
Empowering Communities: MecklenburgCounty's COVID-19 Awareness Campaign
Mecklenburg County Public Health embarked on a critical mission with the "COVID-19" campaign, designed to address the specific needs of lower-income African American and Hispanic populations in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. The primary objective of this campaign was to raise awareness about COVID-19 vaccines, ultimately encouraging these underserved communities to access resources available through local immunization clinics. To bridge gaps in healthcare access and foster a sense of trust and comfort, our approach encompassed the creation of a relatable, culturally sensitive campaign. A notable facet was the delivery of assets in both English and Spanish to ensure inclusivity and accessibility. Through this initiative, we aimed to inform and engage the target audience in a manner that conveyed essential information with empathy and understanding. In this case study, we explore the strategies, execution, and outcomes of this vital campaign that played a pivotal role in safeguarding these communities against the ongoing threat of COVID-19.
SERVICES
DIGITAL/SOCIAL | RADIO | TV | PRINT | OOH | STREAMING

Our Unique Approach
To overcome the complex challenges presented by the "COVID-19" campaign, our approach revolved around the core values of family, caring, and understanding. We recognized that our messaging needed to resonate deeply with the lower-income African-American and Hispanic communities in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. Sensitivity was our guiding principle, ensuring that our language was not only informative but also comforting, reassuring, and empathetic.
Challenge:
Navigating Cultural Barriers and Misinformation
The "COVID-19" campaign encountered a multifaceted set of challenges, prominently centered on addressing the distinctive needs of lower-income African American and Hispanic communities within Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. Crafting messages that authentically resonated with these communities required meticulous consideration of cultural nuances, historical context, and various barriers to healthcare access. Moreover, the campaign faced the pervasive challenge of misinformation circulating within these communities, particularly concerning COVID-19 vaccines. This presented a nuanced obstacle that demanded careful attention, considering the historical treatment of these communities in previous vaccine initiatives, contributing to existing mistrust.
The overarching goal remained steadfast: to empower and encourage individuals in these underserved communities to seek vaccinations and adopt best health practices during family gatherings and events. To achieve this, it was imperative to not only foster a sense of safety and confidence in vaccine uptake but also to address hesitancy rooted in historical experiences. Equally important was ensuring that the target audience was well-informed about the availability of Mecklenburg County Public Health immunization clinics, strategically positioned to alleviate barriers to access and further enhance the campaign's impact.
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Solution:
Crafting Empathetic Messaging and Relatable Campaign Elements
To drive home the message that COVID-19 does not discriminate and can affect anyone, we introduced the poignant tagline, "COVID Doesn't Care, But We Do." This tagline served as a unifying message, emphasizing the importance of collective action in the face of the pandemic. A pivotal aspect of our strategy was the intentional creation of assets directly in Spanish. Recognizing the profound significance of representation, especially for the Hispanic community, we took deliberate steps to ensure a genuine connection to the campaign. Our team members, who are integral parts of the Hispanic community, played a central role in crafting the messaging, going beyond mere translation to create content that would authentically resonate and be well-received. This comprehensive approach extended to curating relatable imagery and aligning with Mecklenburg County's brand guidelines, all while infusing a modern and engaging visual identity.
The result was a campaign that not only heightened awareness but also cultivated a profound sense of belonging and safety within these communities. This intentional strategy successfully propelled individuals to actively seek out crucial healthcare resources, including vaccinations and essential COVID-19 information.
We employed a multi-faceted strategy that leveraged a mix of traditional and digital media channels, ensuring a comprehensive outreach approach. The campaign's creative materials and tactics were meticulously crafted to capture the attention of the target audiences, including essential workers and the communities disproportionately affected by health disparities. The messaging maintained consistency across pre-, during, and post-holiday seasons to maximize impact. By strategically partnering with local media outlets such as Black and Spanish newspapers, radio stations, and TV networks, the campaign aimed to tap into the trustworthy messengers and media sources that these communities relied on for information.
Results and Outcomes:
The "COVID-19" campaign emerged as a vital initiative tailored to address the specific needs of lower-income African American and Hispanic populations in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County. With the primary goal of increasing awareness about COVID-19 vaccines and encouraging access to resources through local immunization clinics, the campaign unfolded as a beacon of public health in underserved communities. The campaign achieved a remarkable cumulative total of 42,051,498 estimated impressions across various media types. Leveraging a mix of traditional and digital channels, including radio, transit, digital/social, TV, print, and more, our multi-faceted strategy ensured a comprehensive outreach. The campaign materials, consistent throughout pre-, during, and post-holiday seasons, strategically partnered with local media outlets, aligning with the trustworthy messengers and media sources valued by these communities.
Radio
5,357,056
TV/Spectrum
77,732
1,517,968
Transit
6,320,000
TV/Telemundo
176,000
Mall
9,750,000
Digital/Social
6,506,891
Gas Station
12,155,850
CUMMULATIVE TOTAL
42,051,498
QCity Metro
124,162
Movie Advertising
746,712
