people who upload their actions on SynAthina Platform and open a dialogue, a two way communication with other audiences in the city.
  • 7. 7 Key Publics for the specific campaign Based on the analysis of the situation and the identification of an opportunity for the organization to share its open policy, the team focused on SynAthina’s key publics for the specific communication campaign. At this point, the team decided to weed out the less important publics, concentrating instead on those fewer that have particular relevance and the most potential for the issue at hand. The main focus will be on the majority of the so called “customers” and on part of its “enablers”, namely the NGOs, the organized in civil society, the existent team, but also the population at large. The campaign will address latent or even apathetic publics, in order to raise awareness among them around SynAthina’s existence and make them active; it will also have as a purpose to make publics actively engage online with SynAthina and its initiatives. MIND MAP Taking into account the research results and observations, as well as the goals and tools that can be used when drawing a PR campaign with the traditional and new media, the team draw a Mind Map (Appendix 3). The mind map focuses more on the online tools, as SynAthina is an online Platform which aims to develop to an online and offline Human Network – Human Grid.
  • 8. 8 KEYWORD RESEARCH As this campaign focuses more on the online PR tools, our research included Keyword Research, as this can be found in Google Trends and Analytics. The goal was to identify what people look for more, in order to increase visibility of SynAthina and the actions uploaded in its platform. The Keyword Research aims at improving the appearance of SynAthina in Google search; the goal of the strategy campaign is to provide the Organization with input on how to write their articles in order to increase their online hits and work by taking into account the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) mechanisms. The analysis was based on three main thematic zones: a. the name of the organization, b. the objectives the organization covers and c. the area where SynAthina works and is situated. The research was made for the last 12 months, since SynAthina exists during the last 10 months (Appendix 4). The results showed that the name of the organization does not have enough hits and for this reason it is not rated in Google trends. Although the name consists of a very famous say in Greek - «Συν Αθηνά και χείρα κίνει», meaning that starting with the assistance of Gods, the human being should also make efforts to ameliorate his / her life – none of the version for the SynAthina appear to interest the online audiences. When it comes to the objectives of SynAthina, which are the actions of NGOs and the civil society at large in the city of Athens, the results showed that throughout time people search on how to participate in actions on a voluntary basis in their city. Last but not least, people are more interested in looking up for the word Athens, than the city of Athens / Municipality of Athens, under the auspices of which SynAthina functions. PR AND NEW MEDIA STRATEGY FOR SYNATHINA STRATEGY AND ACTION In order for SynAthina to deal with the situation it faces, it needs to take an innovative initiative which will engage its publics. The strategy drawn can be, thus, characterized as one which involves both action and communication strategies. The plan for audience engagement, by using strong two-way communication tactics, responds to audiences’ relevant interests and requests, brings the key publics in direct contact with SynAthina and the city of Athens, generates feedback for the organization and stimulates actions among focus groups. It furthers seeks not
  • 9. 9 only to generate publicity, but also to bring out newsworthy stories and information, underlining a transparent communication, which reflects an open and transparent policy. The campaign is based on the information model of communication and the New Media, which focuses more on the content (personal thoughts, point of view, concerns etc.) and channels of communication (social media, internet). It involves messages (facebook comments, tweets, stories on blogs) sent by various sources to a number of receivers through a technical connection (digitally). The campaign, however, includes also elements from the traditional dialogue model, as it attempts to create mutual experiences among publics involving share of thoughts and eventually increase of trust. It plans to build a strong cooperation between NGOs which upload their actions in the platform and use the SynAthina Stegi as a meeting point and seminar place. Although this project focuses mainly on the digital tools, the strategy includes the incorporation of SynAthina in NGOs’ events which are hosted by the former one and the promotion of its visibility in the traditional media and written press. The main purpose of the strategy is to make SynAthina something more than an online Platform; the goal is to raise it up to the level of a Network, where people and innovative ideas coexist in a vivid and alive city. The strategy focuses on the following main points: - broaden scope of people / publics the Network addresses; - broaden number of NGOs and civil society initiatives that are registered in the Network; - promote individuals online engagement; - advance story telling; - promote open spirit to “city journalism”; - enhance connectivity and engagement among different NGOs; - enhance interactivity between various online media; - enhance the role of civil society in the Municipal area of Athens; - underline the importance of active collaboration between State owned institutions and the civil society at large; - promote active participation in an open and transparent city. OBJECTIVES The strategy sets objectives to be reached with the use both of online and traditional media. It follows the model taught in Public Relations, where publics first become aware, then accept a goal and finally are driven to an action.
  • 10. 10 Awareness Objectives  To raise awareness among the publics in Greece about SynAthina’s goals and actions by 10% more within 5 months.  To raise awareness among aware, but also hesitant publics of NGOs’ regarding their actions by 10% more within 5 months.  To raise awareness of the citizens of Athens regarding the city’s bottom up approach and open and transparent policy by 15% within 8 months.  To further increase comprehension about the organization by 5% more in the audience of target group 25-44, who are social media users within 4 months. Acceptance Objectives  To have an effect on the acceptance of SynAthina among its audiences, as a modern, dashing and transparent organization, willing and able to engage. Specifically:  Ages 15-24: by 40% within 6 months;  Ages 25-44: by 50% within 6 months;  Ages 45-60: by 35% within 6 months.  To create interest and increase positive attitude towards actions taking place in SynAthina Stegi, by 15% within 3 months.  To have an effect on the acceptance of SynAthina among journalists; specifically to generate interest on the exceptional concept of the initiative among 75% of Greek Media within 3 months. Action Objectives  To increase publics’ active participation in SynAthina’s social digital media by an average of 20% within 4 months. More specifically:  Facebook by 30% within 4 months (likes and shares by 40%, comments by 20%);  Twitter by 10% within 4 months (retweets by 12%, comments by 8%);  Blog by 15% within 4 months (including uploads of videos and photographs with comments on articles).  To upload further actions by already registered NGOs and civil society initiatives, by 5% within 4 months.  To register new actions and organizations in SynAthina online media, by 15% within 4 months.  To increase mobile applications downloads by 10% within the next 3 months.  To increase visibility in Foursquare by 5% within the next 3 months.  To increase publicity and visibility of the organization, by generating the production of comments and storytelling in blogs among individuals by 20% within 4 months.
  • 11. 11  To generate action among journalists; specifically to have media coverage by:  2-4 new stories published every month on the internet within 6 months;  2 articles per month on newspapers, magazines and online editions within 6 months;  10 appearances in T.V “Ef Zin” show / proposals within 3 months;  2 videos (24”) about SynAthina on morning daily TV shows within 4 months. BENCHMARKING SynAthina is an innovative initiative which brings together civil society organizations, a State authority (the City of Athens) and people at large. As such, there are no similar initiatives currently in the Greece. Even though there are online platforms looking for volunteering positions (Volunteer4Greece.gr) or listing NGOs (HumanGrid.gr), none of them has the unique feature of SynAthina. In order to identify best practices and have a clear benchmarking around the use of digital social media and online tools, the project team looked thoroughly in other fields. The team analyzed online magazines and editions which inform people on what is happening in the city, provide information on how to participate in events, write articles about social news and trends and offer a free space, so that audiences can express their views and comments. The following online editions were analyzed:  City of Athens.gr  Athens Voice.gr  AthensMagazine.gr  Athinorama.gr  ΕλCulture.gr  Art & Life.gr  Click at Life.gr All these providers have interactive templates for their audience using social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). All seven of them have Facebook and Twitter accounts, except from Athinorama.gr and Art&Life.gr that do not have Twitter. AthensVoice.gr and ΕλCulture.gr have also Instagram accounts. It is important to state that none of them apart from Art&Life.gr has a search engine (like SynAthina) which allows filtering and specifies findings. The benchmarking looked at each of the above mentioned providers’ social media presence separately and it was completed with a grouped graph showing in a comparative way audiences’ participation in social media (Appendix 5).
  • 12. 12 TOOLS Although the campaign is digital (desktop, mobile, tablet), it also includes conventional and strategic public relations and communication tactics. Personal involvement is highly promoted, as a powerful element of communication for engagement and dialogue. The tools to be used in the integrated PR strategy can be seen on the mind map. This part of the project focuses on the tools and the “how to” ideas to be used in the online environment. - Installation of publicly accessible PC at Stegi SynAthina NGOs and civil society organizations can rent for free the space owned by SynAthina and the Municipality of Athens, in order to organize meetings, gatherings and run their actions. Although there seems to be a growing number of organizations using the space, there are hardly any stories or photographs placed in the online media about this. The existence of a publicly accessible PC in a stand, where people are called to upload their comment via their account at SynAthina’s Facebook page will produce direct comments by the ones experiencing the actions they participate in. The PC’s interface will be designed in such a way, where it will allow people to be accustomed with other SynAthina’s online tools and enter SynAthina’s blog directly and place their comments there, too. - Installation of live-streaming equipment at Stegi SynAthina Live-streaming can increase the visibility of events taking place at Stegi SynAthina, but it can also raise awareness among unaware publics around the existence of the place and SynAthina. Live- streaming can be linked both to the online tools of SynAthina, as well as to those of the NGOs organizing actions. In case of big events which draw publics’ wide attention, such as WWF’s seminars and ActionAid’s open walks, videos taken by live-streaming equipment can be provided to TV channels for live or recorded broadcasting in shows. - Amend and Upgrade existing online tools - Enhance connectivity and interactivity of SynAthina’s various online tools The organization seems to have a number of set online tools, which, however, do not seem to “communicate” or cooperate among them; it is suggested that the website incorporates ideas of interconnectivity, as these appear on the website of Art&Life.gr. Moreover, the existent tools need a number of amendments and upgrades, in order to promote a two-way communication and attract people’s engagement. The emailing list of SynAthina can attract more subscribers by – initially – making the “subscribe for our news” button more visible (Appendix 6). When someone subscribes in the mailing list there should be a technical feature where the person indicates how often he / she wishes to receive emails. Emails will include information on past and future actions, contact details of NGOs and a story / comment by a participant. By including
  • 13. 13 individuals’ comments, stories and photographs in its emails, SynAthina promotes storytelling and engagement as it invites everyone to write his / her comments directly below / after any action (Appendix 7). Newsletters should be sent one a week announcing the actions that are programmed to take place during a 7 days period (Appendix 8). In cases where SynAthina needs to communicate a very important action or incident, which seeks further digital and traditional media attention, the organization will send Press Releases (Appendix 9). - Invite people to write in SynAthina’s Blog The design of the new blog not only allows for people to see the actions which take place, but gives them the possibility to directly comment, write their story and upload their photos and videos. It is not a blog where only SynAthina’s administrators have access to. Its technical features will allow interested publics to engage in a community and upload articles with a. comments on actions, b. ideas about new actions, c. comments on people’s participation in the city and d. links to live-streaming events and videos on YouTube. The blog will also have a banner on its side, where future actions will run. The goal is to have people taking part in what is going on in Athens in a blink (Appendix 10). The launching of the new blog, together with the call for active participation in it, will be announced in SynAthina’s online media accounts, in its e-newsletter, as well as in emails sent to its subscribers. It will further be announced in Athens 984, the radio which covers SynAthina’s events and talks with the various civil society teams. The call for active participation in the blog will be reminded in SynAthina’s newsletters and emails, underlining the importance of an open and transparent dialogue between the city and its citizens. - Add functions to mobile application In the world of social media users notify their friends and followers where they are and what they do. The existent mobile applications offer a unique feature in comparison to other mobile applications indicated under the current project’s benchmarking: SynAthina’s applications offer to the user the ability to search for the actions he / she is interested in. The applications shall be upgraded so as to provide technically the possibility to upload what the person is doing and which action the person participates in (Appendix 11). Moreover, a Foursquare link to SynAthina should be promoted and added as an icon in its mobile application. Via specialized algorithms the application shall also provide a series of similar actions to the one the user visits or participates in. - Promote active online cooperation among NGOs and SynAthina As actions are uploaded in SynAthina’s Platform, Facebook and Twitter account, blog and mobile application, the organization can monitor an active two-way cooperation with the various NGOs which promote their actions via the platform. NGOs and civil society organizations shall be encouraged to link SynAthina to their websites and Facebook accounts, whenever the actions is directly linked with the Platform or Stegi SynAthina.
  • 14. 14 - Include SynAthina actions at TV spots and Magazines for culture and happenings in the city Promote an active cooperation between a. Ef Zin TV Spots in Mega Channel and b. Magazines and online editions for Athens (Athinorama, Athens Voice, Lifo), by underlining the importance of people’s participation in their cities. EVALUATION During the planning phase of the strategy, there was also a design for an evaluation of the tactics, tools and results over the time. Any strategy should go in hand with a proper evaluation: ex-ante, during and ex-post. The team has set various criteria and metrics both for the campaign’s objectives, as well as for the organization’s Public Relations profile. METHODS AND METRICS The evaluative research was based on both quantitative and qualitative methods. The former ones included surveys, tracking of numbers related to comments and opinions, and monitoring of results in view of the set goals. The latter one monitored the content of comments and online Facebook and Twitter discussions, as well as posts in SynAthina’s blog, the new emerging publics and focus groups, and the content of articles published in newspapers and magazines. The evaluation was planned to take part constantly during the implementation of the strategy, based on certain evaluation metrics for the set objectives and changes are made in case these are needed. Digital media offer easily accessible statistics regarding the likeability, talkability and visibility of an organization. Changes in Facebook and Twitter accounts, with reference to likes in general, likes per post, shares, followers, comments, retweets are easily measured (Appendix 12). Visitors and posts on the blog can be also easily measured, while e-newsletters provide a wide range of metrics with regards to the number of people reached, the number of the ones who click, open and read it etc (Appendix 13).
  • 15. 15 EVALUATION METRICS Awareness Objectives  Message exposure  Followers, subscribers, visitors of digital media (website, Facebook, twitter, blog, newsletter)  Media attendance (T.V., Radio) and impressions  Judgmental assessment (informal) Acceptance objectives  Media coverage (TV, radio, social media, newspapers and magazines)  Media impressions  Audience feedback via Social Media posts, comments expressing interest and / or support  New subscribers for newsletter and emails  Public impression of the organization Action objectives  Measurement of results on - Media Coverage and Publications - Public participation in social digital media (posts, comments, tweets) before, during, and after campaign - Percentages of improvement and changed attitudes in social media participation Organization’s Public Relations  Visibility in Media  Reputation  Build-up new and maintain old allies  Monitoring of reactions from influential personalities and celebrities
  • 16. 16 APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 – Registered NGOs and Initiatives
  • 17. 17 APPENDIX 2 – Indicative Registered action
  • 18. 18 APPENDIX 3 - Mind Map
  • 19. 19 APPENDIX 4 – Keyword Research Name of Organization Objective of Organization
  • 21. 21 APPENDIX 5 – Benchmarking Statistics Analytical Presentation Facebook: 353,000 likes Twitter 66,700 followers 5,400 followers 0% Athens Voice.gr Facebook Twitter Instagram Facebook: 83,000 likes Twitter: 2,590 followers 0 Athens Magazine.gr Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • 22. 22 Facebook: 28,000 likes Twitter: 1,8000 followers 0%0% click at life.gr Facebook Twitter Facebook: 2,657 likes Twitter: 8,539 followers 0,35 followers 0% ΕλCulture.gr Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • 23. 23 Facebook: 6,961 likes Twitter: 0,62 followers 0%0% Art&Life.gr Facebook Twitter Facebook: 6,254 likes 0%0%0% Athinorama.gr Facebook
  • 24. 24 Total Audience Participation 0 100 200 300 400 AthensVoice.gr AthensMagazine.gr Click at Life.gr ΕλCulture.gr Art&Life.gr Athinorama.gr AthensVoice.g r AthensMagazi ne.gr Click at Life.gr ΕλCulture.gr Art&Life.gr Athinorama.gr Instagram 5,474 0 0 0,35 0 0 Twitter 66,7 21 1,803 8,539 0 0 Facebook 353 83 28,257 2,657 6,961 6,12 Audience Participation in Social Media
  • 25. 25 APPENDIX 6 – Subscribe for news button Current view Idea for Amendment
  • 26. 26 APPENDIX 7 – Indicative Email
  • 27. 27 APPENDIX 8 – Indicative E-Newsletter
  • 28. 28 APPENDIX 9 – Indicative Press-Release
  • 29. 29 APPENDIX 10 – Indicative Blog http://athensinablink.blogspot.gr
  • 30. 30 APPENDIX 11 – Indicative Mobile application iPhone Android
  • 31. 31 APPENDIX 12 – Indicative Evaluation for Facebook and Twitter Channel Currently After 4 months Increase Twitter Followers: 555 Tweets: 1.012 Followers: 750+ Tweets: 1.800+ 35% 80% Facebook Likes: 3.985 Talkability: 6,2% Likes: 5.580+ Talkability: 35% 40% 464% APPENDIX 13 – Indicative Evaluation for E-Newsletters
  • 33. 33 LIST OF REFERENCES  Coombs, Timothy W. (2012). Ongoing Crisis Communication. California: SAGE Publications.  Delahaye Paine, K. (2011). Measure what matters: Online tools for understanding customers, social media, engagement and key relationships. New York, Wiley.  Hopkins, J. and Turner, J. (2012). Go Mobile: Location-Based Marketing, Apps, Mobile Optimized Ad Campaigns, 2D Codes and Other Mobile Strategies to Grow Your Business. New Jersey. John Willey & Sons Inc.  McCaughey, M. and Ayers, M.D. (eds) (2003). Cyberactivism: Online Activism in Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge.  Rowse, Darren (2006), How to Blog: Blogging Tips for Beginners, Retrieved from ProBlogger: www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/14/blogging-for-beginners-2 .  Scott, David Meerman (2013). The New Rules Of Marketing & PR. New Jersey and Canada. Wiley.  Smith, Ronald D. (2013). Strategic Planning For Public Relations. New York and London: Routledge.  Stern, Jim (2010), Social Media Metrics: How to Measure and Optimize Your Marketing Investment. New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons Inc.  Tyson, C.B. and Katz, H.E. (1999). Advertising principles: Choice, challenge, change. Lincolnwood, Illinois: NTC Business.  Viren, T., Herrick J., Pal L. (2014), How to Write a Press Release, Retrieved from WikiHow: www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Press-Release.  SynAthina website and Online Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.synathina.gr  City of Athens, Discover Athens, and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: https://www.cityofathens.gr/eksereyniste-tin-athina
  • 34. 34  Athens Voice Magazine and Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.athensvoice.gr/the-paper/article  AthensMagazine Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.athensmagazine.gr/portal/events  Athinorama Magazine and Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.athinorama.gr/daylife/guide.aspx?vid=10000248  ΕλCulture Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.elculture.gr/  Art & Life Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.artandlife.gr/event_list.php  Click at Life Online Edition and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.clickatlife.gr/atzenta  Volunteer4Greece Online Platform and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://www.volunteer4greece.gr  Human Grid Online Platform and Social Media Tools, Retrieved from: http://humangrid.gr/