Case Study: Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP)

SBEP hired T3M on a multi-year contract at the end of 2010. The contract is to provide ongoing marketing and communication support as well as public advocacy in support of the SBEP mission and programs. The SBEP mission is to help restore and protect Sarasota Bay. SBEP is one of the 28 national estuary programs in the U.S. It has served the region since 1989 and its major partners include Sarasota County, Manatee County, City of Sarasota, City of Bradenton, Town of Longboat Key, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. EPA.

Here is what T3M accomplished for SBEP in 2011 and 2012:

  • Prepared and distributed 115 media releases versus 21 in 2009 and 2010. The T3M output the past two years is greater than the prior two decades.
  • Identified 905 media links referencing SBEP, Sarasota Bay and related issues versus approximately 55 media links in 2009 and 2010. All of the links are posted on the SBEP website to create a permanent archive.
  • Launched a new and enhanced SBEP website using a content management system to enable immediate updates – http://sarasotabay.org. T3M manages the website daily.
  • Developed the Sarasota Bay Awards Program to provide SBEP an opportunity to present special Blue Dolphin Awards to local champions of Sarasota Bay. The inaugural event was held in April 2012.
  • Developed the Sarasota Bay Water Festival featuring SBEP as the Host Sponsor. More than 3,000 residents attended the free public event on November 17, 2012. More than 60 organizations were involved as sponsors and exhibitors. T3M raised $10,000 in sponsorship contributions to support the festival. http://sarasotabaywaterfestival.com.
  • Created a new SBEP Power Point presentation to enhance perceptions about the SBEP mission and expand awareness about SBEP programs.
  • Expanded the SBEP E-Newsletter from quarterly to bimonthly with enhancements in design and content. Helped expand the SBEP list serve from 800 to 2,000 individuals.
  • Launched Sarasota Bay Today, the region's first blog focused exclusively on Sarasota Bay – http://.sarasotabaytoday.com. The blog features more than a dozen interviews with local elected representatives, ecologists, resource managers, non-profit leaders, and environmental activists.
  • Completed a survey of 300 business professionals working on or near Sarasota Bay to learn more about local perceptions about SBEP and issues that impact on Sarasota Bay. The survey was an opportunity to promote the SBEP mission with face to face marketing.
  • Helped develop the plan for the first ever Economic Valuation Study of Sarasota Bay and recruited the PhD level researcher to head up the project.
  • Developed the Creative Expressions Photo and Art Gallery on the SBEP website to create a stronger connection with people who feel passionate about the beauty and importance of Sarasota Bay. The gallery features more than 600 digital files from some of the area's most respected photographers and artists.
  • Developed a digital Habitat Restoration Map on the SBEP website to display the prior, current and planned restoration projects throughout the region.
  • Launched a Photo Gallery page on the SBEP website to showcase hundreds of photos from various events and programs.