News

Smart Growth America is seeking a qualified media/PR firm to manage the rollout of its signature national report: ​Dangerous by Design​. The contract will run from (beginning date ASAP) through July 30, 2024. The release of the report will take place in three phases between May 15 and July 15. Please submit proposals to Eric Cova, Director of Communications (ecova@smartgrowthamerica.org) by April 18, 2024.

Overview

Dangerous by Design​ ranks and identifies the most dangerous places for people to walk in the U.S., illustrating to policymakers at all levels the scope of the problem, and how the design of our streets is a key contributor, and what can be done to reverse this trend. Previous versions of this report have been covered widely in national media, including The Today Show, CBS This Morning, the New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Bloomberg, USA Today, and Fast Company, to name a few. At the metro/regional level, the report release generates ample coverage from daily newspapers, television and radio stations, and other local outlets during release and throughout the year. You can read the most recent version of Dangerous by Design (2022). This 2024 release will be similar in terms of content and messaging, albeit with some changes in the format, structure, and cadence of the report release.

Scope of work

The scope is focused on three key areas:

• Provide feedback on the report content and SGA’s rollout and release strategy to improve its effectiveness.
• Build a media release list and provide the capacity to handle the bulk of national and regional/metro media pitching and helping to coordinate interviews with SGA staff.
• Help shape and administer a media-only briefing about the findings on the day of the release.

Specific tasks are likely to include:

• Planning, coordination and implementation of outreach to national media outlets, including pitching the release of the report and/or help placing opinion pieces (authored by SGA).
• Planning, coordination, and implementation of outreach to a selection of regional/metro media markets in the top 20 (*worst) metro areas to pitch the release of the report.
• Planning, coordination, and implementation of outreach to a selection of regional/metro media markets in the top 20 (*worst) states to pitch the release of the report.
• Managing and implementing a media-only conference call on the findings on the morning of the report’s release.
• Managing the intake of reporter inquiries and helping to schedule interviews with Smart Growth America.
• Providing advice on SGA strategy and content for social media.
• Producing a detailed post-action summary report with details on reach, clips, etc.

Coordination

Smart Growth America will host a kick-off call with the contractor to discuss the project. Smart Growth America will work closely with the selected team to develop messaging, press releases, and media lists to support the release. A draft of the initial report will be ready by early May.

Budget

Up to $15,000 is budgeted for this contract. Cost will be considered as part of the proposal assessment. We do not expect to need travel or other reimbursements in this contract.

Preferred qualifications:

• Relationships with national media contacts working on transportation, safety, and/or public health issues.
• Some familiarity with transportation or land use issues.
• Demonstrated history of success with similar landmark report releases.
• Access to a media contacts library of some kind (Meltwater, Cision, etc.)

Proposal submission:

Interested applicants should submit in an email to Eric Cova at ecova@smartgrowthamerica.org​ by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on April 18, 2024:

• A brief letter of interest
• Please Include your DUNS number if applicable
• A short narrative, technical proposal
• List of references
• Key staff
• Proposed budget

Send any questions to ecova@smartgrowthamerica.org

About SGA

Smart Growth America (SGA) is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing equitable, sustainable land use, development, and transportation. The organization empowers communities through technical assistance, advocacy, and thought leadership to create livable places, healthy people, and shared prosperity. We work with elected officials at all levels, real estate developers, chambers of commerce, transportation, and urban planning professionals, and residents to improve everyday life for people across the country through better development.

About the National Complete Streets Coalition

The National Complete Streets Coalition, a program of Smart Growth America, is a non-profit, non-partisan alliance of public organizations, professionals, and advocates committed to the development and implementation of Complete Streets policies and practices.